Make One Gallon of Old Fashion Rootbeer

This recipe will make a one gallon batch of old fashion root beer.My previous post listed the flavoring root and barks that you will need.

Pour about two quarts of filtered water into a medium size pan.
Add 1/4 oz.dried sassafras root bark. (optional)
Add 1/4 oz. dried birch bark
Add 1/4 oz. dried sarsaparilla root
Add 1/8 oz. dried licorice root.
Add about 1 or 2 inches of unpeeled fresh ginger root, thinly sliced.
Add one 5 inch vanilla bean. Or use approx. 1/4 tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Bring to boil. Remove from heat and let steep for about 2 hours.
Strain this mixture through a cheesecloth lined sieve into a gallon jug or a larger pot.
Add the other two quarts of filtered water. Stir well.


Let your root beer cool to about 75 o F. (lukewarm)

Now add one and a half cups of sugar.you can experiment a little here. Mix a little brown sugar with some of the white sugar. A little more molasses or a little less. Stir to dissolve sugar.
Add about 1/2 cup of dark molasses. stir well.
Add 1/8 teaspoon of Ale yeast into 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Let set for a minute or two. Stir into your root beer. Let set for another 15 or twenty minutes.
Use a funnel to fill your bottles . Leave about 2" of headspace in each bottle. Do not over fill.Be sure caps are on tight. let set at room temperature for about 12 hours. Check fermentation by squeezing the bottle. if firm Place in your refrigerator. If not, let set for a few more hours. Keep checking. Chill for about 4 or 5 days before opening your first bottle. Your homemade root beer will last for about a month. Enjoy.