Serving suggestions and food pairings for root beer
Serve root beer very cold, in a chilled mug or over ice. It pairs well with barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken and pizza, and of course vanilla ice cream in a root beer float. Its sweet, vanilla and wintergreen flavor also suits chocolate desserts. These are common taste-based pairings, not rules.
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In this article
How should you serve root beer?
Cold is the main rule. Chill cans or bottles in the fridge, and for a frosty drink pour into a mug kept in the freezer. Pour slowly down the side of the glass to control the foam. Root beer is sweet, so serving over a little ice or crushed ice makes it more refreshing and less syrupy.
What food goes with root beer?
Root beer is sweet with notes of vanilla, caramel and wintergreen, which makes it a good contrast to salty, smoky and fried food. Common matches:
- Barbecue: ribs, pulled pork, brisket; the sweetness works with smoke and spice.
- Fast-food favorites: burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings.
- Fried chicken and corn dogs.
- Pizza and grilled sandwiches.
- Dessert: chocolate cake, brownies, vanilla ice cream, pie.
How do you make a root beer float?
Put one or two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a tall chilled glass, then pour in cold root beer slowly, filling to the top. The ice cream makes the foam, so pour in stages. Serve with a spoon and a straw. For variety, try chocolate ice cream, or a splash of cream soda.
Can you use root beer in cooking?
Yes. It is a common ingredient in barbecue sauce and glazes for pork and ham, and in chocolate cake. Because it is sweet and has little acidity, balance it with vinegar, mustard or spices in savory sauces.
What is root beer flavored with?
Traditional root beer took its main flavor from sassafras. Safrole, a compound in sassafras, is not allowed as a food additive in commercial products in the US, so most commercial root beer today uses artificial sassafras flavor or a safrole-free extract, plus flavors such as vanilla, wintergreen, licorice root and molasses.
Does root beer have caffeine?
Most root beers are caffeine-free, but not all. Barq’s is a well-known exception. Check the label if you are avoiding caffeine.
What should you avoid?
Root beer can overpower delicate fish and light salads. It is also high in sugar, so treat it as a treat and check the nutrition label for your brand.
People also ask
What food goes best with root beer?
Barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, pizza and desserts like chocolate cake or vanilla ice cream.
How do you make a root beer float?
Add vanilla ice cream to a chilled glass and slowly pour cold root beer over it.
Does root beer contain caffeine?
Most do not, but some such as Barq's do. Check the label.
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