Root Beer Extract Recipes

HOMEMADE ROOT BEER

Steps:

• In a large cooler, mix together the sugar and water, stirring to dissolve sugar completely. Stir in the root beer extract. Carefully place the dry ice into the cooler, and cover loosely with the lid. Do not secure the lid, as pressure may build up.
• Let the mixture brew for about an hour before serving. Leftover root beer can be stored in one gallon milk jugs.

QUICK AND EASY ROOT BEER

Steps:

• Mix the water and sugar together in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the root beer extract, and allow to cool for about 15 minutes.
• Pour the root beer mixture into a 1-gallon pitcher or bottle, and slowly pour in the carbonated water. Refrigerate until cold; serve over ice.

ROOT BEER EXTRACT RECIPE (A&W COPYCAT)

Steps:

• Put the sassafras and burdock roots, coriander seeds, star anise, and clove in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan that has a tight-fitting lid.
• Pour the water over the top of the roots and spices and bring to a boil over high heat. Drop the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the molasses, stir, replace the lid, and return to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, add the wintergreen flavoring or extract, replace the lid and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
• Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth, place over a large measuring cup with a pouring spout or a pitcher, and pour the cooled infusion into it to strain.
• Do not press on the contents, but let the roots rest in the strainer for about 30 minutes before proceeding. While that strains, rinse the pot used for infusion.
• Measure the sassafras infusion, return it to the rinsed pot and add an equal amount of sugar, by volume, to the pot.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, drop the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour the syrup into canning jars, fix clean, new, 2-piece lids on top and store in the refrigerator up to a year.
• Use 1 tablespoon of syrup over ice to 1 cup of plain seltzer water. Stir gently. Enjoy!

REAL HOMEMADE ROOT BEER

Steps:

• Use the funnel to pour the sugar in the bottle.
• Add the yeast.
• Toss the sugar and yeast around in the bottle so it mixes well. Just swish it around, don't shake it violently. Make it so there is a little depression in the center of the dry mixture.
• Add the root beer extract via the funnel.
• Add some of the water by pouring it over the tablespoon so get the extract residue into the bottle.
• Fill up the bottle about half way with some more water.
• Put the cover on the bottle and GENTLY swish to get the sugar/yeast mixture slightly dissolved.
• Add the rest of the water to about 1 to 1-1/2 inches from the top, then cap this TIGHTLY.
• Let stand in a cool place (65 to 72 degrees F) for three to four days.
• Do not shake the bottle or move it around unnecessarily. Leave it be.
• After about 24 hours of brewing itself, the bottle will start to feel hard as the pressure builds.
• After three/four days, the bottle should be very hard -- resist the urge to shake it up or open it, you will ruin your root beer. Place in refrigerator overnight. This arrests the yeast action.
• After chilling, decant into a glass and enjoy.
• Note: There will be leftover yeast in some sludge at the bottom of the bottle. Be careful decanting as you get to bottom of the bottle. That yeast will be skunky.
• Another note: The yeast is still working! Drink this up right away, keep it chilled.

ROOT BEER (HIRES HOME BREWED)

Steps:

• Pour extract over 4 lbs of sugar. Mix well. (Vary amounts of sugar and extract to taste).
• Dissolve mixture in 4 3/4 gallons of lukewarm water.
• Mix 1/2 tsp of dry active yeast in a pint of lukewarm water. Allow to stand 5 minutes. Stir well and strain through cheesecloth. In cool weather (under 70F) double the amount of yeast used. In hot weather (over 90F) cut the amount in half.
• Add the yeast mixture to the solution of sugar, extract, and water. Mix well and pour into sterilized bottles immediately. Fill bottles to within 1/2 inch of the top to minimize spoilage caused by excess air. Cork bottles securely or seal with crown or stopper.
• Place bottles on their sides in warm place(70-80) until effervescent. (If set in a cool place immediately the beverage will sour and remain flat.) The product should be ready to drink in about 5 days (longer in cooler weather.) Move the bottles to a cool place. Refrigerate just before drinking. The beverage will have a slight yeast flavor and contain some sediment. Do not filter.
• For best results - use only returnable type carbonated beverage bottles.