Homemade fermented root beer??

Anyone who knows my boyfriend really well is probably aware of his love of all things root beer. I mean, I have no problems with this… root beer is amazing! But today, when I found this recipe, I knew that I was going to have to try making my own from scratch, just because this recipe seriously looks like it takes that drink to a whole new level.

The fact that this is a fermented beverage (like kombucha) just makes me happy. My gut really seems to like it when I drink (and eat) things like that!

The trick may be in finding things like sassafras bark and sarsparilla root, but if I can manage to pull that off, then I just might be able to recreate my man’s favourite drink and possibly even make it a wee bit healthier.

(Or not… I might just leave the recipe exactly as it is. That might be amazing too.)

In any case, it has been a while since I posted anything (this new job is keeping me busy!), so I wanted to put something up this weekend. I hope you all get the chance to try it out!

Fermented Root Beer (Homemade Soda Made With A Ginger Bug):

• 1 gallon water

• ½ cup dried sassafras bark

• ½ cup dried sarsaparilla root

• ½ cup dried birch bark

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 cup sugar

• ½ cup molasses

• ½ to 1 cup ginger bug

• 3 slices fresh gingerroot

1) Combine the water and herbs in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the root and bark tea come to room temperature

2) Strain out the herbs and put the tea into a wide mouth gallon jar

3) Stir in the sugar, molasses, ginger bug, and ginger slices, then cover the jug with a piece of cheesecloth secured with a rubber band

4) Put the jar in a quiet corner in your kitchen and let the root beer ferment. Give it a vigorous stir with a wooden spoon once per day. It should start to bubble up within 3 to 4 days, then it's ready to bottle

5) Strain out the ginger pieces and transfer the root beer to flip top bottles using a funnel, making sure to leave an inch or two of head space

6) Let the bottles sit at room temperature to build up carbonation for at least a week before drinking your root beer. Serve cold and enjoy!