Root Beer Pearls

Nostalgic and fizzy, root beer pearls bring playful sweetness to ice cream, floats, and retro desserts.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (125mL) root beer (flat, de-carbonated)
  • ½ cup (125mL) water
  • ½ tsp (2g) sodium alginate
  • 1½ tsp (6g) calcium chloride
  • 2 cups (500mL) ice-cold water (for bath)

Instructions

  1. Remove Bubbles
    • Let root beer sit open until fully flat. Combine with water.
  2. Blend Base
    • Blend flat root beer with sodium alginate on low for 1 minute.
  3. Rest
    • Let rest for 30–45 minutes to remove bubbles.
  4. Strain
    • Pass through a sieve into The Spherificator®.
  5. Prepare Bath
    • Dissolve calcium chloride in 500mL cold water.
  6. Form Pearls
    • Drop into bath. Cure 60 seconds.
  7. Finish
    • Rinse gently. Serve with sweets or cold drinks.

Expert Tips

Flavor Ideas
  • Float style: Serve with vanilla ice cream pearls.
  • Spiced: Add pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Texture Tips
  • Smoother pearls: Let mixture fully rest and strain well.
  • Thicker skin: Cure 15 seconds longer.
Troubleshooting
  • If too sweet: Dilute base with more water.
  • If pearls flatten: Increase alginate slightly.
Serving Ideas
  • Classic: Use on root beer floats or sundaes.
  • Creative: Add to cocktails or mini cupcakes.
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