Are there any rootbeer alternatives here in the UK?
Posted by GhettoPriest0719@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 101 comments
Ive tried cream soda but it doesnt hit as much and just tastes like medicine to me. Morrisons is the one store that is closest to me, and I see lots of flavored drinks in the soda isle but I dont want to waste buying I dont like. I also some rootbeer in Aldi but its a bit of a drive from my place + last I checked there were none (its like just a seasonal thing i think). TIA!
Scared_Product5030@reddit
Not an alternative, but a way to get the goods:
Check out your local oriental supermarket, they quite often stock the likes of A&W root beer with Japanese/ Korean Labels. Cheaper than the American sweet shops.
Full-Suggestion-1320@reddit
The nearest European favour I have tried to root beer was Licor Beirão in a Portuguese cocktail, but I'm sure OP wanted a non alcoholic drink.
swapacoinforafish@reddit
I find that the ones at the supermarkets aren't really tasting the same as the US version. I prefer the cans of A&W from my local Costcutter a lot of convenience shops sell different imported drinks you might find it there.
Sltre101@reddit
Rare Brit here who loves root beer. Amazon is your best bet to just get some A&W. It’s expensive though, like £15 for 12. I’ve tried loads of different non-American ones and they’re all vile. Any made in Europe are banned from including some ingredients so it just doesn’t taste the same. There’s even an abomination European A&W in Sainsbury’s 🤮
schemmenti@reddit
A lot of Co-ops have started stocking imported A&W recently but it seems to vary from shop to shop.
lgf92@reddit
I love root beer too and the only one I've found in the UK that's easier to get is Tropical Sun, which you can get at Morrisons (https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/Tropical-Sun-American-Style-Root-Beer/110336074).
That_Weather_1169@reddit
https://mrfitzpatricks.com/
That_Weather_1169@reddit
https://mrfitzpatricks.com/
flyingteapott@reddit
I prefer the A&W that you can get in aisan stores over the US version. It has real sugar.
GhettoPriest0719@reddit (OP)
I've seen a few A&W in some shops when I travel and I buy them ALWAYS. But yea online is just a bit expensive
That_Weather_1169@reddit
Google Mr Fitzpatrick cordials they do a very nice root beer and also a sarsaparilla which I prefer, their other cordials are great too.
Just add sparkling water, lemonade or flat water to taste.
SpaTowner@reddit
I’m reasonably partial to their Dandelion and Burdock.
That_Weather_1169@reddit
https://mrfitzpatricks.com/
littlepurplepanda@reddit
Weirdly, lots of people in the UK don’t like root beer because it tastes like medicine to us.
If you have a “Premier” corner shop near you, they might have it. They have imported drinks sometimes, or check an American sweet shop?
IcyPuffin@reddit
It does taste like something medicinal. For me it is Germolene. Its because the traditional ingredients of root beer were also used in medicinal things.
Despite that, i like root beer.
Dependent_One6034@reddit
You thinking of Bonjela?
Lance_Operazole@reddit
You shouldn't be eating Germolene. I get what you mean though, the smell is the same.
Kind_Ad5566@reddit
First and only time I had it the taste was so similar to Savlon that I was immediately put off.
Greggybread@reddit
Tastes like my nan's wardrobe. Sweetened fizzy mothballs.
OudeArsenaal@reddit
I think it tastes like those disclosing tablets that turn your plaque purple.
pineapple_on_a_stick@reddit
I think it tastes like germolene smells
beeurd@reddit
That's what I've always said, too.
AhhGingerKids2@reddit
It tastes like TCP
NighthawkUnicorn@reddit
You've just given my 'nam flashbacks of every time I told my grandmother that I had a sore throat and she made me gargle.... oh god what was she thinking
TrueArmchairAthlete@reddit
Can you, anyone, recall Macdonald 'restaurants' selling root beer ? I guess this stopped when they teamed up with the big international name/s in teeth-rot.
Zzzzonked@reddit
I remember. I also when KFC used to sell black cherry milkshakes (They were the best).
dundops@reddit
Yes! It was my go-to drink back in the late 80s/early 90s
Own_Organization_155@reddit
Morrisons should have the root beer in the world food aisles, we have a big section in ours and sure they have the imported version in the Jamaican section
Full-Suggestion-1320@reddit
Old Jamaica fiery ginger beer
RagerRambo@reddit
That's nothing like root beer
Full-Suggestion-1320@reddit
It's a good savoury alternative fizzy drink.
RagerRambo@reddit
It's too fiery. Actually would be fun to give ginger beer to Americans and see their reaction.
jdsuperman@reddit
The US has ginger beer - it's just not as common as their bland and mystifyingly popular ginger ale. But it can usually be found in supermarkets.
RagerRambo@reddit
What does it say about me that I like ginger ale!
jdsuperman@reddit
Oops... sorry! Well, it certainly has its place, although I can't understand why it's quite so popular in the States.
