# Did you acquire the taste for root beer as an adult? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [January 9, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931 "2023-01-09T17:41:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/61 "2023-01-10T09:30:34Z")
I tasted root beer (a hard variety, with beer-level alcohol content) for the first time last year and instantly liked it. I’m non-American and very much an adult. I also like Dr Pepper, even though it was very rarely available to me growing up. It doesn’t have any similarity to root beer, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/62 "2023-01-10T10:46:58Z")
Having really only ever had it as a soft drink, what weird combination of spirit works with a root beer for a nice boozy drink? Never considered it an option before, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/63 "2023-01-10T13:32:00Z")
I’ve had cream sodas a few times over the years, and they always just taste like diluted root beer. Ok, but not as good as the real thing. Never knew there was any RB connection to wintergreen - interesting. I do like wintergreen mints, as it happens. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/64 "2023-01-10T14:23:24Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I totally agree with all of that! With the exception of occasionally buying clear (not the horrible red kind) > [@terentii](#): > > The cream soda I drank as a child was amber colored and had a much milder taste than the red stuff at my local supermarket today. I’ve never heard of red cream soda. It’s always been amber. Where do you all live? ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/65 "2023-01-10T15:05:44Z")
I love root beer. Along with Diet Coke I always have a 12 pack of A&W Zero Sugar and my husband always has some regular A&W in the fridge. I’ve never noticed a medicinal taste, but now I’m afraid to drink it for fear that I will suddenly taste mouthwash! There’s nothing like a root beer float made with A&W. MMM MMM MMM ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/66 "2023-01-10T15:23:07Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > I’ve never heard of red cream soda. It’s always been amber. Where do you all live? Big Red. > **[Big Red (soft drink)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Red_(soft_drink))** > > Big Red is a soft drink. It was created in 1937 by Grover C Thomsen and R.H. Roark in Waco, Texas and originally known as Sun Tang Red Cream Soda. It is an American variety of cream soda and a special off-brand "blue cream soda". Gary Smith was the chief executive officer of Big Red Group (“BRG”) directly responsible for all functional areas. He successfully acquired and integrated numerous businesses to build BRG into a national company, eventually selling the entire business to Keurig Dr Pep Th... Barq’s also makes a red cream soda. There are private label varieties as well. I see them all over. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/67 "2023-01-10T15:23:42Z")
I advise a super dark, high molasses Rum for mixing with a good root beer. I have a friend who equally loves a vanilla rum or vodka to mix, which isn’t bad, but I’m sticking with Dark Cruzan. > **[Black Strap Rum | Cruzan®](https://www.cruzanrum.com/our-rums/premium-rums/cruzan-black-strap-rum)** > > Create outstanding tropical cocktails with Cruzan® Black Strap Rum—a full bodied rum with a rich, dark aroma. ETA - I find both work better with ‘less sweet’ Root Beer varieties though, so I tend to avoid A&W which is sweetest to my taste. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/68 "2023-01-10T15:29:15Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > in western Canada, you can still occasionally find Pop Shoppe sodas in various places. (I remember them from years ago in Ontario, but have not seen them when I travel there nowadays.) They’re not everywhere out here, and they do pop up in unexpected places (Shopper’s Drug Mart? Really?) Yeah, the Shoppers near me in Toronto (East York) usually has individual Poppe Shoppe bottles. And they are sometimes available from take out places. I actually think that I saw some on the shelf in the Metro grocery store near me. I remember, as a kid, going to the Poppe Shoppe and picking up soda and watching the machines move and fill the bottles. I was pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/69 "2023-01-10T15:34:03Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Barq’s also makes a red cream soda. There are private label varieties as well. I see them all over. I see it’s native to Texas. I don’t recall ever seeing that in stores here in the northeast. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/70 "2023-01-10T15:34:35Z")
That does sound like an ideal spirit to mix with root beer. I’m also thinking bourbon would go well. My first instinct would be to try a wheated bourbon, but I’d also try the opposite direction with a high-rye one to cut through some of the sweetness. I still think the wheated is a safer bet. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/71 "2023-01-10T15:50:23Z")
No, it’s the sort of drink I will drink on the rare occasions when it’s the lesser of available evils, but I didn’t like it as a kid and don’t as an adult. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/72 "2023-01-10T15:53:19Z")
Big Red is more bubble gum flavored, if I had to describe it. It’s definitely not just the garden-variety vanilla cream soda that we all are used to. Ghastly stuff… most people grow out of drinking it by the time they’re like 10 or so. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/73 "2023-01-10T15:53:56Z")
I might also try Gosling’s Black Seal; it’s got a bit of a root beerish flavor to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/74 "2023-01-10T16:16:22Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Big Red is more bubble gum flavored, if I had to describe it. The only time I had it was at Joe’s Barbecue in Kansas City. If I see a drink or food I’ve never heard of, I order it. Bubble gum is exactly what it reminded me of, and I was confused when I saw a label later saying it was a “cream soda.” Didn’t remind me of what I think of as cream soda at all. Way too sickly sweet for my tastes. No need to ever have it again, but I can see people who grew up on this stuff really liking it. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/75 "2023-01-10T16:21:06Z")
As a kid growing up in Texas, it was pretty common, but it was more of a kid drink, or occasionally it would be enjoyed by friends’ parents who had grown up out in the country. Most city/large town raised adults weren’t into Big Red. My kids love it, and while a sip of theirs is enjoyable every now and then, I shudder at the thought of polishing off 12 ounces of the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/76 "2023-01-10T16:28:58Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I had a Russian co-worker who told a story about when he first moved to Canada. He was taking a long bus journey from Ontario to Alberta and at one stop he saw a vending machine that sold beer. He took a big swig and was horrified to learn that root beer tastes nothing like beer. On the other hand, Russians supposedly love a soda [made from tarragon leaves](https://folkways.today/tarkhun-natural-soda-georgia/)\*. It’s said to taste like licorice and basil. The licorice part doesn’t sound bad, but basil? 🤢 \*Scotty: “Aye, it’s green.” ---
**Author:** ![Joeu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joeu/32/2911_2.png) [@Joeu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joeu)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/77 "2023-01-10T17:57:06Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > at a kids birthday party or something where they serve pizza and root beer and I love it. I like root beer, having grown up with it, but don’t drink it often. EXCEPT–with pizza! Since I stopped drinking alcohol (almost 30 years now), and couldn’t have regular beer and pizza (a classic combo), I’ve found that root beer and pizza is a wonderful pairing. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/78 "2023-01-10T18:07:24Z")
Love root beer. A&W Zero is the current preference, Diet Barq’s if I can’t get that. What ever happened to Hire’s? Also like root beer variants - birch beer and sarsaparilla. And I love the places with the self-serve zillion flavor Coke dispensers - Peach Fanta Zero, Raspberry Coke Zero… ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/79 "2023-01-10T18:14:02Z")
I’ve had Tarkhun. At first I thought it tasted like root beer, but a kind of medicinal flavor crept up on me after a couple more sips. It’s okay, but it needs to be served over ice. I’ve heard about **this cocktail** , but have yet to try it. It sounds yummy! 🙂 > **[Lynchburg Beer](https://mixthatdrink.com/lynchburg-beer/)** > > While the Jack and Coke cocktail is so common you might be a little embarrassed to order one, there's an equally simple drink that's not nearly as popular but is surprisingly good. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/80 "2023-01-10T18:29:29Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > I’ve never heard of red cream soda. It’s always been amber. Where do you all live? Greater Toronto Area. Amber cream soda was in Minnesota decades ago. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931.md?page=5)