How to Brew Root Beer at Home with Real Ingredients
Learning how to brew root beer at home is a fun, hands-on way to create a classic soda using real ingredients instead of artificial syrups or extracts. Long before commercial sodas existed, root beer was brewed from roots, spices, and herbs, then lightly fermented or carbonated for a smooth, creamy finish.
This guide walks through how to make root beer naturally, explains the traditional brewing process, and shows how to create homemade root beer with real ingredients using an easy, beginner-friendly approach.
TL;DR: How to Brew Root Beer at Home
You can make root beer from scratch using real botanicals, natural sweeteners, and simple carbonation methods.
- Root beer is brewed from roots, herbs, and spices
- Real sugars create body, sweetness, and mouthfeel
- Carbonation can be natural or instant
- The process is approachable and beginner-friendly
- Fresh root beer is best enjoyed young
With clean equipment and a little patience, homemade root beer without artificial flavors is easy to make and customize.
A Brief History of Root Beer
Root beer does not come from a single recipe. Historically, it was brewed from the bark of the sassafras tree or the sarsaparilla vine, along with whatever roots, herbs, and spices were locally available. Early versions often included birch bark, ginger, dandelion root, licorice, juniper, hops, molasses, and vanilla.
Root beer belongs to a family of beverages known as “small beers,” which also includes ginger beer and birch beer. These drinks were brewed in regions where barley was not always accessible, using plants instead of grains to build flavor.
By the 1800s, root beer was commonly sold as a syrup or extract in pharmacies and soda fountains, meant to be mixed or brewed at home. Brewing it yourself today is a nod to that same old-fashioned tradition.
What Is Root Beer Made From?
At its core, root beer starts as a brewed botanical tea that is sweetened and carbonated.
Traditional Root Beer Botanicals
Authentic root beer flavor comes from a layered blend of roots, spices, and bark. Craft-style recipes often include:
- Burdock root
- Sarsaparilla root
- Sassafras root bark
- Birch bark
- Dandelion root
- Ginger root
- Licorice root
- Cinnamon chips
- Star anise
- Fennel seeds
- Juniper berries
This combination creates the sweet, spicy, earthy flavor that defines classic root beer.
Brewing Root Beer vs Mixing Soda Syrup
Most commercial root beer is made by carbonating water and adding artificial flavoring. Brewing root beer at home takes a very different approach.
- Flavor is extracted naturally from real ingredients
- Sweetness and spice can be adjusted to taste
- The soda develops depth and complexity
- Carbonation can be natural or instant
This method creates a more traditional, craft-style soda closer to how root beer was originally made.
How to Brew Root Beer at Home Step by Step
While there are many variations of DIY root beer recipes, the overall process follows a simple structure.
Step 1: Brew the Root Beer Base
Root beer botanicals are steeped in hot water to extract flavor, creating a deeply aromatic botanical tea.
Step 2: Sweeten and Build Mouthfeel
Sugars do more than add sweetness. They shape mouthfeel and balance spice.
In Craft a Brew’s Root Beer Kit, we use:
- Demerara sugar for subtle molasses notes and richer color
- Maltodextrin for a creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel without excessive sweetness
Together, these sugars replicate the texture of classic soda shop root beer.
Step 3: Cool Before Carbonating
Allow the root beer base to cool to room temperature before carbonating. Adding yeast to hot liquid can prevent carbonation and dull flavors.
Step 4: Root Beer Carbonation at Home
There are two common ways to carbonate homemade root beer.
Option 1: Instant Carbonation (Recommended)
Root beer syrup can be mixed with seltzer water for immediate results.
- Fast and easy
- No fermentation required
- Longest shelf life for syrup
- Perfect for pouring fresh glasses anytime
Option 2: Natural Root Beer Fermentation
Fermented root beer uses a small amount of yeast to naturally carbonate the soda.
- Creates smooth, creamy bubbles
- Mimics historic soda-making methods
- Produces extremely low alcohol
Bottles must be monitored closely, as yeast continues working until chilled.
Is Root Beer Alcoholic?
Naturally fermented root beer contains very little alcohol, typically well under 1% ABV. Refrigeration slows fermentation dramatically.
For zero alcohol, instant carbonation is the best option.
How Long Does Homemade Root Beer Last?
- Syrup (refrigerated): up to 6 weeks
- Bottle-carbonated root beer (refrigerated): about 1 week
- Best flavor: within the first week
Homemade root beer is meant to be enjoyed fresh, just as it was historically.
Why Brew Root Beer with Real Ingredients?
- No artificial syrups or extracts
- Adjustable spice and sweetness
- Creamy mouthfeel from traditional sugars
- A true from-scratch brewing experience
Using real ingredients transforms soda-making into a creative, hands-on craft.
Brewing Root Beer at Home the Craft Way
Learning how to brew root beer at home with real ingredients connects you to one of the oldest soda traditions. With real roots, natural sugars, and simple carbonation methods, you can create root beer that tastes fresher and more complex than store-bought versions.
- A curated blend of authentic botanicals
- Demerara sugar and maltodextrin for classic flavor
- Flexible carbonation options
- Beginner-friendly instructions
Whether you keep it classic or experiment with spice and sweetness, brewing root beer from scratch is a rewarding way to turn your kitchen into a soda shop.
Shop Soda Kits | Explore Soda Recipes | Learn How to Make Soda
