Homemade Root Beer
(courtesy of Genni Farrell. Makes about 2½ quarts)
6 cups water
3 ounces dried sassafras root
½ ounce burdock root
2 cloves
½ teaspoon anise seeds
4 allspice berries
1 inch of cinnamon stick
¼ cup dark molasses
3 to 4 wintergreen leaves (can substitute extract)
2 cups sugar
2 quarts soda water
Scrub roots clean of any dirt. Put roots into small pot and cover with water. Add cloves, anise seeds, allspice berries, and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, and simmer for 25 minutes. Add molasses and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add wintergreen leaves, and let mixture cool to room temperature.
Strain through cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve lined with paper towel. While that strains, rinse pot. Return liquid to pot. Add sugar, then heat until just simmering and sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
To make root beer drink, use 1 tablespoon syrup over ice to 1 cup soda water. Stir and enjoy!
