Every Halloween in middle school my teacher would put root beer in a big black cauldron with dry ice to make it look like a witches’ concoction. I loved how the dry ice would make a huge cloud over the cauldron. I seriously thought it was the coolest thing ever!
This isn’t a root beer where you just add root beer flavoring extract. No, this is really a “root beer” made from root bark, sassafras root bark. I didn’t take any process photos for you because it’s really easy to make. Basically you are making tea! This is definitely a “root beer” so don’t think you are getting the same as that fountain drink. This is a wonderful Fall drink and because of the herbs it is also healthy.
As you let the root beer ferment, make sure you put it in a cooler or someplace safe just in case a bottle decides to explode! When we were making this we had one explode during the middle of the night and it was frightening! We thought someone broke a window, instead there was a sticky mess and glass everywhere. It really did explode into a million pieces. That wasn’t very fun to clean up. You can also use a balloon with a pin hole to release the pressure as it ferments.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Sassafras Root Bark
- ½ teaspoon wintergreen leaf
- 1 cup organic sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 vanilla bean sliced open
- 2 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 3 quarts filtered water
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- yeast
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil and then steep the sassafras, wintergreen, vanilla, cloves, and star anise for 15 minutes.
- Strain out the ingredients with a cheesecloth or a strainer.
- Add the sugar and molasses and stir until dissolved.
- Stir in lime juice.
- Let the brew cool a bit just until warm and add the yeast.
- Pour into a glass flip top bottle and let sit at room temperature for a day.
