If someone were to offer you a Dandelion and Burdock, you might think they were offering you two lovely flowers. In this respects you would not be wrong, BUT it is much more likely that they wanted to give you one of the most iconic English soft-drinks.
And this one very much close to my heart as I not only remember drinking it as a kid, but also my grandma telling me about she used to pick said flowers to be made into said drink. Alas it seemed to disappear for a while, BUT is making somewhat of a comeback.
The History of Dandelion and Burdock
Dandelion and Burdock’s history stretches back to the 13th century, with an intriguing twist. According to legend, St. Thomas Aquinas, after a night of heavy drinking and prayer, (in that order) sought divine help to create a remedy for his ailments (hangover). Apparently the first two things his lazy hungover ass found were dandelion and burdock from where he turned them into a fermented drink,
For centuries, it remained a fermented tonic, widely used for its supposed health benefits. By the 18th century, the drink had evolved into a carbonated soft drink, gaining significant traction in temperance bars. These alcohol-free venues, which sound like hell on earth would at least help the soft-drink scene by helping promote other great non-booze drinks like ginger beer, Vimto, Cola and the like.
As the 20th century rolled in, Dandelion and Burdock became synonymous with British refreshment. Its popularity was so profound that, in the early days of carbonated soft drinks, the creators of Dr. Pepper allegedly sought to buy the recipe for the iconic drink. However, they were refused, and the recipe remained firmly in British hands, although one wonders how different things might have been had they wold out. Whether this is completely true or not we do not know, but there is certainly evidence it at least influenced the good Doctor.
By the mid-20th century, Dandelion and Burdock was a fixture in British households, alongside other fizzy drinks like Shandy Bass. But as the 1990s arrived, the soft drink’s popularity waned, and it nearly faded into obscurity, overshadowed by newer and dare we say it foreign beverages!
Yet, the 21st century saw a nostalgic revival. Alongside other classic drinks, Dandelion and Burdock made a comeback, tapping into a renewed interest in retro British soft drinks. Today, it remains a beloved symbol of British nostalgia, connecting a new generation to the quirky, herbal drink that’s been around for over 700 years.
So, WTF is Dandelion and Burdock?
In the 21st century, Dandelion and Burdock typically contains carbonated water, sugar, natural flavourings, and extracts from the dandelion and burdock roots, though modern versions often skip the fermentation process. Some recipes include other botanicals, such as licorice, adding to its distinctive taste.
No one is really brewing it the old-fashioned way with fermented roots anymore—most versions today are mass-produced and rely on flavouring rather than traditional ingredients. In terms of taste, it’s often compared to drinks like sarsaparilla and Dr. Pepper, with its herbal, slightly sweet, and complex flavour profile. While Dr. Pepper is more spiced and artificial, Dandelion and Burdock retains that earthy, root-based complexity, making it a nostalgic throwback to the days of old-school British soft drinks.
I would therefore include it in #SarsaparillaQuest while also acknowledging that Dandelion and Burdock is very much its own thing. In said quest I would give it at least a 9/10.
Can you mix Dandelion and Burdock with Liquor?
So, now we get to the most important part, can you mix it? Well I personally have always felt Dr Pepper with Vodka, or Rum was massively underrated as a mixer and thus Dandelion and Burdock is somewhat the same.
It mixes with both and while I am not aware of any, I feel it would either go well in, or is ripe for the invention of cocktail that somehow integrates it.