Cocktail hour - what’s on our minds?  

Recap of the ginger bug process

Recap of root beer brewing process  

Talk about some of the more unusual ingredients? 

1. Licorice Root

1. Contains glycyrrhizin (Glissyricin) that is 50 times sweeter than sugar

2. Traditionally in the Netherlands and Britain dried licorice roots were chewed on.

3. Used in a soda in Reggio Emilia - have to try this the next time I’m in Italy. 

4. can cause health issues when consumed in excess

5. It is used to flavor Tobacco products, after 2009 it isn’t allowed in cigarettes any longer but can be used in other tobacco products. 

6. Potential side effects from over consumption include increased blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, edema, weight gain, heart problems, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, kidney failure and paralysis.

2. Star Anise

1.  Illicium Verum - botanical name

2. the oil is used in lots of personal care products. 

3.  A major part of pho

4. Contains the compound Anethole - which also exists in Anise which is unrelated 

5. Originally used to make shikimic acid with is a precursor for the pharmaceutical synthesis for the Flu drug Tamiflu, but this is now made with e.coli bacteria. 

3. Sassafras

1. Also referred to as Fennel Wood due to the aroma

2. The Ground leaves are used in File powder- which is used to thicken gumbo

3. Leaves and flowers can be used in salads and as a flavoring agent. 

4. The young twigs can be eaten fresh or dried

5. And the roots can be dug up, peeled, dried and then made into tea

6. May have some analgesic and antiseptic properties. 

7. Early toothbrushes were created from the sassafras twigs 

8. The wood is also valuable. Native americans used it as a fire starter because of the flammability of the wood (due to the oils)

9. Also is used in “clandestine” MDMA manufacture.

4. Sarsaparilla

1. Sarsaparilla is a group of plants that grow in tropical parts of the world. There are about 350 species, including Smilax officinalis and Smilax glabra. The climbing, woody vine grows deep in the canopy of the rainforest. It’s native to South America, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, and the West Indies. Many species of Smilax fall into the category of sarsaparilla

2. Chemicals in sarsaparilla might help decrease pain and swelling. Some chemicals might also help kill cancer cells or slow down their growth.

3. People use sarsaparilla for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.

4. Don't confuse sarsaparilla with German sarsaparilla. These are not the same.

5. For centuries, indigenous people around the world used the root of the sarsaparilla plant for treating joint problems like arthritis, and for healing skin

6. The root was also thought to cure Hansen’s disease (leprosy) due to its “blood-purifying” properties. 

7. Sarsaparilla was later introduced into European medicine and eventually registered as an herb in the United States Pharmacopoeia to treat syphilis.

8. Sarsaparilla is used in herbal mixes to act as a “synergist.” In other words, it’s thought that the saponins found in sarsaparilla increase the bioavailability and absorption of other herbs.

5. Dandelion Root

1. Although it’s often dismissed as little more than a stubborn lawn weed, dandelion has been used in many forms of traditional medicine for centuries.

2. Not only can the leaves, roots, and flower add a pop of color to your plate, but they’re also often found in herbal teas and supplements, where they’re used as a natural remedy to support blood sugar management and boost skin, liver, and heart health. but you can also eat it whole as you do other root vegetables.

3. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. What’s more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium 

4. The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of healthy gut bacteria in your digestive tract

5. Dandelion is full of potent antioxidants, which may explain many of its medicinal properties. May help fight inflammation

6.  May aid in blood sugar management. May reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels and lower blood pressure,  treat constipation. 

7. In one study, dandelion leaf and flower extracts prevented skin damage when applied just before or immediately after exposure to UVB radiation, which is the radiation you get from sunlight. Interestingly, dandelion root did not have the same effect 

6. Birch Bark 

1. The inner bark, twigs, and leaves of birch trees have powerful analgesic painkiller properties. They are also anti-inflammatory, astringent, aromatic, and assist the body in reducing fever. The easiest way to gain all of the benefits of birch is to make tea.

Recipe Source

Homemade Root Beer Recipe - Nourished Kitchen

Ingredients 

10 cups water

3 tablespoons sarsaparilla root - Becca 5 min

1 tablespoon ginger root - Becca 2 min

1 tablespoon licorice root - Gretchen 2 min

2 teaspoons dandelion root - Becca 2 min

2 teaspoons birch bark - Becca 2 min

1 star anise pods - Gretchen 2 min

¼ cup sassafras root bark - Gretchen 5 min

¾ cup unrefined cane sugar 

½ cup ginger bug (strained)

Special Equipment 

flip-top bottles

Steps 

• Fill a large stock pot with 10 cups of water, and then spoon in the sarsaparilla, ginger, licorice, dandelion, birch, and star anise.

• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn down the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 30 minutes, and then stir in the sassafras bark, and continue simmering for a further 15 minutes.

• Turn off the heat, stir in the sugar until it dissolves. Next, allow the decoction to cool to room temperature - about 2 hours.

• Strain decoction, discarding the herbs. Stir in the ginger bug, and pour into flip-top bottles - allowing at least 1 to 2 inches of headspace in each bottle.

• Ferment the root beer at room temperature about 2 days, allowing more time during cold weather. Transfer to the fridge for 3 days to allow the bubbles to set, and serve cold over ice.