Brew Better Soda at Home

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After three or four weeks in the refrigerator, the soda will have lost most of its carbonation, and if you're not planning to finish the bottle, pour it out. However, disposing of home-brewed soda usually isn't a problem - leftovers are rare!

Recipes

Easy Root Beer

This recipe uses root beer extract, so it’s the one to try if you want the traditional flavor of root beer. You’ll need a 1-gallon plastic bottle for mixing the soda.

1 gallon water
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons root beer extract
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon champagne yeast

In a large stockpot, heat the water until warm, about 100 to 110 degrees. Using a funnel, pour the sugar and the extract into a gallon bottle. Next, pour half of the warm water into the same bottle. Then add the yeast to the bottle, attach the bottle cap and shake well. Add the remaining water, then shake again. Pour into 2-liter bottles and attach the bottle caps. Leave 1 to 2 inches of empty space at the top of each bottle. Write the date on the bottles and store them in a warm, draft-free place, ideally at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees) for 2 to 3 days. Then refrigerate the bottles. Makes 1 gallon.

Licorice-root Beer

Making this soda from scratch is no more difficult than brewing with extract. It just involves a few extra ingredients. This recipe lacks the familiar flavor of sassafras, usually associated with root beer, but the burdock, licorice and ginger create their own enjoyable taste.

1 gallon water
11/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
1 cup loosely packed hops flowers
1 piece of ginger, thumb-sized
1 tablespoon ground licorice root
2 tablespoons ground
burdock root
3 or 4 pieces star anise
1/2 teaspoon ale yeast

Combine water, sugar and molasses in a stockpot and bring to a boil. Grate the ginger and add it to the pot along with the hops, licorice root, burdock root and star anise. Keep at a low boil for 45 minutes. Allow to cool, then add the yeast. Let the soda stand at room temperature for 24 hours, then use a funnel and strainer to pour the soda into bottles. Leave 1 to 2 inches of empty space at the top of each bottle and attach the bottle caps. Write the date on the bottles and store them in a warm, draft-free place, ideally at room temperature, for an additional 24 hours. Then refrigerate. For best results, leave the bottles in the refrigerator an additional day or two before drinking. Makes 1 gallon.

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