Dry Ice Root Beer!

Original recipe from Hires Big H (check out their website for a video tutorial and the recipe calculated to double or half).

This is our July 4th party-pleaser.  Round up a 4-gallon spigot cooler and mix this yummy treat up before the fireworks begin. Combine with vanilla ice cream for delicious root beer floats!

Makes 2 gallons to serve 30.

Ingredients:

• 5 c sugar
• 1/4 c Hires Big H root beer extract
• 6 qt water
• 2 lbs broken dry ice*

Directions:

1. In a 2-quart pitcher, mix sugar, concentrate, and water to fill until dissolved.  Keep cool until ready to serve.
2. In spigot cooler, combine mixture with remaining ~6 quarts water.  
3. Gather everyone around--this is the fun part!  Wearing clean leather gloves, carefully slide dry ice into the cooler.  Watch it bubble and fizz!  
4. Stir the dry ice every 10 minutes to prevent it from clumping at the bottom. Tilt the lid of the cooler to keep the dry ice bubbling longer. Enjoy!

*Buying dry ice: Remember in most states you need to be 18 or older to buy dry ice. Call your local grocery store to find out if they sell it. Usually if they don't, they can lead you to the nearest place who will. Check to be sure it will be in stock on the day you want to buy it, as carriers commonly run out of dry ice before their next shipment arrives. You can buy dry ice the day before it is needed as long as you store it in an air-tight container, like a cooler, in your freezer. Keep in mind it is always slowly evaporating, so buy a little extra if you want to be on the safe side.