Barq's Root Beer Recipe
Make Barq's Root Beer Recipe in just 2h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Syrup Base
Flavoring Blend
Acid & Finishing
Method
Syrup Base
Make simple syrup
Combine 2 cups water, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugars dissolve and mixture barely simmers. Do not boil vigorously. Reduce heat and maintain a gentle simmer for 5 minutes to meld sugars. Remove from heat.
If using invert sugar or extra simple syrup for mouthfeel, stir in 2 tablespoons now until incorporated.
Flavoring Blend
Infuse spices and roots
Add root bark (sassafras or sarsaparilla), 2 whole star anise, 1 tablespoon dried black licorice, split vanilla bean (scrape seeds into the pot and add pod), 1 teaspoon lightly crushed coffee beans, 1 teaspoon sliced fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon dried orange peel, 1 teaspoon molasses, and a pinch of salt to the warm syrup in the saucepan.
Return saucepan to low heat and gently warm the syrup with the flavoring blend for 10–15 minutes, keeping it below a simmer so flavors steep without degrading delicate aromatics. Stir occasionally.
After steeping, remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature, tightly covered, for at least 30 minutes to further develop flavor.
Strain the cooled syrup through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean container, pressing gently on solids to extract liquid. Discard solids. Taste the syrup and adjust: add a little extra molasses (up to 1/2 tsp) for deeper caramel notes or a touch more licorice if desired.
Acid & Finishing
Brighten and carbonate
Stir 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice into the strained syrup. Chill the syrup thoroughly in the refrigerator until cold (1–2 hours) — cold syrup integrates better with carbonated water.
To serve, fill a tall glass with 1/2 cup ice. Add 2 tablespoons of the chilled root beer syrup (adjust 1–3 tablespoons to taste). Pour 1 cup (8 fl oz) very cold carbonated water over the syrup and gently stir once to combine, preserving carbonation.