How to Make Root Beer

Craft a Brew’s sweet & spicy Root Beer botanical blend features Sarsaparilla, Burdock Root, Birch Bark, Star Anise, Ginger Root, Cinnamon, Juniper Berries & more.

Perfect for making Root Beer thanks to its rich color and subtle molasses flavor.

This mostly non-fermentable sugar helps give a homemade Root Beer a full body & creamy mouthfeel

A packet of yeast is included in our Root Beer Kit. You can use it to carbonate your Root Beer (yeast convert sugars into carbon dioxide).

Added to your root beer syrup to add a little sweetness.

• Salt helps to enhance all the flavors in your homemade root beer - trust us!

If you prefer, you can make a glass of Root Beer by combining your homemade root beer syrup with seltzer water.

Makes transferring the root beer into bottles easy and mess-free.

Allows you to steep your botanicals and keep sediment out of your finished soda.

Our kit includes 2 special pressure-release bottle caps designed specifically for carbonating your soda.

If you choose to carbonate your root beer using yeast, you’ll need to source 2 plastic 2L soda bottles. Your homemade soda should NOT be carbonated in glass beer bottles.

A sturdy pot - at least 2 quart capacity – for boiling your root beer ingredients and extracting their flavors.

Helps dissolve sugar and blend ingredients thoroughly.

Accurate measurements are important!

Root beer starts with a homemade syrup made from a blend of root beer ingredients, including botanicals, natural sweeteners, and vanilla. Our Root Beer Making Kit provides two ways to brew your syrup:

• Standard Method – A quick and simple process that produces a lighter, classic root beer flavor.
• Advanced Caramelization Method (Optional) – A technique that caramelizes sugar for a darker color and a richer, deeper flavor.

Both methods will result in a delicious homemade root beer, so feel free to choose based on your preference!

1. Heat the Water – In a medium stockpot, bring 4 cups (32 oz) of water to a boil.
2. Prepare the Botanicals – Place the Root Beer Botanicals into the provided steeping bag and tie the top in a knot.
3. Steep the Botanicals – Once the water reaches a boil, remove the pot from heat and add the bag of botanicals. Submerge the bag fully using a spoon and cover the pot with a lid. Let the mixture steep for 15 minutes.

Strain the Botanicals – After steeping, remove the bag from the pot, squeeze out any remaining liquid, and discard the solids. You have now created Root Beer “Tea”, the flavorful base of your syrup.

1. Measure the Sugar – Add ½ cup of Demerara Sugar to a small saucepan, creating an even layer.
2. Add Water – Pour 2 tablespoons (1 fl oz) of water over the sugar.
3. Heat the Sugar – Place the pan over medium heat and let the mixture bubble without stirring. After about 5 minutes, the sugar will begin to darken and smell like caramel.
4. Simmer Until Dark Brown – If the color isn't dark enough, allow it to cook for another 1-3 minutes.
5. Add More Water – Carefully pour 3 tablespoons (1.5 fl oz) of water into the pan. Cover immediately, as the mixture will steam. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes before stirring.

Remove from Heat – Stir the caramelized sugar until smooth and set it aside for the next step.

1. Reheat the Root Beer Tea – Bring the strained root beer tea back to medium-high heat.
2. Add Ingredients – Stir in ½ teaspoon of salt, the provided maltodextrin, and the remaining Demerara Sugar(or caramelized sugar from Step 2).
3. Simmer the Syrup – Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until fully dissolved.
4. Cool the Syrup – Remove the pot from heat and let it cool uncovered until it reaches room temperature (about 30+ minutes). The mixture should be lukewarm to the touch before proceeding.
5. Add Vanilla – Stir in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract once cooled.

You now have freshly brewed root beer syrup! If you’re not using it immediately, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

For a quick and easy root beer, mix your syrup with store-bought seltzer water or use a SodaStream® machine to create fizzy root beer instantly.

How to Make Instant Root Beer:

1. In a glass, combine 1 part Root Beer Syrup with 3 parts seltzer water (adjust ratio to taste).
2. Stir gently and enjoy immediately!

This method is perfect if you want to enjoy root beer right away without waiting for fermentation.

If you prefer an authentic, old-fashioned root beer, you can naturally carbonate it using yeast. This method takes 12-24 hours and creates small, frothy bubbles for a traditional feel.

