Root beer is a dark
sweet beverage traditionally made using the
root or
bark of the tree
Sassafras albidum (sassafras) or the vine
Smilax ornata (sarsaparilla) as the primary flavor. Root beer may be
alcoholic or
non-alcoholic, and may be
carbonated or non-carbonated. Most root beer has a thick foamy head when poured. Modern, commercially produced root beer is generally sweet, foamy, carbonated, and non-alcoholic, and is flavoured using artificial sassafras. It may or may not contain caffeine.