The Truth About Bundaberg Root Beer and Sarsaparilla: Are They Different?

It’s a question we hear time and time again: What’s the real difference between Root Beer and Sarsaparilla, and more specifically, how do Bundaberg Root Beer and Bundaberg Sarsaparilla stack up against each other? Let’s put the speculation to rest with a clear answer – apart from what’s printed on the bottle, there’s no difference at all. We’re here to clear up the confusion once and for all!

Root Beer vs Sarsaparilla: Clearing Up the Confusion
The Bundaberg family of brews is well-loved across the world, but depending on where you’re picking up your bottle, you might notice a different name. If you’re in America or the UK, you’ll spot Bundaberg Root Beer on supermarket shelves, while Aussies and Kiwis are familiar with Bundaberg Sarsaparilla. Despite the name swap, it’s exactly the same craft beverage inside – brewed for three days using real liquorice root, sarsaparilla root, molasses, and vanilla beans. No matter the label, every drop is made in Bundaberg, Australia, following the same tried-and-true recipe.

Although here at Bundaberg we use the names interchangeably, it’s worth noting that Root Beer and Sarsaparilla have distinct histories and have traditionally been separate drinks. So, let’s take a trip through the past to see what sets them apart.

Sarsaparilla: A Classic Root, Boldly Brewed
These two drinks often get mixed up, but traditionally, Sarsaparilla was crafted solely from the sarsaparilla root. This ingredient gives the drink a slightly bitter edge, so many modern producers blend in liquorice and other flavours to mellow things out.

The Bundaberg Way
What makes Bundaberg’s Sarsaparilla stand out is our unique brewing process. We combine liquorice root, ginger root, vanilla bean, sarsaparilla root, and molasses, gently brewing these real ingredients over three days to create a flavour that’s both rich and complex – a true Aussie take on a classic.

Root Beer: An American Icon
Root Beer is deeply woven into American culture, rising to popularity in the 1800s, sold commercially since the 1840s, and with recipes dating back to the 1860s. It’s sometimes called an ‘adulterated sarsaparilla’ because it’s made with a blend of flavour boosters, including vanilla, wintergreen, liquorice root, nutmeg, acacia, anise, molasses, cinnamon, clove, or honey.

What Sets Bundaberg Apart
Since Bundaberg Root Beer and Sarsaparilla are one and the same, you already know about our locally sourced ingredients and signature brewing method. Our approach takes three days and coaxes out a unique, layered flavour profile that distinguishes Bundaberg from other root beers. And if you’re keen for a treat, we hear it’s spot-on for making a classic Root Beer Float!

Whether you call it Root Beer or Sarsaparilla, Bundaberg’s brew delivers the same unmistakable Aussie character in every bottle. So next time you crack one open, you’re not just enjoying a drink – you’re sharing in a tradition crafted with care.