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Ingredients
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Base Ingredients
Flavoring Ingredients
Carbonation
Method
Preparation of Base
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat.
- 2
Add Sugars
Once the water is boiling, add 2 cups of brown sugar and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir until fully dissolved.
- 3
Cool the Mixture
Remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Flavoring the Base
- 4
Add Flavoring Ingredients
Once the mixture is cooled, add 2 tablespoons of sarsaparilla root, 1 tablespoon of wintergreen leaves, 1 tablespoon of licorice root, 1 tablespoon of birch bark, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 whole cloves, and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg.
- 5
Steep the Mixture
Cover the pot and let the mixture steep for about 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- 6
Strain the Mixture
After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solid ingredients, leaving only the flavored syrup.
Fermentation
- 7
Activate Yeast
In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of yeast with a little warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- 8
Combine Mixtures
Add the activated yeast and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the strained syrup. Stir well to combine.
- 9
Ferment
Transfer the mixture to a clean fermentation bottle or jar, leaving some space at the top. Seal the bottle and let it ferment at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours.
Final Touches
- 10
Add Carbonated Water
After fermentation, gently open the bottle to release excess pressure. Then, add 1 liter of carbonated water to the fermented mixture and stir gently.
- 11
Serve
Serve chilled over ice, and enjoy your homemade root beer!
