There are few things as American as apple pie, or baseball, but root beer might just be one of the most “American” beverages of all – perhaps even more so than Coca-Cola! This title is well-earned, as the origins of root beer are closely tied to the formation of the United States. Throughout history, many indigenous tribes of North America created their own root beverages using locally grown roots, barks, herbs and spices.
These pre-colonial drinks were heavily focused on the sarsaparilla root and sassafras tree, which are native to North and South America. These were primarily used for their medicinal properties, but when combined with other ingredients, like wintergreen, licorice, birch bark or burdock root, there most certainly was a culinary element to their development and consumption as well.
Most of these root beverage recipes were more akin to tea, than the carbonated soft drinks we associate root beer with today. These concoctions would spark the interest of many colonial settlers throughout the 19th century.
The need to create flavored beverages led to an explosion in the creation of “small beers” in the founding of our nation. These small batch brews used native plants, trees and their roots for unique flavors that were typically sourced from locally available plant species. Some of the beverages were alcoholic and some were non-alcoholic. These drinks included ginger beer, sarsaparilla, birch beer and root beer.
Sarsaparilla was a more bitter beverage and many consider it to be the grandfather of the modern root beer. But some people were looking to create something a little sweeter to drink, so many different concoctions were attempted, to varying degrees of success.
The experimentation with different ingredients led to a variety of flavor options, but one Philadelphia pharmacist would soon hone in on the most palatable recipe for root beer that would completely change the beverage world forever.
Traditional root beer was usually alcoholic, whereas modern root beer is rarely fortified with ethanol and is a favourite of kids everywhere.
Here are some of the best-selling root beers available today!
Dads Old Fashioned Root Beer is our best-selling root beer, and for good reason! Dad’s Root Beer is a classic American soda that has been fizzing up people’s taste buds since 1937. With its signature creamy and spicy flavor, Dads has developed a loyal following of root beer lovers everywhere!
Whether youre cracking open a cold one on a hot summer day or sipping it slowly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a classic root beer float, Dads is sure to put a smile on your face. So pop the top, take a sip, and taste the refreshing goodness of a true American icon!
Dublin Texas Root Beer
Dublin Texas Root Beer is a delicious bubbly elixir straight from our own home state! Made with pure cane sugar and a blend of secret spices, this root beer packs a flavorful punch thatll have you saying “yee-haw!” with every sip. Dubbed as the “little town with a big taste,” Dublin Bottling Works has been satisfying thirsty cowboys and cowgirls since 1891. So saddle up and grab a frosty mug of this deliciously unique root beer, and enjoy the taste of the Lone Star State in every sip!
Sprecher Root Beer has helped bring the taste of Wisconsin to the soda world. This award-winning, fire-brewed root beer is crafted with a special blend of different herbs, spices, and raw Wisconsin honey. These ingredients create a unique and complex flavor that will keep your customers coming back for more.
A craft soda afficionado’s dream, its the perfect accompaniment to a cheese plate, a bratwurst, or just about any of Wisconsin’s culinary delicacies! With a velvety smooth texture and a creamy head, Sprecher Root Beer is the ultimate comfort drink for any occasion. So grab an ice cold bottle, kick back, and let the flavor of Wisconsin wash over you!
The Rise and Fall of Root Beer in America!
FAQ
Did root beer used to have alcohol in it?
Did root beer ever have actual beer in it?
Was root beer originally fermented?
Why is root beer not alcoholic?
Where did root beer come from?
With a unique taste unlike any other soda and best served in a frosted glass, root beer traces its origins back to the colonial days of America, although it wasn’t commercially sold until the late 1800s. The name root beer may imply that the soda contains alcohol or is fermented like beer; however, neither is the case.
Does alcohol cause acid reflux?
It can affect the digestive tract with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and it is common when drinking too much, leading to acid reflux. This action can injure one’s health. Repeated reflux can cause gastric cancer and esophagus cancer.
Why is root beer called Root Beer?
The name root beer may imply that the soda contains alcohol or is fermented like beer; however, neither is the case. It was the sassafras root and sarsaparilla root that provided the flavor for the soft drink for decades until the FDA banned sassafras as an ingredient in packaged foods, per Portable Press.
What is root beer made of?
Root beer is a sweet North American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree Sassafras albidum or the vine of Smilax ornata (known as sarsaparilla, also used to make a soft drink, sarsaparilla) as the primary flavor. Root beer is typically, but not exclusively, non-alcoholic, caffeine -free, sweet, and carbonated.