Make your own root beer from scratch using foraged sassafras roots.
In what has now become a yearly tradition, we gather sassafras roots for homemade root beer.
Homemade root beer is easy to make!
Elise Bauer
Root beer can be fermented, but my favorite method is what followskid-friendly, non-fermented, and non-alcoholic.
We found our sassafras plants right at the edge of the backyard where it met a wooded area.
Sassafras trees resemble young oak trees, but the key difference is in the leaves.
Sassafras Leaves.Elise Bauer
They smell just like root beer.
The seedlings tend to grow in clumps.
Look for seedlings a few feet high.
Alden next to a perfectly sized sassafras sapling, and my nephew Austin holding the root.Elise Bauer
They’ll be the easiest to pull and their roots the easiest to cut.
Pulling up the Roots
Pull up a seedling at the base.
But here’s the rub.
Elise Bauer
So remember my mom’s advice, “all things in moderation”.
Fermented or Not Fermented
Traditionally root beer is fermented, hence the word “beer”.
Our version is not fermented, but you could do that if you wanted to.
Elise Bauer
Here’s a blog post on Grow Forage Cook Ferment that you’re free to try.
Our version is much more simple.
Mix the syrup with soda water to make the root beer.
Elise Bauer
Cut the roots into 1/2-inch long pieces.
Cut up as much as you’re gonna wanna fill one cup.
Put the roots into a small pot and cover with 4 cups of water.
Elise Bauer
Add the cloves, anise seeds, allspice berries, and cinnamon stick.
Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer for 25 minutes.
and simmer for 5 minutes more.
Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve lined with a paper towel.
Rinse out the pot.
Return the liquid to the pot.
Add the sugar, heat until just a simmer and the sugar has dissolved.
Remove from the heat and let cool.
Add more soda water if you want it more diluted, add more syrup if you want it stronger.
It was formerly used as the main flavor ingredient in root beer.
The HERP value for average consumption of naturally-occurring safrole in spices is 0.03%.
