Barq’s Root Beer Recipe
Make Barq’s Root Beer Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Soda Base
Garnish & Serve
Method
Soda Base
Dissolve sugars and flavorings
In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup cold water. Stir thoroughly until the sugars are mostly dissolved. Add the molasses and caramel coloring; stir until evenly mixed.
Add extracts and acid
Stir in the vanilla extract, anise extract, wintergreen extract, and sassafras extract into the sugar mixture. Add the citric acid (or lemon juice) and mix well. Taste a small pinch on a spoon — the concentrate should be noticeably sweet with a sharp, slightly minty/anise background.
Combine with carbonated water
Place 4 cups of chilled carbonated water in a large pitcher. Slowly pour the prepared flavor concentrate into the carbonated water while gently stirring once or twice to incorporate. Do not vigorously stir; aim to preserve carbonation. Taste and adjust: add up to 1 tsp more sugar if you prefer sweeter, or a few drops more sassafras/anise/wintergreen extract to fine-tune the root-beer profile.
Chill and rest
Refrigerate the combined soda for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. If serving immediately, pour gently to avoid losing fizz.