Take 1 lb. of sasafras, 4 lbs of sarsaparilla, 2 lbs. hops, 1 lb. of camomile blows, 1 lb. of cinnamon, 5 lbs. of ginger, 1 pint of extract of sarsaparilla, boil them all together two hours; have ready steeped half a pound of green tea, which add, then strain into a vat or tub, and add ten galls. of molasses, and 100 galls of water. Stir in thoroughly 1 quart of yeast, and scent to suit your taste; let stand until fermented, then bottle for use.
Search google books for "Dr. Cronks sarsaparilla beer" and it's in "Hand Book of Practical Receipts, or Useful Hints in Every Day Life", by "An American Gentleman and a Lady" on p. 34. (via https://twitter.com/JNerissa/status/1275321511646126080 )
That’s a potentially dangerous recipe. Sassafras is currently banned for commercial food production in the US, as it’s a possible carcinogen. It would be worth doing additional research and weighing the risks before making such a drink.
That said, plenty of other comments point out that the timing of its indication as a carcinogen was a bit too convenient, and there are likely other factors at play. As always, do your research before actually following such a recipe.
I can appreciate that, but that's not what I meant at all. I was referring to the questionable nature that certain things are allowed or not in the first place. If we're banning things solely on them being carcinogenic, then we shouldn't let people go outside since sunlight can cause cancer.
DR. CRONK'S SARSAPARILLA BEER.
Take 1 lb. of sasafras, 4 lbs of sarsaparilla, 2 lbs. hops, 1 lb. of camomile blows, 1 lb. of cinnamon, 5 lbs. of ginger, 1 pint of extract of sarsaparilla, boil them all together two hours; have ready steeped half a pound of green tea, which add, then strain into a vat or tub, and add ten galls. of molasses, and 100 galls of water. Stir in thoroughly 1 quart of yeast, and scent to suit your taste; let stand until fermented, then bottle for use.
Search google books for "Dr. Cronks sarsaparilla beer" and it's in "Hand Book of Practical Receipts, or Useful Hints in Every Day Life", by "An American Gentleman and a Lady" on p. 34. (via https://twitter.com/JNerissa/status/1275321511646126080 )