Beverage Chronicles with Gary Monterosso

Root Beer, Vodka, and the Unexpected Science in Your Glass

This episode of Beverage Chronicles explores the nostalgic origins of root beer, from its sassafras‑root beginnings to its clever rebranding by Charles Hires in the 1870s. It then shifts to the rise of flavored vodka and how it reshaped modern drinking culture, before closing with a surprising look at how everyday fruit juice can naturally ferment into low‑alcohol beverages. Together, the segments highlight how tradition, innovation, and chemistry all shape what we drink.