Description
Learn how to make delicious homemade root beer using natural ingredients and a simple fermentation process. This recipe yields a refreshing beverage that captures the classic flavors of traditional root beer.
Ingredients
Scale
Root Beer Base:
- 8 cups filtered water
- 1/2 cup sassafras root bark (dried)
- 1/4 cup sarsaparilla root (optional)
- 1 tablespoon dried ginger root
- 1 tablespoon licorice root
- 1 cinnamon stick
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar or 1/2 cup honey
- 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast (for fermentation)
Instructions
- Prepare the Root Beer Base: In a large pot, combine water, sassafras root, sarsaparilla root, ginger, licorice root, and cinnamon. Boil, then simmer for 20–30 minutes. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid.
- Add Sweeteners: Stir in brown sugar (or honey) and vanilla extract until dissolved.
- Complete the Mixture: Cool the liquid, add yeast, and gently stir. Pour into bottles, leaving headspace.
- Ferment: Cap bottles and let sit at room temperature for 2–3 days, checking pressure daily.
- Refrigerate and Serve: Once carbonated, refrigerate and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Use plastic bottles for safety and monitoring pressure.
- Omit yeast for a non-fermented version with sparkling water.
- Use sassafras in moderation from culinary-grade sources.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Fermentation
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