How to Naturally Carbonate Root Beer:

1. Prepare Bottles – Only use two 2-liter plastic soda bottles for this process. DO NOT use glass bottles, as pressure buildup can cause them to explode.
2. Mix the Root Beer Base – In a sanitized container, combine:

• Your brewed Root Beer Syrup
• Filtered or spring water to bring the total volume to 4 liters
• 1/4 teaspoon of yeast (provided in the kit)

1. Bottle the Root Beer – Use a funnel to pour the mixture into the plastic bottles, leaving about 2 inches of headspace at the top. Cap tightly.
2. Let the Bottles Sit at Room Temperature – Store in a dark place at room temperature (68-75°F) for 12-24 hours to allow natural carbonation to develop.
3. Monitor Carbonation – Gently squeeze the bottles every few hours. When the bottles feel firm, refrigeration is required to stop further fermentation.
4. Refrigerate and Enjoy! – Once carbonation is complete, place the bottles in the fridge for at least 12 hours before serving. Your naturally carbonated root beer is now ready!

Since yeast is used for natural carbonation, it does create a small amount of alcohol as a byproduct of fermentation. However, if bottled and refrigerated within 24 hours, the alcohol content remains below 0.5% ABV—similar to kombucha.

If you want zero alcohol, simply use the seltzer water method instead of yeast fermentation.

Our Root Beer Making Kit yields 32 oz of Root Beer Syrup, which makes approximately 130 oz of finished, fizzy root beer. You can carbonate your root beer in two 2-liter bottles (which you’ll need to source) or mix the syrup with store-bought seltzer for instant root beer on demand.

Root Beer Syrup: Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks in a sealed container.

Carbonated Bottles: If you naturally carbonate your root beer in 2-liter bottles, we recommend consuming it within 1 week. If left in the fridge beyond that time, over-carbonation can occur, leading to increased pressure in the bottles. Additionally, the yeast may continue fermenting, slightly increasing the alcohol content and altering the flavor.

No, this kit is NOT designed or intended for creating alcoholic root beer.

Natural Carbonation Method: If you carbonate your root beer using yeast, it will produce trace amounts of alcohol (a natural byproduct of fermentation). When following the instructions properly, the alcohol level remains extremely low—less than 0.05%.

Seltzer Carbonation Method: If you want to completely eliminate any trace of alcohol, use the seltzer method instead of yeast fermentation. Simply mix your root beer syrup with store-bought carbonated water for instant fizz.

We recommend using empty plastic soda bottles to naturally carbonate your root beer. You can purchase two 2-liter bottles of club soda or seltzer, drink them, and reuse the empties.

Avoid glass bottles or mason jars, as pressure from carbonation can cause them to explode.

If you don’t have bottles right away, store your Root Beer Syrup in a sealed container in the fridge until you’re ready to bottle.

Yes! If you naturally carbonate your root beer in 2-liter bottles, you may notice yeast sediment settling at the bottom. This is completely normal and safe to consume.

To avoid getting sediment in your glass:

• Pour slowly and leave the last inch of liquid in the bottle.
• If any sediment makes it into your glass, don’t worry—it’s harmless and won’t affect the taste.

Yes! You can use half of your Root Beer Syrup to carbonate in a 2-liter bottle and store the other half for making instant root beer with seltzer water. This allows you to experiment with both carbonation methods and extend the shelf life of your homemade root beer.

• Carbonated bottles should be consumed within 1 week.
• Uncarbonated syrup can be stored in the fridge for 6 weeks.

For more troubleshooting tips and expert advice, visit our Root Beer Making FAQs:

• Freeze a mug for 10 minutes before assembling. Pour 12 oz of cold homemade root beer into the frozen mug. Top with 1-2 scoops of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate frothy, creamy treat. Try it with different ice cream flavors like chocolate, caramel, or cinnamon for a unique twist!

• Add a shot of bourbon, spiced rum, or vanilla vodka to a glass of chilled homemade root beer for a delicious boozy soda. Mix root beer with Baileys Irish Cream and serve over ice for a creamy, dessert-style cocktail. Combine with root beer schnapps for an extra punch of old-fashioned flavor.

• Brew a strong cup of cold brew coffee and mix it with homemade root beer syrup for a lightly sweet, caffeinated twist. Add ice and cream for a creamy, soda-inspired iced coffee. Try topping with whipped cream and cinnamon for a decadent treat!

• Drizzle root beer syrup over vanilla ice cream for an instant root beer-flavored dessert. Mix syrup into a vanilla milkshake for a root beer milkshake. Swirl into whipped cream for a root beer-infused topping for pies, cakes, or sundaes.

• Pour 12 oz of homemade root beer into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Add frozen root beer cubes to a blender along with another 12 oz of chilled root beer and a handful of ice cubes. Blend until slushy and serve immediately with a straw or spoon.