JoeyJoJoeJr_Shabadoo@reddit
Mouthwash
TrueArmchairAthlete@reddit
Have a look at the offeringsbof this amazing historic company. I got some locally at a really posh 'delicatessen' -a massive shop in a local 'market town' if Northallerton, likely the centre of the richest farming area of North Yorkshire (God's own county). It's wonderful mixed with well chilled soda water
https://mrfitzpatricks.com/
Leapimus_Maximus@reddit
Their sarsapiarilla is top shelf too.
TrueArmchairAthlete@reddit
Yep. I just finished both my root beer and sarsapiarilla ☹️ and it's a 50-60 mile round trip to Lewis & Cooper in Northallerton so I'll not be taking a little jaunt over there unless I get sent there for work as I was a couple of months back when I picked up these those bottles of cordial... they were quite pricy, but I'm more concerned about the current fuel prices ! 😬
That_Weather_1169@reddit
If you are traveling near their factory in Myrtle grove mill and don't mind getting a couple of boxes at a time you may be able to negotiate a discount.
My Dad lives near and I have popped in a couple of times when visiting him and have done this.
TheAmazingSealo@reddit
There's this stuff called Dentyl that tastes similar. It is mouthwash though so not sure if it's okay to drink.
GaryJM@reddit
Dandelion and burdock.
CrossCityLine@reddit
Do any taste anything like root beer, but it is a good alternative if you want something a bit different.
Historical_Project86@reddit
Well, the ask was ambiguous IMO. It sounds like we think the ask was actually "where can I get root beer?". I would also have suggested D&B, since it is an alternative, not a copy.
JeffSergeant@reddit
Dandelion and Burdock IS root beer (literally fermented root extracts). Just not the most popular root beer in the US, (Sarsaparilla flavoured corn-syrup)
CrossCityLine@reddit
Tbf you’re right, it’s the kind of pedantry I signed up for.
Dazpiece@reddit
Love dandelion and burdock but it's absolutely nothing like root beer (which I don't like very much)
R2-Scotia@reddit
I think Fentimans does root beer
0-Sminky@reddit
I allways thought Ginger Beer is what we called Root Beer, but basicaly the same. If that's not the case what's the differeance?
JimmyBallocks@reddit
Imagine thinking cream soda tastes like medicine but root beer doesn’t.
Don’t get me wrong - I love root beer. But out of the two drinks, there’s only one that tastes like medicine. And it ain’t cream soda.
TrueArmchairAthlete@reddit
Cream soda = vanilla Root beer = sassafras (the main traditional ingredient), sarsaparilla, wintergreen, along with liquorice, and spices like anise, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg in varying proportions.
JuicyPickle@reddit
Small corner shops tend to do Root Beer, Barqs is my favourite brand that I've tried.
PooCube@reddit
Canada Dry, available from most stores. Slightly less harsh and a little more sweet than traditional root beer but you might like it. Very good with two fingers of Jack Daniel’s if you’re looking for a mixer but also very refreshing on its own, chilled. I think it’s made by Schweppes if that helps at all
PooCube@reddit
Three downvotes on a comment about ginger beer? I didn’t realise there were so many virgins here.
Additional_Tone_2004@reddit
That's ginger ale. Not in the same ballpark at all. Nice nonetheless.
jdsuperman@reddit
You have to find imported American brands (A&W is my favourite, but others exist too).
The British brands and supermarket versions all contain artificial sweeteners and are a huge disappointment, including "AW" which is a knock-off of the real A&W. Even Bundaberg, which is Australian, has reformulated its recipe and is no good now.
Chaffro@reddit
Bundaberg do an amazing root beer, if that's what you're really after. Tesco stock it, not sure about anywhere else.
Eyup_Amigo@reddit
Yes! Their Ginger beer is mega. Just expensive though
SnooHabits8484@reddit
their ginger beer makes me a bit sad tbh, it's no Old Jamaica
jdsuperman@reddit
No good since the recipe changed, though. The sweeteners have ruined it.
ckdx_@reddit
It hasn’t been the same since they replaced the sugar with sweetener.
Viking-Bastard-XIV@reddit
They sell Bundaberg in Sainsbury’s. The one by me anyway.
roddz@reddit
where i am that stuff is rarer than hens teeth... everywhere used to stock it now its just the gingerbeer
Strange_Beat_9287@reddit
Not sure Tesco still stock it. I work for them and haven't seen it for ages in-store and it's doesn't appear on my local stock checker. Was nice tho.
Jamie2556@reddit
I bought it once because I meant to get their ginger beer and picked up the wrong bottle. Worst thing I ever drunk but I imagine it’s typical for root beer
RagerRambo@reddit
I think that's the Aussie brand right, but also quite dear
SnooHabits8484@reddit
dissolve Germolene and sugar in fizzy water
jamesdownwell@reddit
There’s actually a UK brand that makes Root Beer, Soda Folk.
https://www.sodafolk.com/products/root-beer
I think they may have changed the recipe though, I’ve only tried it s couple of times and the second time with new can didn’t seem as nice as the first time I tried it.
jdsuperman@reddit
Yep, they fucked it. Their whole USP was catering to customers who wanted sugar after the mainstream brands removed it, but they didn't seem to realise that.
