Sarsaparilla and root beer are both very popular beverages made from roots and vines. Known as Sarsi in most Southeast Asian countries, its trademark flavor is often compared to root beer.

Is sarsi a Rootbeer?

Sarsaparilla is a soft drink originally made from the vine Smilax ornata (also called 'sarsaparilla') or other plants. In most Southeast Asian countries, it is known by the common name sarsi, and the trademarks Sarsi and Sarsae. It is similar in flavour to root beer.

Are root beer and sarsaparilla the same?

Both beverages are named after their distinct differences in ingredients when they were first made. Sarsaparilla was made from the Sarsaparilla vine, while Root Beer, roots of the sassafras tree. These days, Root Beer recipes do not include sassafras as the plant has been found to cause serious health issues.