People who are fond of alcoholic beverages are absolute fans of sarsaparilla and root beer. It’s safe to say that these two beverages are widely acclaimed and are enjoyed all over the world. What’s most surprising is that both these drinks have the same root, but there are some differences. For this reason, we are sharing the comparison of sarsaparilla vs. root beer taste and more. So, let’s get into the details!
Sarsaparilla vs Root Beer Taste
Sarsaparilla – What Is It?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it’s also a root beer if we stick to the definition since it is made from the sarsaparilla root. This is a vine plant that’s readily available throughout Central America. In fact, the population of Central America was the first people to use this root and sell its extract as a beverage. In addition to being a beverage, it has some great medicinal properties and is widely used for treating syphilis, but people in the old west love it as a beverage.
Sarsaparilla is basically a soft drink and has been around since the 19th century. It is made with different species of the same root (yes, sarsaparilla). The best thing about this beverage is that it has amazing flavor and is loaded with nutrients, including silicon, copper, iodine, zinc, and manganese. In fact, it has some antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer compounds. On the other hand, it is not suitable for nursing women, pregnant women, and people with sensitive kidneys and stomachs.
When it comes down to the ingredients, we have already mentioned that the root is used for making this beverage, but modern manufacturers are also using other ingredients to create better flavors and aromas. In fact, it has a very nice brown color which looks gentle and soft. As far as the taste is concerned, sarsaparilla has a bitter and bold flavor, but licorice and sweeteners are used to alleviate the bitterness and add a pleasant flavor.
Sarsaparilla is easily available in liquor stores and is often used as an alternative for root beer. All in all, it is a non-alcoholic beverage with zero caffeine and boasts a carbonated form.
Root Beer – What Is It?
The root beer is made with sarsaparilla, which makes it similar to the original sarsaparilla beverage. However, there are some other ingredients and roots used in root beer, including wintergreen, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and licorice. It is available in different flavors, depending on which roots were used to make the beverage. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that root beer is adulterated sarsaparilla since it has a mixture of other ingredients.
Root beer tends to have a lighter aftertaste as compared to sarsaparilla. In addition, it is available in two forms, the soft drink, and the alcoholic version. Nonetheless, both forms of root beer are equally loved and are consumed all around the world. Root beer has been around since the 19th century, especially in the American culture. According to the research, the first uses started back in the 1860s. As for now, different mixes are created to bring out unique flavors in this foamy beverage.
The root beer is available in alcoholic, non-alcoholic, carbonated, and non-carbonated forms. In the old-time, sassafras was used for making this drink, but it has volatile oils, which is why manufacturers shifted to using sarsaparilla. The modern beverage includes sodium benzoate as a preservative, artificial flavors, and different sweeteners, including corn syrup, aspartame, honey, molasses, and sugar. Lastly, there is also a version available with caffeine, but it doesn’t have the traditional root beer flavor.
For the most part, root beer has a dark brown color, but the appearance might change with the changes in ingredients (the caffeinated version is almost black). As for the flavor, it has a mild aftertaste with a sweet tone.
Wrapping It Up
It’s quite evident that sarsaparilla and root beer is a matter of debate. Still, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that sarsaparilla has the most authentic ingredients and flavors while root beer is a tweaked form. This is because sarsaparilla is a much older beverage, while root beer was made as an alternative for people who didn’t like the bitter flavor of sarsaparilla. So, these are all the differences between these two beverages!