Beer Can Hill

The Dr. Kevorkian is a fairly new cocktail recipe. It has grown in popularity in bars in North America and the United Kingdom. Essentially, it is the combination of vodka and Dr. Pepper soda pop over ice.

The origin of this recipe is unknown by this author. The drink is most likely named after Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the American pathologist who was convicted of second degree murder in the late 1990s. Dr. Kevorkian claims that he assisted at least 130 people in committing suicide and prides himself in his “right-to-die” activism. He paroled from prison in June of 2007 on the condition that he not “help” any more patients.

The ingredients for a Kevorkian are as follows:

3 ounces (2 Shots or 12 counts) Vodka
5 ounces (less than half a 12 ounce can) Dr. Pepper

Some customers will simply order this drink as “a vodka and Dr. Pepper.” Depending on the type of establishment that you serve alcohol in, telling your customer that the drink is also called a Kevorkian is quite the handy conversational piece.

The Kevorkian should be served in either a Collins glass or a Rocks glass. A Collins glass typically holds 8 fluid ounces. A Rocks glass holds between 5 and 10 fluid ounces.

Fill the glass with ice. Pour the vodka over the ice and then fill the glass up with Dr. Pepper. Stir this mixture. This drink can be garnished with a lemon, lime, or cherry.

Always ask your customer if he prefers that you mix his drink with a specific brand of vodka. I have received positive feedback from customers when I’ve suggested and used Absolut Vodka, particularly the Citron, Kurant, and Peppar flavors.

Dr. Pepper that’s being poured from a can or bottle needs to be poured slowly. Use your discretion if your bar is stocked with Mr.Pibb or a generic form of Dr. Pepper and you have to use that instead. Regardless of its label, the soda pop you select needs to be cold prior to mixing it in to the liquor. If your Dr. Pepper comes from a beverage gun in your bar, then you may want to pre-chill the glass with ice water before mixing the drink. The cold pop keeps the vodka content from overpowering the drink’s flavor.

Because of its high alcohol-to-soda ratio, the Kevorkian is a strong drink. Some bartenders like embody the original Dr. Kevorkian by adding shots of Jack Daniels whiskey, Jagermeister liqueur, or Red Bull energy drink to this recipe. This is not really necessary because the vodka and Dr. Pepper already give the drink its unique flavor, and the recipe isn’t lacking alcohol content.

If your customer is noticeably intoxicated when he orders a Kevorkian you may want to hold back on the amount of vodka you pour in the glass. The drink can be just as courteously served with one shot of vodka in it as it can with two. Serving this drink to somebody who is already inebriated may cause them to either vomit all over your bar or pass out.

The Kevorkian cocktail is just as easy to make in your kitchen at home as it is behind the bar. Always serve it responsibly. Carrie Burrows is not responsible for anything you do while under the influence!

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