JEAN'S AMiSH ROOT BEER RECIPE

JEAN'S AMISH ROOT BEER RECIPE

1 tsp dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 quart hot water
4 teaspoon root beer extract

Dissolve yeast in the warm water for 5 minutes.  Dissolve the sugar in the quart of hot water while yeast dissolves.  Mix together the dissolved yeast, sugar and root beer extract in a gallon jar. Fill the jar with warm water and stir until all ingredients are mixed.  Cover jar and set in the sun for at least 5 hours.  Let inside overnight then chill before serving.

You can purchase your root beer extract at most grocery stores.  But you can make your own. Sometimes I purchase it, sometimes I make my own.  The recipe to make Root Beer Extract follows.

JEAN'S AMISH ROOT BEER EXTRACT

6 cups water
3 oz dried sassafras root
1/2 oz dried burdock root
1 tsp dried whole coriander seeds
1 whole star anise
1 whole clove
1/4 cup dark molasses
3 - 4 wintergreen leaves or 2 drops wintergreen extract
6 cups of granulated sugar

Put the sassafras and burdock roots, coriander seeds, star anise and clove in a heavy-bottomed 2 quart saucepan that has a tight fitting lid.  Pour water over the top of the roots and spices.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Lower the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add molasses, stir, replace the lid and return to a simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove the pan from heat, add the wintergreen leaves or extract - replace the lid and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Line strainer with cheesecloth, place over large measuring cup or pitcher and pour the cooled ingredients into strainer.  Do not press any of the ingredients but let the roots rest in the strainer for 30 minutes.  While ingredients are straining, rise the pot your just used to get any bits of root beer or spices out of it.

Measure your strained ingredients and return to the pot - add equal amount sugar as there is strained ingredients.  Like 5 cups strained ingredients - you add 5 cups sugar.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Lower the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes.  Pour into prepared canning jars and store in refrigerator up to one year..