Our family members are big fans of root beer! We don’t drink soda too often, but when we do, our go-to drink is always root beer because it’s so good.
We tried a homemade version at a church party and knew we had to try it ourselves. It can be made year-round and is delicious and perfect for parties and holidays, and we especially love to whip it up around Halloween.
For more delicious drink recipes perfect for fall parties, try our Butterbeer Recipe, Pumpkin Juice, and Caramel Apple Cider.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Better at home. It only uses 4 ingredients, and the flavor is unmatched! It’s far better than any store-bought version.
- It’s science. Dry ice offers a unique twist, creating a visually exciting and dramatic effect and providing a carbonated finish.
- A float! Add Vanilla Ice Cream and turn this into a best-loved classic treat.
Root Beer Ingredients
- Cold water (1 gallon) – Forms the base and helps the drink chill quickly so the finished root beer is refreshing right away.
- Granulated sugar (2–2½ cups) – Sweetens the root beer. Adjust the amount used to your preference, or try using a sugar substitute such as stevia, monk fruit extract, or erythritol.
- Add in sweet fruit juices or use honey or maple syrup, but note that these choices will change the flavor profile of the root beer
- Root beer extract, Zatarain Brand (3 tablespoons ) – Supplies the signature root beer flavor with a balanced blend of warm spices. Traditional root beer uses different combinations of flavors and spices such as sassafras root bark, wintergreen, star anise, sarsaparilla root, ginger root, licorice root, and birch bark. This recipe uses a premade root beer blend that uses similar flavors and does not contain alcohol or any artificial colors.
- Dry ice, broken into pieces (1½–2 pounds) – Carbonates the drink while creating that fun smoky presentation, stir until fully melted for safe serving. If you happen to have a home carbonation system, you can use that instead.
How to Make Root Beer
LIQUID. Dissolve sugar completely in the water. Add root beer extract and stir to combine. Taste and add any more sugar or extract needed. (Mix the root beer in a well-ventilated area.)
DRY ICE. Carefully break up the dry ice pieces into very small pieces. Add the dry ice pieces using gloves or tongs, stir into the water, sugar, and extract mixture making sure to keep the ice from sticking to the bowl and to melt the dry ice. The mixture will start to bubble, and the fog will pour out and over the bowl.
SERVE. Make sure the ice is completely melted before ladling into cups or mugs. To be extra safe, pour the mixture through a mesh strainer before stirring to filter out any small pieces of dry ice.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- My favorite root beer flavoring is the Zatarain’s brand, but your favorite brand can be used as well.
- Be careful when handling dry ice. Do not let it touch bare skin, and make sure no stray pieces land in anyone’s cup.
- Serve the root beer out of a smoky witch’s cauldron. See the FAQs for instructions.
- Add Vanilla Ice Cream and turn this into a best-loved classic treat, a root beer float!
Homemade Root Beer
Ingredients
- 1 gallon cold water
- 2 – 2½ cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons root beer extract, zatarain brand
- 1½ – 2 pounds dry ice, broken into pieces
Instructions
- Add water and sugar to a large punch bowl, stirring to dissolve sugar completely.
- Add root beer extract and stir to combine. Taste and add any more sugar or extract needed.
- Make sure you are mixing the root beer in a well-ventilated area.
- Carefully break up the dry ice pieces into very small pieces. Add the dry ice pieces using gloves or tongs, stir into the water, sugar, and extract mixture making sure to keep the ice from sticking to the bowl and to melt the dry ice. The mixture will start to bubble and the fog will pour out and over the bowl.
- Make sure ice is completely melted before ladling into cups or mugs. To be extra safe, you can pour the mixture through a mesh strainer before stirring to filter out any small pieces of dry ice.
Notes
- My favorite root beer flavoring is the Zatarain’s brand, but your favorite brand can be used as well.
- Be careful when handling dry ice. Do not let it touch bare skin, and make sure no stray pieces land in anyone’s cup.
- Serve the root beer out of a smoky witch’s cauldron. See the FAQs for instructions.
- Add Vanilla Ice Cream and turn this into a best-loved classic treat, a root beer float!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Create a fun Halloween drink! You’ll need some dry ice, a plastic cauldron, and a plastic bowl that can fit inside the cauldron with room on the sides.
1. Place a few pieces of dry ice in the bottom of the cauldron. Nestle the smaller bowl on top of the dry ice. Fill the smaller bowl with root beer.
3. Add warm water to the larger bowl, and the dry ice will start smoking.
4. Store extra dry ice in a styrofoam cooler nearby. When you need more smoke, add more small pieces of dry ice to the larger bowl and apply warm water. Be very careful that no dry ice lands in the punch. It could cause harm if swallowed.
Break the dry ice into pieces using a hammer or other tool. Wear gloves when handling the dry ice and do not let your skin touch it.
Store leftover root beer in an airtight container, such as bottles or pitchers with tight-fitting lids, before placing them in the refrigerator. Using airtight containers will help maintain the carbonation for as long as possible. Store for 3-5 days.
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This recipe was originally published March 2024.
Do you need to use dry ice?
Yes, I would recommend it!
Love root beer and will have to try this!
My niece had root beer milk as a dessert at her KC wedding from a dairy outside of town (Shatto Dairy) and it was delicious! My husband and I buy some to bring home every time we are in the area. I will have to experiment now to see if I can duplicate that since we don’t live close enough to enjoy it more than once every couple of years.
Such a great idea to quench everybody at home! So easy and delicious! Highly recommended!
Thank you!
This was absolutely amazing! We had so much fun making these and drank every last drop!