Sarsaparilla root powder, zarzaparrilla, Smilax, for tea and root beer

How to Make Sarsaparilla Tea and Homemade Root Beer: The Method and the Flavor

By Suhail Rivera, JD, founder of Alkaline Herb Shop

To make sarsaparilla tea, stir 1 teaspoon of sarsaparilla root powder into 8 ounces of boiling water, cover, and steep for 2 to 3 minutes, then strain. It is the sweet, woody, root beer flavour in a cup. Because it is a powder, keep stirring so it does not settle. The rest of this guide covers the herbal shot version, how to make a homemade soda, and what it tastes like.

How to make sarsaparilla tea, step by step

  1. Stir 1 teaspoon of sarsaparilla root powder into an 8 ounce cup of boiling water.
  2. Cover and steep 2 to 3 minutes. Use a little more and steep longer for a stronger cup.
  3. Stir again and drink, straining if you like a clearer cup.

For a quick, concentrated herbal shot, use 1 to 2 teaspoons in just 4 ounces of hot water.

How to make homemade root beer or sarsaparilla soda

Sarsaparilla was the backbone of old fashioned root beer for generations. To make a soda base, stir the powder into a simple syrup, warm it gently so the flavour infuses, then strain out the powder. Mix a spoon of that syrup with sparkling water over ice for a homemade sarsaparilla soda or root beer. Sweeten the syrup with maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar.

What does sarsaparilla taste like?

Sweet, woody and earthy, the classic root beer flavour, at once rich and a little bit spicy. It is one of the few herbs most people already recognise, even if they have never brewed it.

Does sarsaparilla tea have caffeine?

No. Sarsaparilla is naturally caffeine free.

What is sarsaparilla, or zarzaparrilla?

Sarsaparilla is the root of the Smilax vine, a climbing plant from the tropical forests of Central and South America, called zarzaparrilla in Spanish. Ours is organic or wildcrafted root milled into a fine powder, from Brazil, one ingredient with nothing added. We make no health claims for it. Enjoy it for that unmistakable root beer flavour.

Who should not use sarsaparilla

  • Do not use it during pregnancy or while nursing.
  • It is not recommended for anyone under 18.
  • If you have a medical condition or take prescription medicine, speak to your doctor first.

How to store sarsaparilla powder

Keep it sealed and away from heat and light to keep the flavour rich. Stored dry and closed, the powder keeps its flavour for a couple of years.

Suhail Rivera is the founder of Alkaline Herb Shop, which sources and sells the sarsaparilla described in this article.

Suhail Rivera, JD, is the founder of Alkaline Herb Shop. She has spent years sourcing, handling, and selling the herbs she writes about, working directly with growers and third party testing labs. She holds a Juris Doctor. She is not a medical professional. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any herb, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition. Read more about her and the store on the About page.