What Is Root Beer? And Why Is It Called Root Beer?

After a long day on the dusty trail, there’s nothing better than taking off your hat and chaps, sitting down at the bar, and ordering a tall glass of root beer. At least, that’s what old western movies would have us think. In those movies, it’s the good guy’s drink of choice as he sidles up to the bar and leers over at the bad guys playing cards. 

But what is root beer, really? And just where did root beer come from and what is root beer made of? Is root beer alcoholic? Settle down, partner, and I’ll tell you a story.

What is root beer made of?

Root beer gets its name and aromatic quality from its primary flavoring ingredient: the root of a sassafras tree. This tree is found in most of the Eastern United States and was often used by Indigenous tribes for its medicinal properties, treating wounds, infections, and fevers. These practices were also co-opted by European colonizers.

How is root beer made?

To make root beer, you whip up a simple syrup (sugar and water) and flavor it with sassafras. Then it’s bubble time. Early root beer makers added yeast to create bubbles—much in the same way that actual beer is made. Fermented yeast also creates alcohol, which accounts for the “beer” part of root beer. Early root beers did have some alcohol content, albeit less than traditional beer. 

As commercial soda production evolved, the yeast was replaced by carbonated water, effectively making root beer a non-alcoholic beverage, though you can still find hard root beer to this day (it had a trendy moment in the sun a decade or so ago). 

In 1960, the FDA banned the use of true sassafras in commercial products because the primary component, safarole, is carcinogenic. Modern root beer is usually made with artificial sassafras flavoring or the root or bark from a different plant.

When was root beer invented?

It’s widely believed that root beer was first invented in the 1840s. It was mostly sold in syrup form at candy stores, but would also be offered as a fizzy drink at saloons, since it had small amounts of alcohol. 

The first commercially available root beer was from my hometown of Philadelphia (Go Birds!). Charles Elmer Hires, a pharmacist by trade, began selling his non-alcoholic root beer to Pennsylvania miners in 1886. In less than a decade, Hire’s root beer was distributed nationwide.

Other early brands of root beers that are still around today include Barq’s, IBC, and A&W. Today, there are countless soda makers that specialize in root beer like Mug, Dad’s, Dang! That’s Good, Boylan, and Hank’s.

Does root beer have caffeine?

With the notable exception of Barq’s, most root beers are not caffeinated.The lack of caffeine is one of root beer’s benefits. In addition to its less sugary, herbaceous flavor, the fact that you can have one at a midnight movie and not be up until six in the morning makes it a preferred drink for early risers.

Root beer vs birch beer vs sarsaparilla

Now that we’ve established what root beer is, it is important to note the other botanical-based sodas out there. First, is birch beer. If root beer is made from sassafras tree root, then it stands to reason that birch beer is made from birch tree; in this case it’s the bark (specifically oil from the bark) and not the roots. In general, birch beers are less sweet than root beer. 

Sarsaparilla, while definitely the most fun to say, is functionally a birch/root beer combo, at least in the United States. The sarsaparilla plant is native to Central and South America, so it would not have been a common ingredient in North American soda-making. Instead, sarsaparilla was made of a combination of sassafras root and birch oil, and was initially created as a medicine, complete with patent. It’s far less common in America these days, but still popular in Central America and Southeast Asia.

Why is root beer called root beer?

Where does the name come from? Why is it called root beer? Well, the “root” part of the name is a reference to one of its primary ingredients: the root from the sassafras plant. The root is the primary source of the drink’s flavor.

The “beer” part of the name is because yeast was used in the early days to give the drink its bubbles—just like in beer making. Today, the yeast is replaced with carbonated water, but the name remains the same.

Is root beer alcoholic?

Most root beers you buy in the store are non-alcoholic. However, there are some brands out there that make a “hard” version that has added alcohol. Also, if you are brewing your own root beer at home, you can ferment it longer than usual and get a slight bit of alcohol in there.

What does root beer taste like?

One of my favorite places in Los Angeles is Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, a soda oasis that sells over 600 brands of soda. Fellow Sporked writer Jordan Myrick and I have visited there several times to get a sampler pack of root beers. The greatest thing about root beer is no two brands taste exactly alike.

When you drink a Coke, what you’re mostly getting is just sweetness. I love root beer because it is far more complex. While not as sweet, you are definitely getting more herbal, spicy notes that evoke things like vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, or molasses. It’s just the right amount of sweet and just the right amount of flavor for me.

How do you make a root beer float?

The last time I visited home, my mom had a four-pack of Stewart’s Root Beer waiting for me in the fridge. That’s because one of our favorite shared treats is a root beer float.

This is how the Field family makes their root beer floats. In a large, chilled glass, add 1-2 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream. Then, slowly, pour your preferred brand of root beer in the glass at a 45 degree angle to avoid a ton of foam. Serve with a spoon.

It’s simple and delicious. We’ve tried other kinds of ice cream, but the combination of vanilla and root beer can’t be beat. Treat yourself!