Homemade Root Beer Kits Review (Updated | Apr 23rd)

If you are looking for a straightforward way to entertain the kids on a rainy Saturday, this kit is probably your best bet. It is designed for speed and simplicity, coming with four 1-liter reusable bottles and a no-rinse cleanser that takes the stress out of sterilization.

Unlike more complex kits, this one uses a concentrated root beer extract and flavor crystals, meaning you don’t have to spend an afternoon hovering over a stove simmering roots and barks. It produces about two gallons of soda that has a very classic, creamy profile reminiscent of an old-school soda fountain.

I’d recommend this for families or beginners who want a guaranteed result without a steep learning curve. The only real bummer is that the flavor can lean a bit more toward ‘artificial’ compared to botanical kits, as you are relying on an extract rather than raw ingredients.

Still, for a fun home brewing entry point, it’s hard to beat the convenience of having everything—even the funnel—included in one box.

For the person who actually wants to understand the chemistry of soda, this kit is a total game-changer. Instead of just mixing a syrup, you are working with actual botanicals, roots, and barks to create a custom syrup from scratch.

It includes Demerara sugar and maltodextrin, which gives the finished drink a heavy, velvety mouthfeel that puts grocery store cans to shame. You get to use a steeping bag to extract those deep, earthy flavors, making the whole kitchen smell like a 19th-century apothecary.

It is a fantastic gift for a foodie or a hobbyist who appreciates hand-assembled quality. Just be aware that this process is much more involved and time-consuming than using an extract.

You also have to provide your own plastic soda bottles, as it only comes with specialty carbonation caps and the ingredients. If you don’t mind the extra prep work, the frothy, old-fashioned result is significantly more complex and rewarding than any pre-mixed alternative.

If you are looking to turn your kitchen into a mini-bottling plant for the weekend, the SodaFun kit is a fantastic place to start. What I love about this setup is that it feels like a complete hobby in a box rather than just a one-off experiment.

You get enough concentrate to whip up a 1-gallon batch of classic root beer, and the flavor profile is surprisingly rich—it hits those nostalgic, creamy notes perfectly when paired with vanilla ice cream. The standout for me is the bonus ginger ale recipe included, which gives you a second project to tackle once the root beer is gone.

It comes with four 1-liter reusable bottles and a carbonation kit, so you don’t have to scrounge for containers. This is perfect for parents looking for a hands-on science project with their kids.

However, keep in mind that the one-gallon capacity is relatively small, so if you are hosting a large party, you will run through your supply very quickly.

The Mr. Root Beer kit is the gold standard for anyone who wants a high-yield, ‘old-fashioned’ soda experience without a steep learning curve.

This Value Pack is a massive win because it includes a free refill kit, allowing you to brew a total of 2 gallons of root beer. The process is straightforward: you use the included brewery wash to keep things sterile, mix your ingredients using the provided funnel, and let the yeast do the work.

It is specifically designed for families, featuring a ‘fun guide’ that explains the science behind the bubbles. It produces a very foamy, creamy head that looks great in a glass.

The only real headache here is the bottling labels; they tend to peel off if the bottles get even slightly damp from condensation in the fridge, which can make your storage area look a bit messy. It is a great gift for a budding DIY enthusiast who appreciates a good value.

If you are looking for a weekend project to do with the kids, this kit from Copernicus Toys is a fantastic starting point. It feels like a little science experiment in your kitchen because you get to watch the natural yeast carbonate the soda right in the bottle.

It comes with the essentials like sassafras extract, a handy funnel, and even some labels to make your bottles look official. I love that it uses all-natural ingredients and is made in the USA, which gives me peace of mind when the kids are drinking it.

It makes about two gallons, so there is plenty to go around at a birthday party or family dinner. The flavor is much more complex and ‘herbal’ than the syrupy stuff you buy at the grocery store.

However, you do need to provide your own plastic bottles and sugar, which is a bit of a bummer if you were hoping to start brewing the second the box arrived.

This BrewDemon kit is definitely for the adults in the room who want something with a bit more kick. It is a hard root beer recipe that clocks in at about 5.0% ABV, giving you a ‘wicked-good’ craft soda experience at home.

What really stands out here is the flavor profile; it is loaded with vanilla and cinnamon notes that create a really rich, earthy taste. A huge plus for many will be the gluten-free ingredients, making it a safe choice for those with sensitivities.

While it is designed as a refill for their conical fermenter, you can actually use it with any one-gallon system you already have. It is incredibly fast to prep, taking just a few minutes before you let it sit.

The only real catch is that this is an ingredients-only refill kit, so if you don’t already own a fermenter, airlock, and bottles, you won’t be able to get started right away.