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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Root beer

Root beer is a sweet, carbonated soft drink traditionally flavoured with roots, bark, herbs, and spices, especially sassafras and sarsaparilla.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Root beer is a sweet, carbonated soft drink with roots in North American tradition. It is flavoured with herbs, roots, and spices, and is typically non-alcoholic and caffeine-free.

What it is

Root beer is a carbonated soft drink traditionally flavoured with sassafras, sarsaparilla, vanilla, wintergreen, and other botanicals. Modern commercial versions are usually non-alcoholic and use sweeteners and artificial or natural flavourings to recreate the classic herbal taste. It is widely available in Canada as a familiar fountain and bottled beverage.

History and origins

Root beer originated in North America, where Indigenous peoples used sassafras and sarsaparilla for culinary and medicinal purposes. Over time, it evolved into a commercial soft drink with many regional and brand-specific recipes, becoming a staple of North American soda culture, including in Canada.

Key characteristics

Root beer has no single standard recipe; ingredients vary by brand. It is distinct from cola in flavour (herbal, wintergreen, vanilla vs. kola-citrus-spice) and is usually caffeine-free. Homemade fermented versions may contain trace alcohol, but store-bought root beer is non-alcoholic.

In short

  • Root beer has no single recipe; brands vary widely in ingredients.
  • Modern commercial root beer is non-alcoholic and caffeine-free.
  • Root beer is distinct from cola, with herbal and root-based flavours.
  • Originated in North America and is strongly associated with Canadian soft drink culture.
Canadian angle

Root beer is widely sold and consumed in Canada, where it is a familiar soft drink in grocery stores, restaurants, and fountain-service menus.

Quick questions

What is root beer made of?
Root beer is usually made from carbonated water, sweetener, and flavourings based on roots, bark, herbs, and spices. Common ingredients include sassafras, sarsaparilla, vanilla, wintergreen, licorice, cinnamon, and caramel notes.
Does root beer contain alcohol?
Most commercial root beer is non-alcoholic. Fermented homemade root beer can contain trace alcohol, depending on how long and how actively it ferments.
How is root beer different from cola?
Root beer is flavoured mainly with herbal and root-based notes such as sassafras, wintergreen, vanilla, and licorice, while cola is typically built around kola-inspired spice and citrus flavours. Cola also commonly contains caffeine, whereas root beer usually does not.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_beer
    Supports: Traditional and modern ingredients; no single standard recipe; common flavourings; general characteristics.
  2. Brewers Association / Homebrewers Association — https://homebrewersassociation.org/beyond-beer/root-beer-the-quintessential-american-soda/
    Supports: North American origin; Indigenous uses of sassafras and sarsaparilla; historical context; homebrew preparation.
  3. Difford's Guide — https://www.diffordsguide.com/beer-wine-spirits/category/270/root-beer
    Supports: Root beer as a sweetened carbonated beverage; origin and historical sassafras use.
  4. Allrecipes — https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-root-beer-8608095
    Supports: Commercial root beer ingredients; usually caffeine-free; sassafras flavour association.
  5. Craft a Brew — https://craftabrew.com/blogs/the-tap/how-to-brew-root-beer-at-home
    Supports: Traditional ingredients; fermentation; trace alcohol in naturally fermented root beer.