Root beer is a beloved beverage the world over, but many people don’t know the origin of this unique drink. Root beer was first created in the 19th century and has been a popular beverage ever since.
There are many different varieties out there, and the taste can vary depending on where you get it from.
Some people prefer to create their own at home, which can be a fun way to relax after a long day. While there are many different ingredients that contribute to the flavor of root beer, some of the most important ones include sassafras and anise.
The Origin of Root Beer
The first root beers were made by early American colonists using a variety of roots and spices. These brews were often alcoholic and used as medicinal tonics. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that root beer became the non-alcoholic, carbonated beverage we know today.
The earliest recorded recipe for root beer comes from Charles Hires, a Philadelphia pharmacist, in 1866. Hires sold his extract at country fairs before bottling and selling it commercially. His was just one of many brands of root beer that sprang up during the root beer boom of the 1890s.
These early root beers were made by steeping sassafras roots in water and then adding sugar and yeast to create carbonation. Sassafras was eventually replaced by other ingredients like wintergreen, ginger, anise, and vanilla because it was found to be a carcinogen.
Modern root beers no longer contain sassafras or any other medicinal ingredients, but they do still contain extractions from sassafras bark, wintergreen leaves, anise seeds, vanilla beans, nutmeg kernels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and/or ginger rhizomes. These extracts give root beer its signature flavor. many people also add vanilla or chocolate to their root beer for extra sweetness.
During Prohibition, when alcohol was banned in the United States, root beer became even more popular since it was one of the few beverages still available that had a bit of a kick to it. After Prohibition ended in 1933, root beer’s popularity continued to rise.
Today, root beer is enjoyed all over the world and can be found in grocery stores and food trucks, at restaurants, festivals, sporting events, and even at home. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, there’s always a chance of finding a refreshing glass of root beer nearby!
Did root beer use to be alcoholic?
The early version of the drink was made by steeping roots, barks, and berries in water, then leaving the mixture to ferment for several weeks. While the fermentation process did produce a small amount of alcohol, it wasn’t enough to get anyone drunk.
Modern-Day Root Beer
These days, most commercially-available root beers are completely non-alcoholic. However, there are still a few brands that brew their root beer using traditional methods – which means that these types of root beers can contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume.
Whether you prefer a classic or craft brand, there are many different varieties of root beer to choose from. Some people even like to experiment with making their own at home, which can be a fun way to relax and unwind after a long day’s work.
How Root Beer Lost Its Alcohol Content
In order to promote the abolishment of alcohol, many breweries created non-alcoholic versions of their products. This is how root beer transformed into the kid-friendly beverage it is today.
Despite the absence of alcohol, root beer is still a beloved beverage that many people enjoy all around the world. Whether you’re grabbing a bottle at the store, ordering it at your favorite restaurant, or brewing a batch in your own kitchen, there’s always something to look forward to.
There’s no denying that root beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world, enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you’re sipping a classic brand at the ballpark or brewing your own batch from scratch in your kitchen, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing root beer on a hot day.
