Root beer is one of the trendiest drinks among the young generation. Also, revived endorsement from famous influencers has made root beer comeback better than ever.
How would you respond if someone asks you to describe the taste of root beer? Scratching head? We get it!
The truth? There is no particular recipe for root beer; it varies from brand to brand. Either you are a big fan of it, or it’s the other way around.
So how does it taste? Root beer is distinct from its competitors; it is sweet, exhibiting hints of salt and a bitter undertone.
Nevertheless, nutmeg, vanilla, molasses, licorice, anise, sarsaparilla, and mint are some of the standout tastes of root beer.
Let’s get to the root of this popular drink!
Albeit root beer is a carbonated drink, traditionally, it was made with a root bark of sarsaparilla or sassafras tree, licorice roots, ginger root, and wintergreen leaf.
Nonetheless, most of the products today are made using either root beer extract, essence, or syrup – all artificial ingredients.
So what makes it different from other competitors? It’s the foamy texture and bold flavor – just like the real ‘beers.’
But did you know root beer is usually non-alcoholic? Yes, it doesn’t taste at all like the ‘usual’ beers.
Thus, nothing beats the joy of gulping a non-alcoholic, caffeine-free, bold, and fizziness of root beer on a hot summery day.
Absolutely! Don’t know what goes into the quest of making an authentic root beer without artificial additives? Fret not; we have your back!
Here’s how you can make one for yourself and your loved ones:
Nevertheless, this method excludes carbonation. So what makes the drink fizzy? It’s the yeast that creates bubbles during the fermentation process, making it a fizzy drink.
Unlike other regular beers, root beer is a little on the sweeter end. However, the taste solely depends on the brand you are opting for.
It can either be minty or something with a hint of herbal cola. Regardless of that, expect it to be either sweet or spicy.
Root beer has a strong hint of sweetness, but you would notice a strong bitter and salty flavor coming through.
Yes, you are right salt act as the flavor enhancement that you would add to balance the boldness of sarsaparilla root bark.
While mint is one of the prominent flavors you would find in almost every beer. However, cherry bark, licorice, nutmeg, cinnamon, honey, sweet birch, and vanilla extract are some of the flavors that manufacturers use to enhance the taste.
All-in-all, it has an infusion of yeasty flavors and doesn’t taste like regular beers.
Of course not! Wondering why? It’s because root beer has no one specific recipe; people add additives to enhance the flavor of the root beer.
What’s more, the ingredients and recipes used by different manufacturers to make root beer are not the same. So you can never actually compare the flavors of different root beers.
You see, some people love munching on papaya and describe it as refreshing and rich, while others find it bland. Hence, taste buds are unique, and it varies from person to person.
No, it doesn’t taste like regular beer. Perhaps there might have been similarities when root beer was once made using fermented sarsaparilla.
Although you can make both alcoholic and non-alcoholic root beer, it doesn’t have the same flavoring agents as that of usual beers.
Also, beers are usually malty and hoppy, whereas root beer is minty that has hints of licorice, sarsaparilla, spices, etc.
Hence, if you are looking for something earthy, refreshing, and bold – Root beer is your go-to drink.
Do you think a drink made using natural ingredients can make you drunk? Well, of course not! Root beer made using traditional processes has about 2% alcoholic content only.
However, you can add additives to make it more alcoholic, but traditional root beer can’t get you drunk.
Honestly, there is no healthier version of soda. However, root beer is made using natural ingredients like honey, sassafras, molasses, etc., making it a healthier option than other soda drinks.
What’s more, root beer has less sugar and caffeine in it – a ‘win-win’ situation.
Disclaimer: by no means are we saying root beer is the safest alternative to soda; always remember excess of everything is bad!
Is It Safe to Drink Root Beer?
Root beer is made using sassafras root, which has a toxin substance, ‘safrole’ that causes cancer. Hence, it is illegal to use sassafras in the United States of America for the commercial production of root beer.
But the number of sugary items we ingest in our daily life could be poisonous for us – no? So, how to go about it? Thus, at the end of the day, moderation is the key to a healthy lifestyle.
It is always recommended to read the label on the back side of the product so you can always make a conscious decision for yourself.
So what does root beer taste like? Probably nothing like you have been consuming so far – hard to digest? Go, grab a bottle, and see for yourself.
In a nutshell, root beer is bitter, earthy, sweet, and minty. However, the taste solely depends on the ingredients and recipes used to make root beer.