Homemade Root Beer - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 ounce dried sassafras root, bark (optional)
1/4 ounce dried birch bark
1/4 ounce dried sarsaparilla root
1/8 ounce dried licorice root
1 inch piece gingerroot, thinly sliced
1 split vanilla bean
4 quarts water, divided
2 cups molasses
1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast

Preparation

Put dried bark and roots and vanilla in 2 quarts water in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 2 hours.
Strain liquid through cheesecloth into a clean plastic pitcher. Add 2 quarts of filtered water, cool to 75 degrees.
Stir molasses and yeast into liquid, allow to sit 15 minutes. Pour into four clean, dry 1 liter soda bottles to 2\" below top.
Screw lids on tightly, set aside at room temperature for 12 hours. Chill for 2 days, it will taste strongly of molasses, or chill for 3-5 days for a milder taste. Open slowly and carefully.