Is Root Beer Halal?

Why is it called root beer?

Root beer was first brewed in North America from roots and bark, especially sassafras, along with sugar and spices. Some early home-brewed versions fermented slightly, which is where the "beer" comes from. Commercial root beer today is a fizzy soft drink with no brewing or fermentation, and the traditional sassafras root has been replaced by flavourings.

Root beer brands

Root beer is a mainstream drink in the US and Canada, and in the UK it's sold in American sweet shops, some supermarkets and online.

Hard root beer looks almost identical on the shelf. It's sold in the alcohol aisle and the can states the alcohol content, so read the label if you're not sure.

What about root beer floats?

A root beer float is root beer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The root beer is fine; check the ice cream. Some ice creams contain gelatine, E471 from an unstated source, or vanilla extract. See is ice cream halal?

Is the caffeine a problem?

Some root beers, such as Barq's, contain caffeine. Caffeine is not an intoxicant, so it doesn't make a drink haram.

More questions

Does root beer have alcohol?

Standard root beer has no alcohol. Only "hard" root beer, sold as an alcoholic drink, contains alcohol.

Is A&W root beer halal?

A&W root beer is not halal-certified, but its ingredients are carbonated water, sweeteners, caramel colour and flavourings, with no alcohol or animal ingredients, so most Muslims treat it as halal.

Is root beer the same as ginger beer?

No. They are different soft drinks with different flavours. Both are usually non-alcoholic, but alcoholic versions of each exist. See is ginger beer halal?