Whether you’re an adult or a kid, it’s likely that you’ve tried at least one of these flavorful beverages before. But, of course, there are many people that think ginger beer and root beer are the same things, with different names. It is not unusual for Americans and Brits to use different terms for items, and occasionally this leads to understandable confusion. However, these “beers” are distinctly different drinks with different flavors and made with different ingredients. So, what exactly is the difference between ginger beer and root beer?
If you were to ask someone on the street what the difference between ginger beer and root beer was, chances are they wouldn’t be able to tell you. In fact, you might even get blank stares. This is because many people today don’t know the difference. While both are carbonated beverages, ginger beer and root beer are not the same. They are made from the roots of two very different plants. They both have intense (and unique) flavors. Even if you are a fan of one, there is no guarantee that you will like the other. However, they really do taste different so let us take a look at the similarities and differences, shall we?
What Is the Difference Between Ginger Beer and Root Beer?
Ginger beer and root beer do have some things in common. The main similarity between these two tasty beverages is that they are both made from plant roots. They are also both carbonated. However, that is pretty much where their similarities end.
Ginger beer is made from the roots of the ginger plant (ginger root). The other ingredients in ginger beer are reasonably straightforward. Added to the ginger root is a blend of just carbonated water and sugar. Then the whole concoction gets brewed for several days. In the past, ginger beer brewers used to throw in a little yeast to ferment the drink, but this is rarely done these days. The resulting drink is spicy and tastes like, well, ginger. The ginger flavor is so strong that it’s quite unforgettable.
Root beer is also made with carbonated water and sugar, but its distinctive flavor traditionally comes from the root bark of the sassafras tree. Sassafras root bark tastes nothing like ginger root, and as a result, root beer has a drastically different flavor. Sassafras is banned for use in food or beverages in most countries. In modern times, scientists have discovered that sassafras can cause cancer. These days the tasty drink is made with artificial flavors that mimic the taste of sassafras without any of the harmful side effects.
Is Ginger in Root Beer?
Ginger has never been an ingredient used to make root beer. However, there is another popular carbonated beverage that does have ginger flavoring in it – ginger ale. Since root beer is made with sassafras root, the two beverages taste as different as night and day. Both drinks have a strong spicy flavor, but once you try them both, you will never be able to honestly confuse one for the other.
What Can Be Substituted for Ginger Beer?
Ginger ale is similar to ginger beer and is commonly used as a substitute for ginger beer. Since they both contain ginger, they do have slightly similar flavors. However, there are some pretty significant differences between the two. The biggest difference? Ginger beer is brewed using natural, fresh ginger as one of the main ingredients. Like beer or cider, it is made from a complex brewing process that typically takes multiple days. Ginger ale, on the other hand, is made by mixing carbonated water and ginger syrup. Since it uses syrup instead of fresh ginger, ginger ale doesn’t have as strong a ginger flavor.
Is There Alcohol in Ginger Beer?
When people first began making ginger beer, it did usually contain alcohol. More recently, however, commercially purchased ginger beer is not usually alcoholic. Most Brits and Europeans already know this. But since ginger beer is far less common in the U.S., many Americans mistakenly believe it is alcoholic. It has the word “beer” in its name, and it is brewed, so the confusion is quite understandable. But brewing is really just a process designed to extract as much flavor from the ingredients as possible and is used to make plenty of other nonalcoholic drinks (like coffee or tea). To contain alcohol, a beer or any other brewed beverage has to be fermented with yeast.
Even though modern commercial ginger beers lack alcohol, the spicy drink is often used to make cocktails. The most common drink made with ginger beer is the Moscow Mule. This cocktail combines vodka and lime juice with ginger beer for a tasty adult beverage. Of course, if you go to your local bar and order one, you might not be tasting a true Moscow Mule at its best. Many bartenders substitute ginger ale since it’s more widely available (at least in the U.S.). There are hundreds of variations or twists on the classic mule that all feature ginger beer paired with nearly every type of liquor imaginable. No matter your cocktail preferences, there is sure to be a way for you to incorporate ginger beer into an unforgettable recipe.
Historically root beer also contained a small amount of alcohol. Although many early American settlers made similar drinks, modern “root beer” was invented by a pharmacist who originally included yeast in his recipe. More recent recipes, however, involve mixing flavored syrups with carbonated water, meaning it doesn’t typically contain alcohol. Just like with ginger beer, there are plenty of cocktail recipes that include root beer. But the most popular root beer recipe is the root beer float. This mixture of vanilla ice cream and cold root beer is not alcoholic and is a favorite of children everywhere.
Finally
When it comes to ginger beer and root beer, there are many similarities. Yet, the two tasty beverages are clearly quite different. Which one tastes better? Well, that really comes down to your personal preference. So, what are you waiting for? Try each of them (just not at the same time). Then, see for yourself which one tastes better. Who knows, you might like them both!