Additional_Tone_2004@reddit
Check your Chinese supermarket/shop. My local has A&W, and some sarsparilla options.
creamcrackerchap@reddit
Home Bargains often sell cans of AW (not A&W) which is very nice. Twice a year, around 4th July and I think Presidents Day, Aldi sell 1.5l bottles of their own for around 60p, their version is decent as well
DepartmentSalt1039@reddit
If you've got a One Below/Beyond store near by - they often have A&W in stock
namur17056@reddit
Crabbiest and its non alcoholic brother
NotEvil_JustBritish@reddit
Sainsbury's do cans of root beer in the Carribbean section of the world foods aisle. I think the brand is tropical sun? It's a brown can. The wintergreen taste is not quite as strong as A&W but (at 85p) it's a lot cheaper.
StalinsPeanutButter@reddit
I was in the same boat as OP and I discovered tropical sun root beer in Sainsbury's and it was exactly what I was looking for.
This is what you're looking for OP
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/tropical-sun-american-style-root-beer-330ml-sugar-levy-applied
nunatakj120@reddit
Bundaberg.
kebabby72@reddit
That's weird. I find root beer tastes like medicine and cream soda doesn't. I've heard same said about dandelion and burdock, whereas I find it tastes like better Coke.
Sorry, no idea to your question.
BloodAndSand44@reddit
The difference in US vs UK tastes. I agree. Just think how nasty their chocolate tastes (like vomit).
lithaborn@reddit
If you can get to a Home Bargains, they occasionally have a&w root beer cans for 80p each and another brand I forget that's usually 30-60p each.
Scared_Cricket3265@reddit
Different but have you tried Iron Brew or Ginger Beer?
GhettoPriest0719@reddit (OP)
YES! IRN BRU one of the top for sure but ginger nope
Scared_Cricket3265@reddit
Fentimans make a good one if you want to try it.
Space-manatee@reddit
Go to your local Chinese supermarket - they often have A&W or F&N Sasperella which IMO are nicer than the American root beers you can get over here.
improvisedbookmark@reddit
Used to be able to get it in UK McDonalds which was amazing. You could always go full Clarice Starling and wipe some Germolene antiseptic under your nose then drink a Dr Pepper for a similar experience. Of course then you’d have to start a ‘where can I find Germolene’ thread 😃
Longjumping-Act9653@reddit
You can get A&W on Amazon, but it is a bit spenny. You can also get 24 packs of Barr’s dandelion and burdock which is much cheaper and I think just as tasty although a bit different.
Therealladyboneyard@reddit
My British husband went wild over root beer in the US, but I accept he is weird lol
Worried-Penalty8744@reddit
Imagine thinking cream soda tastes like medicine when you’re drinking liquid germolene.
To actually answer your question Sainsburys sometimes sell cans of A+W in their small imported food section, funnily enough I’ve never seen that shelf space empty
this_HOAR_wants_MOAR@reddit
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose usually have brands like Bundaberg, Tropical Sun American Style & Ben Shaw's.
SusieL101@reddit
If you can have a chinese supermarket try Sarsi, it’s delicious!
Any-Race258@reddit
Aldi has root beer and grape soda sometimes, worth keeping an eye out!
RagerRambo@reddit
Also a fan of A&W. But yah many hugely popular items from NA do not make it here, and vice versa so expensive import is the only way
Organic_Recipe_9459@reddit
I don’t like any root beer that I’ve tried. I used to love cream soda, but I hate them all now. Not found a brand of cream soda that I like. It must be the sweeteners they use, instead of sugar.
I remember being a child and there being a yellow cans (almost gold) of cream soda with red writing. I used to love it! I was pretty sure it was Barr, but their current cream soda is crap. When I Google Barr’s past branding of cream soda, this one just doesn’t appear. If anyone remembers please tell me!
Smoochiesublime@reddit
sure it wasn't A&W?
Sweet_Confusion9180@reddit
I always thought Dr Pepper tastes just like Root Beer. I hate them both.
MiddleAgeCool@reddit
1 part Root Beer to 2 parts coke and you'll get Dr Pepper. That's not an official recipe but try it and tell me I'm wrong 😀
Jaded_Leg_46@reddit
Fentimens do a root beer. Cream soda is a crime against beverages.
UndeadMurderess@reddit
Home bargains sell root beer. Or, you can order it off amazon.
GhettoPriest0719@reddit (OP)
Havent seen one in the one near me tho :( I just might order it off online but as the other suggests it is criminally expensive online
FlatCapNorthumbrian@reddit
The most easily available alternative is Dandelion & Burdock. Another, but harder to find one is Sarsaparilla.
Puripuri_Purizona@reddit
Off licenses have a small variety like A&W, Bundaberg and Tropical Sun.
Soda Folk used to be my favourite brand but it went downhill after they reformulated their root beer and switched to artificial sweetners.
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