The Shocking Truth About What’s Really In Not Your Father’s Root Beer

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:35:13 +0000

# The Shocking Truth About What’s Really In Your Father’s Root Beer When you crack open a bottle or sip a glass of your father’s alleged “root beer,” you might assume it’s just a sweet, creamy beverage with harmless roots and spices. But the truth is far more surprising—and sometimes disturbing. What’s truly inside that nostalgic cherry or vanilla root beer might shock you. ### What Is Root Beer, Anyway? Root beer is a classic American soft drink traditionally made with sassafras root—a key ingredient historically used for its distinctive licorice flavor. However, modern recipes have evolved, blending a mix of Montana终端it（rooted in sassafras substitutes), aromatic spices like wintergreen, birch bark, vanilla, anise, and caramel coloring. But here’s the catch: while the name suggests “root” from natural bark, many commercial versions—including those you might enjoy with your dad—contain artificial flavors and chemicals.