As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that root beer is no longer made with sarsaparilla. In the past, both sarsaparilla and root beer were named after the main ingredients used to make them. Sarsaparilla was made from the roots of the Sarsaparilla vine, while root beer was made from the roots of the sassafras tree.
However, over time, it was discovered that the sassafras plant contains a chemical called safrole, which has been found to be carcinogenic and can cause serious health issues when consumed in large quantities. Due to these health concerns, the use of sassafras in food and beverages has been heavily regulated, and most root beer recipes have since removed sassafras from their ingredients.
Nowadays, root beer is typically made using a combination of different herbs, spices, and flavorings to achieve its distinct taste. Some common ingredients found in modern root beer recipes include wintergreen, birch bark, licorice root, anise, and vanilla, among others. These ingredients are carefully selected and blended to create the familiar flavor profile that we associate with root beer.
I personally have experience in brewing root beer and have experimented with various recipes to create unique flavors. I have found that using a combination of wintergreen, sarsaparilla extract (which is safrole-free), vanilla, and other spices can create a delicious and aromatic root beer that captures the essence of the traditional beverage.
It's important to note that there are still some root beer brands on the market that use sassafras extract or oil in their recipes. However, these products are carefully regulated to ensure that they contain safe levels of safrole. Additionally, some brands have opted to use artificial sassafras flavorings that mimic the taste of the original ingredient without the associated health risks.
Root beer is no longer made with sarsaparilla or sassafras due to the health concerns associated with the safrole content in sassafras. Instead, modern root beer recipes utilize a combination of different herbs, spices, and flavorings to achieve its unique taste.