Best Root Beer of 2026

Kiera Browne Avatar
Kiera Browne
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2026

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Root beer is a carbonated soft drink that has been popular in the United States for over a century. It is typically made with a combination of sassafras root, vanilla, and various spices to give it a unique and complex flavour. While it is often enjoyed on its own, root beer can also be used as a base for cocktails or as a flavouring agent in baked goods. Root beer is a classic American beverage that has stood the test of time and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

A & W Root Beer 24 Cans Pack Cover #TOP 1
A & W Root Beer 24 Cans Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Virgil's Handcrafted Root Beer 12 x 330ml Cover #TOP 2
Virgil's Handcrafted Root Beer 12 x 330ml
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Mr Fitzpatrick's Handmade Vintage Root Beer Cordial 500ml Cover #TOP 3
Mr Fitzpatrick's Handmade Vintage Root Beer Cordial 500ml
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 5 Root Beer

#TOP 1

A & W Root Beer 24 Cans Pack

A & W
059531002205
A & W Root Beer 24 Cans Pack Cover
A & W Root Beer 355ml Cans (2 X 12 Pack) - Total 24 Cans

The A & W Root Beer offers a convenient 2 X 12 pack, providing you with a total of 24 refreshing cans. This product is ideal for gatherings or simply enjoying at home, ensuring you always have a tasty drink on hand. Each 355ml can delivers a classic root beer flavour, perfect for quenching your thirst. With its unique blend of sarsaparilla and other flavourings, you can indulge in a delightful beverage that enhances any occasion.

What We Like
Large 24 can pack
Classic root beer flavour
Convenient 355ml cans
Ideal for gatherings
#TOP 2

Virgil's Handcrafted Root Beer 12 x 330ml

Virgil's
12 x 330ml
Virgil's Handcrafted Root Beer 12 x 330ml Cover
Virgil's Root Beer 12 x 330ml Bottles

Virgil's Root Beer offers a classic, handcrafted beverage made from a unique blend of spices and herbs sourced globally. Micro-brewed in small batches, it ensures that you enjoy the full flavour of every ingredient. You can sip without worry, as this drink contains no artificial preservatives, colours, or GMO ingredients, providing you with great taste without the chemicals. This all-natural refreshment is also suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those following a gluten-free diet, making it a versatile choice for many consumers.

What We Like
All-natural ingredients
Vegan and gluten-free
Micro-brewed for freshness
Rich blend of flavours
#TOP 3

Mr Fitzpatrick's Handmade Vintage Root Beer Cordial 500ml

12 x 500ml
Mr Fitzpatrick's Handmade Vintage Root Beer Cordial 500ml Cover
Mr Fitzpatrick's - Root Beer Cordial 500ml (12 x 500ml)

Mr Fitzpatrick's Root Beer Cordial is a premium handmade vintage drink crafted with care in Lancashire. It blends unique flavours like sarsaparilla root, aniseed, liquorice, and vanilla beans, giving you a rich and distinctive taste. You can dilute it with still or sparkling water, allowing you to enjoy it hot or cold, or even create shakes and floats, offering versatile ways to enjoy your drink. Each 500ml bottle makes around 10 to 12 servings, so you can easily share the experience or keep some for yourself over time.

What We Like
Handmade vintage quality
Unique blend of flavours
Versatile serving options
Generous servings per bottle
Suitable for vegans and gluten free
#TOP 4

Mr Fitzpatrick's Vintage Root Beer Cordial

500 ml (Pack of 6)
Mr Fitzpatrick's Vintage Root Beer Cordial Cover
Mr Fitzpatrick's - Root Beer Cordial 500ml (6 x 500ml)

Mr Fitzpatrick's Root Beer offers a delightful, premium handmade cordial crafted with care in Lancashire. This unique blend combines sarsaparilla root, aniseed, liquorice, and vanilla beans, providing a rich and aromatic flavour. You can easily dilute it with still or sparkling water, making it versatile for both hot and cold drinks. This cordial is perfect for creating delicious shakes and floats, adding a fun twist to your beverages. With approximately 10-12 servings in each bottle, it’s an excellent choice for gatherings or family enjoyment.

What We Like
Handmade with quality ingredients
Versatile for hot or cold drinks
Suitable for vegans and gluten-free
Creates fun shakes and floats
Generous serving size
#TOP 5

Bundaberg Handcrafted Root Beer 4 Pack

731162
Root
375 ml (Pack of 4)
Bundaberg Handcrafted Root Beer 4 Pack Cover
Bundaberg 4 Pack Handcrafted Australian Root Beer, Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Drink Crafted using Traditional Brewing Techniques for an Authentic Taste - 4 x 375ml Bottles

Bundaberg Root Beer offers a delightful blend of nostalgia and innovation. Brewed using traditional methods, this non-alcoholic drink captures the essence of the past. You will appreciate the use of real sarsaparilla root, liquorice root, vanilla beans, and molasses, giving it a rich and unique flavour. The brewing process takes over three days, ensuring maximum taste extraction, making each sip a memorable experience. Don't forget to invert the bottle before opening for the best enjoyment!

What We Like
Authentic traditional brewing
Rich, unique flavour profile
Nostalgic drinking experience
Made with real ingredients
Non-alcoholic refreshment
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do they call it root beer?

In 1875, Charles Elmer Hires introduced the first commercial brand of root beer, named Hires Root Beer. Hires initially wanted to name the product to be “Root Tea,” but chose “Root Beer,” to make the beverage attractive to Pennsylvanian coal miners.

2. Can you get drunk with root beer?

Root beer cannot make you drunk. Root beer made by the traditional process contains 2% alcohol, but sometimes, more alcohol may be added to make it a stronger alcoholic drink.

3. What is root beer called in Australia?

So, what is root beer in Australia? Bundaberg is nearly synonymous to root beer in the land down under. This brand's brew is very fruity and sweet. The beer's bite is mellow and sour while the head has a decent amount of frothiness to it.

4. What flavor is root beer?

The primary flavor found in any old-fashioned homemade root beer recipe is sassafras, a deciduous tree in North America. The characteristic sweet flavor comes from the tree's roots, giving us the name root beer. Now, the primary flavor we associate with root beer is wintergreen, not sassafras.

Editor's Notes

During our root beer research, we found 19 root beer products and shortlisted 5 quality products. We collected and analyzed 35,644 customer reviews through our big data system to write the root beer list. We found that most customers choose root beer with an average price of £34.63.

The root beer are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of root beer, including A & W, Virgil's, Mr Fitzpatricks, Bundaberg.

Written by
Kiera Browne Avatar

Kiera Browne served as chef and caterer in Purslane Restaurant for three years before establishing her restaurant. Kiera now owns two restaurants and a culinary school all over the United Kingdom. Kiera has featured in magazines and editorials, providing recipes for various dishes. Using her skills and knowledge in the culinary field, Kiera has published few pamphlets on preparing various cuisines.