Sarsaparilla

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GazzerP73

Sarsaparilla

Post by GazzerP73 » Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:40 pm

Now then......

Recently I acquired some sarsaparilla and chinese liquorice drink concentrate. My source stated that actually the stuff has been banned from sale due to it being carcinogenic (in rats ..maybe..) buts it's still the original 400yr old recipe. The instructions with the concentrate state that it can be made into a cordial or beer (via fermentation etc).

I have made with it a gallon of sarsaparilla wine(for want of a better word) at around 7/8% abv (ish). It tastes and smells magic, but before I quaff it or give it........

Have any of the experienced brewers on here got any info regarding the legal status on it....or any other info for that matter?
I have read that it is illegal to sell but ok to brew and drink at home?!?!?!

Obviously I don't want to waste it or do myself a mischief by supping it all.

I will be looking to source more if I get a majority thumbs up.

ps.....1)should it be refrigerated
2)will it keep?

Cheers
Gaz

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seymour
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Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by seymour » Mon Sep 10, 2012 4:36 pm

Like you, I'm usually a skeptic. However, the warning likely refers to the safrole compound, which is a known carcinogen. Sure, rats, but almost certainly humans too, it would just be unethical to do a controlled test. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safrole

I love recreating historical recipes, and since sassafras trees are native where I live in Missouri, USA, and grow everywhere like weeds, I'm constantly tempted to brew some authentic old-timey root beer/sasparilla/sarsaparilla. So far, I've resisted the urge to brew with it for the very health reasons you mention, especially considering something I want to share with my kids. Why take the risk? There are plenty of other cool experiments to try instead.

GazzerP73

Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by GazzerP73 » Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:16 pm

Thanks for your reply.

I'm still unsure, simply because I don't know the concentration levels etc.

I will seek further info, the debate goes on...

cheers
Gaz

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Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by seymour » Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:17 pm

Sounds good. Cheers!

n4cer

Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by n4cer » Thu Nov 15, 2012 7:16 pm

Anybody any recipes for this drink please

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seymour
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Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by seymour » Thu Nov 15, 2012 9:01 pm

n4cer wrote:Anybody any recipes for this drink please
Okay, fine, here are some popular online recipes I've considered. I'm sharing these for historical/educational purposes. Again, if you brew and drink anything like this SKIP THE SASSAFRASS ROOT because it DOES cause cancer. Not just "might." There are plenty of other tangy bittersweet things in this world to brew which won't kill you. So please, proceed with caution.
SWAGGER ROOT BEER

Here's my recipe for root beer. The recipe is for one gallon. If you are making five gallons, the appropriate quantities are in parenthesis.

• 5 TBS DRIED SASSAFRAS ROOT BARK (1 ½ CUP + 1 TBS)
• 2 TBS CHOPPED DRIED BURDOCK ROOT (1/2 CUP + 2 TBS)
• 2 TSP CHOPPED DRIED LICORICE ROOT (3 TBS + 1 TSP)
• 2 CUPS SUGAR (10 CUPS)
• 1 TBS HONEY (5 TBS)
• 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT (3 TBS + 1 TSP)
• 1/8 TSP ALE YEAST
• 1 GAL WATER (5 GAL)

1. Place sassafras, burdock and licorice in 8 cups of water and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 mins.
3. Place yeast into ¼ cup of boiled/cooled water for 15 mins.
4. Strain wort and add sugar, honey and vanilla. Place in a bath of cold water to reduce temp.
5. Add 8 cups of cool water to bottling bucket. Add wort to bucket.
6. Mix in yeast and bottle.
SWAGGER SARSAPARILLA II

Here's another version of my sarsaparilla. It has real frothy foam! The recipe is for one gallon. If you are making five gallons, the appropriate quantities are in parenthesis.

• 8 TBS DRIED SARSAPARILLA ROOT (2 ½ CUPS)
• 2 TBS SASSAFRAS ROOT (1/2 CUP + 2 TBS)
• 2 CUPS SUGAR (10 CUPS)
• 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT (3 TBS + 1 TSP)
• 1/8 TSP ALE YEAST
• 1 GAL WATER (5 GAL)

1. Place sarsaparilla and sassafras in 8 cups of water and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 mins.
3. Place yeast into ¼ cup of boiled/cooled water for 15 mins.
4. Strain wort then add sugar and vanilla. Place in a bath of cold water to reduce temp.
5. Add 8 cups of cool water to bottling bucket. Add wort to bucket.
6. Mix in yeast and bottle.

n4cer

Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by n4cer » Fri Nov 16, 2012 7:20 am

Thank you so much for the recipes, my wife best mate doesn't drink alcohol so i'm going to make this for her, one of her favourite drinks.
Once again athanks
n4

Geezah

Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by Geezah » Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:46 pm

hmmmmmm MDMA beer sounds like my kind of extacy :lol:

n4cer

Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by n4cer » Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:32 pm

im in "ecstasy" LOL :D

sbond10
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Re: Sarsaparilla

Post by sbond10 » Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:13 pm

Did I miss summat here

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