At Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop Sioux Falls, root beer is more than just another soda—it’s an American classic with a fascinating history and an incredible variety of flavors to discover!
Whether it brings back memories of an ice-cold bottle on a summer afternoon or a frosty root beer float piled high with vanilla ice cream, this uniquely American beverage has been enjoyed for generations.
A Little Root Beer History
Long before bottled root beer appeared in stores, people made beverages using roots, bark, herbs and spices. Early recipes varied widely and might include sassafras root, sarsaparilla, wintergreen, licorice, vanilla and other botanicals. By the late 1800s, commercially produced root beer began gaining popularity, eventually becoming the sweet, carbonated drink we know today.
But here’s where it gets interesting: not all “root beers” taste alike!
Traditional root beer usually has a sweet, creamy flavor with notes of vanilla, wintergreen, licorice, caramel or spices. Some are smooth and mellow, while others have a much stronger “rooty” bite.
Sarsaparilla is a close cousin to root beer. Historically made using the sarsaparilla plant, it generally has a stronger, earthier and slightly more herbal flavor. If you’ve ever imagined ordering a sarsaparilla in an Old West saloon, you’re not alone!
Birch beer was traditionally made using birch bark or birch sap. Its flavor can be sharper and more wintergreen-like than traditional root beer. You may even find red, brown or clear varieties.
And then there’s ginger beer. Despite the name, it isn’t really a type of root beer. Its starring ingredient is ginger, giving it a spicy, warming kick. Most ginger beers sold today are nonalcoholic soft drinks, although historically they were fermented.
How Many Have You Tried?
At Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop in Sioux Falls, we have over 50 different root beers and root-beer-style sodas to explore! From creamy and sweet to bold, spicy and old-fashioned, you’ll be surprised how different they can taste.
Grab a few different bottles and have your own Root Beer Taste Test with family or friends. Pick your favorites, compare the flavors—and don’t forget the vanilla ice cream if a root beer float sounds good!
Stop in and see just how much variety can fit under the name Root Beer!