What is root beer made of

Even though these brews do not share a name, they are the same — both crafted over three days using real liquorice root, sarsaparilla root, molasses and vanilla beans. In fact, no matter what the brew is called, it was brewed right here in our hometown of Bundaberg, Australia to the exact same recipe. While Root Beer and Sarsaparilla might be alternate names for the same Bundaberg brew, traditionally speaking, they are two different drinks that have a separate and distinct history.

So, we decided to have a look back through the history books…. Both beverages are named after their distinct differences in ingredients when they were first made. Sarsaparilla was made from the Sarsaparilla vine, while Root Beer, roots of the sassafras tree.

These days, Root Beer recipes do not include sassafras as the plant has been found to cause serious health issues. The vine was banned by the American Food and Drug Administration for commercial food production in While they can appear similar and often be confused, there has always been a difference between the beverages, traditionally Sarsaparilla was made from the sarsaparilla root alone.

The extract made from sarsaparilla root has a slightly bitter flavour profile, which is why most producers now include ingredients like liquorice to try and reduce the bold flavour. He should then add 1 tablespoon The root beer should then be allowed to ferment as in the herb-based recipe. Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer.

Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors. Mary McMahon. Please enter the following code:. Login: Forgot password? The root beer recipe is simple enough.

It consists of sugar, yeast, water, and flavorings of choice, left to ferment for natural fizziness. And though the FDA has eliminated sassafras from commercial use, it's apparent that plenty of people still reach for sassafras to get the authentic, traditional root beer flavor they crave in what they make at home. One recipe suggested using sassafras, sarsaparilla, ginger, licorice, and dandelion root. For those adventurous enough to add sassafras to the pot, ground wild sassafras root bark is readily available for purchase by Etsy sellers for a few dollars less than the artificial extracts.

True root beer aficionados describe foraging for the bushy sassafras tree's roots, which can be harvested along the roadside or in the woods across the east coast of America, where they like to sit in the shade of taller trees.

Aside from the sassy sassafras root, there are many ways to flavor your homemade root beer. Being armed with the knowledge of some of the secrets behind this tasty pop's delicious, authentic flavor will hopefully help you to more steadfastly pick your poison. By Jessica Delfino August 17, How an indigenous medicine became a soda fountain classic.

Root beer is a drink so American it predates the formation of the United States, and while it may be closest tied to a scoop of vanilla ice cream today, it actually began as a medicinal drink.