Monday, May 9, 2016

Soda Folk: It Floats My Boat


Root beer was a firm staple in my American household. We had a specific, oversized glass mug reserved for root beer floats, which my dad would make for me after dinner: two scoops of vanilla ice cream, root beer filled up to the brim with a long spoon and straw stuck in the middle. I'd sit at the dinner table, my legs dangling off the chair as I swirled mixed the two together to make one, delicious iced treat.

When I moved to London nearly a decade ago, root beer didn't exist. Or, it wasn't readily available. So when Byron came on to the burger scene and started serving it on their menus, I was ecstatic. Today, they stock Soda Folk root beer and cream soda (another beverage from my American childhood) - a company with its roots in Colorado and one that was founded by an American expat like me.

I love Soda Folk's root beer because, unlike other brands on the market, it's made in small batches using natural ingredients and sweetened with cane sugar. If you've never tried root beer before, it's the best place to start: Soda Folk's cans have a lovely, maple syrup finish that lingers on the tongue long after you've taken the last swig.

After a dizzying week at work, my friend Caroline and I headed to Byron for burgers and - you guessed it - root beer and cream soda.


I'm often asked about my favorite burger in London. Fair question, since a lot of American chains have now opened in the city and other burger joints have their own cult following (and special sauces). But my friend (and fellow American expat) Jodi and I have always loved the burgers at Byron. They're simple, well made, and the staff always give me extra pickles when I ask (nicely!). Pickles that are cold, tangy, crisp, and satisfyingly crunchy - just like the ones back home.

Case in point (I'll ask for one and will normally get three or four):


I order the same thing every time I go to Byron: cheeseburger (with American cheese and extra pickles), a side of fries and a Soda Folk root beer. And it always hits the spot.


After we polished off our burgers, we headed straight for the root beer and cream soda floats. As I stirred the ice cream into my soft drink, it brought back so many memories of sharing the dessert with my dad before his diabetes prevented him from having any sweets at all. It made me a little teary!

The taste of Soda Folk's root beer makes me feel like I'm getting a little slice of "home". It's comforting and familiar.


Have you ever tried root beer or cream soda? What did you think? John doesn't like it! I prefer it to any other kind of pop (yup, I said "pop" - I'm from the Pacific Northwest! Here's a handy and hilarious map that explains it all!). I'm thinking that I should keep a supply at home. Anyway, if you haven't tried it, I'd highly recommend popping down (pun intended) to your local Byron for a burger and a root beer float. Let me know what you think!

Caroline and I were generously hosted by Byron and Soda Folk - thank you! All opinions are my own.
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18 comments

  1. Yeeees, root beer was my childhood - those A&W (lol) floats with vanilla ice cream right move we popped into the movie theatre for a film. Major nostalgia moment right now. Although I am not American but it was weird when I asked my friend/BF (UK based) and they don't like it! Ha!

    Cherie | sinonym

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    1. So glad I'm not the only one, Cherie! I love root beer floats SO MUCH. Are you a cream soda fan too? I like the one from Soda Folk because it smells so much sweeter than it tastes. Sometimes, cream soda can be a little too sickly for my liking!

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  2. My dad loves A&W root beer from his time in Canada so much that it's what I get him for his birthday every year!

    I'm not entirely sold on it - it tastes a little like mouthwash to me, but maybe I haven't given it a proper chance.

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    1. John says it tastes medicinal! I think it's because I grew up with it ... I used to have an Arby's roast beef sandwich and a root beer at home, in addition to the root beer floats my dad made me so I've always loved it! Maybe give Soda Folk's a chance - it has that lovely maple syrup finish on the end which I haven't tasted in other brands.

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    2. I do love me some maple syrup. Maybe with a super crispy bacon sandwich! :D

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    3. YES! Wow, I actually drooled a little reading that comment.

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  3. Ohhhh kaaaaay, so back in the day a small shop opened up in my home town that sold lots of sweets and things that you couldn't get in the big shops in NZ. Sweets from other countries. Sweets that you had only ever heard about in movies. I was so excited to try root beer, having been fed only a pop culture diet of being told how good it was via the television. It was awful. I'm sorry. I have no idea how "authentic" the concoction I drank was, but bluuuuuuurgh! XD

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    1. You're breaking my heart, Frankie. Also, I can't vouch for the brand you tried back in the day, but I'd highly recommend giving it another go with Soda Folk. Seriously! *goes and cries into her pillow*

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  4. I love Byron burgers (and their positive affirmations when you order a burger 'well done'!), but I've never ever tried a root beer and cream soda float ... maybe I'll rectify that when I next visit Byron.

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    1. Haha, me too, Ruth! I've been a fan of theirs ever since they opened in London. Let me know what you think of the root beer or cream soda floats next time you're in!

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  5. I'm yet to taste a soda float but this has made me want one! Perfect combination with a Byron burger

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    1. They're really delicious, Suze! Lighter than a milkshake :)

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  6. Gaaaah! rootbeer floats were a staple of my childhood too - my favourite? A&W!
    And I love that you call them pickles instead of gherkins! =)

    Honey x The Girl Next Shore

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    1. No way! And yes to pickles all the way ... gherkins are those weird sweet-tasting things! :D :D :D x

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  7. I'm one of those strange non-Americans who adore root beer floats!

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  8. I love a good float too and Fredrik still thinks they are so weird!

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    1. They're SO delicious! I don't think John's ever had one before. I can't imagine he'd be a fan.

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