Not necessarily. Before artificial flavors, both could be made from sarsaparilla root, but US root beer was frequently made from sassafras root, while sarsaparilla was sometimes made from birch oil (which can also be used for birch beer, which is also tastes different). When you get the real thing from one of the remaining makers, there is a difference in flavor.
WUStLBear82
2024-05-10 02:53:06 +0000 UTC
Sarsaparilla = root beer for international audience