What brand do you turn to for your float? Our team sampled 10 brands to find the best root beer.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Taste Test: Our Test Kitchen’s Best Root Beer Picks
Updated on Aug. 29, 2024
Enjoy it ice cold, with ice cream or even in these recipes with root beer. However you take it, you certainly want the best root beer. That’s where our Test Kitchen comes in to help. They gathered up every bottle and can in the soda aisle and put them to the test.
via merchant
Best Smooth Rooth Beer
Sprecher
For a creamy, smooth experience, our Test Kitchen says you can’t do better than Sprecher Root Beer.
This independent soda company (and brewery!) produces a sweet and creamy root beer formulated with vanilla and raw Wisconsin honey. The result is a mild and sweet drink that satisfies sip after sip—particularly children who may not like the bite of a more spice-forward soda.
via merchant
Best Spicy Root Beer
Stewart’s
If you’re craving a bit of a kick with your next mug of root beer, pick up a pack of Stewart’s Root Beer.
“This one has an old-timey flavor,” explains Maggie Knoebel in the Test Kitchen. “I’m getting notes of birch and sasparilla.”
Both are key ingredients in root beer, particularly more old-fashioned formulations. Birch has a bit of a spicy flavor that gives root beer a peppery kick. The sasparilla provides some of the underlying licorice and molasses tastes.
Combined, these flavors come together to create a slightly spicy and not-too-sweet sipper.
via merchant
Best for Root Beer Floats
Frostie
For many, the only way to enjoy root beer is in a root beer float. Once you grab the best vanilla ice cream from the freezer, our Test Kitchen recommends pouring Frostie Root Beer over the top to finish this soda fountain classic.
This root beer has a deep, dark color with bold flavor. Our team picked up notes of spicy anise, vanilla and molasses—all of which still come through when paired with a few scoops of rich ice cream.
via merchant
Best Fizz
IBC Root Beer
