Root Beer Recipe
Make Root Beer Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Syrup Base
Flavoring & Spice Blend
Acid & Finishing
To Assemble (per batch)
Method
Syrup Base
Make sugar syrup
Combine 2 cups water, dark brown sugar, white sugar, molasses, and maple syrup (if using) in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugars dissolve and mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Do not boil vigorously. Reduce heat to low.
Flavoring & Spice Blend
Prepare spice sachet
Place sarsaparilla root, birch bark (or extract), wintergreen (or extract), star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon), dried ginger, allspice berries, and orange peel into a small piece of cheesecloth and tie securely, or put them into a small fine-mesh tea infuser. If using concentrated extracts (birch/wintergreen), hold back adding them until after simmering (see below).
Steep and strain
Turn off the heat and let the syrup steep with the spices for an additional 10–15 minutes for deeper flavor. Remove the sachet or infuser and strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a heatproof bowl or jar to remove solids. Press gently to extract liquid but avoid forcing fine sediment through.
Finish flavoring
While the syrup is still warm, stir in vanilla extract. If you held back birch or wintergreen extracts, add them now a small amount at a time (start with 1/8–1/4 tsp) and taste — these extracts are potent. Add salt and fresh lemon juice, stir to combine. Taste and adjust: more lemon for brightness, more vanilla or molasses for depth, or a pinch more salt to round flavors.
To Assemble (per batch)