Culver's, a beloved restaurant chain, has cultivated its own identity through unique, delicious menu items. Perhaps the most iconic item on Culver's menu isn't a burger but the root beer, brown and bubbly that really shines on the Culver's menu. His enjoyment of the refreshing beverage led him to not only add root beer to the Culver's menu but also make his own root beer recipe. In the 40 years since Culver's first opened its doors, its root beer has remained a customer favorite, with many singing its praises over other brands.
A Dive into Culver's Diet Root Beer
The central question revolves around the ingredients of Culver's diet root beer. Understanding these components is essential for those with dietary restrictions, allergies, or simply a desire to know what they're consuming.
The Controversy
In recent years, there has been talk that Culver's root beer isn't all that it seems. For decades, Culver's served its own store brand root beer along with Pepsi products in its soda fountains. But in 2023, Culver's made the switch to Coca-Cola products. Even though the chain assured customers that there would be no changes to its signature root beer, diet root beer, or iced tea products, some customers have noticed a distinct change in the flavor of Culver's root beer drinks. In fact, one Redditor on r/Culvers suggested that Culver's root beer is actually Barq's brand root beer. The poster included an image of a Barq's label on a drink dispenser as proof. However, many rebuffed this claim, noting that Barq's is owned by Coca-Cola, which only took over soft drinks at Culver's in 2023. This wouldn't account for the root beer served at Culver's prior to 2023. Other commenters noted that this could have simply been a mistake in labeling, and that the nutritional information for Culver's root beer simply doesn't align with that of Barq's.
Culver's Menu: A Glimpse at Other Ingredients
While the exact ingredient list for Culver's diet root beer remains somewhat elusive, examining the ingredients of other menu items provides insight into the types of components Culver's typically uses. Here's a breakdown of some notable ingredients found in various Culver's offerings:
- Dairy Products: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Whey, Milkfat, Butter (Cream, Salt), Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sour Cream (Cultured Nonfat Milk And Cream, Corn Starch, Whey, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Carob Bean Gum, Enzymes).
- Sweeteners: Sugar, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Invert Sugar, Dextrose, Molasses, Honey, Powdered Sugar (sugar, corn starch), Glucose.
- Fats and Oils: Soybean Oil, Palm Kernel and Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Canola, Modified Palm Oils), Interesterified Soybean Oil, Rendered Chicken Fat (Chicken Fat, Natural Flavoring).
- Flour and Grains: Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Rye Flour, Graham Flour, Tapioca Flour, Corn Flour.
- Proteins: Nonfat Milk, Milk Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten, Wheat Protein, Soy Protein, Egg, Egg Yolk, Pea protein.
- Emulsifiers and Stabilizers: Soy Lecithin, Sunflower Lecithin, Mono and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Alginate, Modified Food Starch, Corn Starch, Distilled Monoglycerides, Distilled Propylene Glycol Monoesters.
- Preservatives: Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Calcium Disodium EDTA.
- Flavorings: Natural Flavors, Artificial Flavors, Natural Bourbon Vanilla Flavor, Cheese Flavor Blend (Enzyme Modified Cheese And Butter [Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Butter (Cream, Salt), Cheese Culture, Enzymes], Whey, Buttermilk Solids, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid), Cream Flavor (Lactose, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cream Powder [Cream, Non-Fat Milk, Soy Lecithin], Modified Cornstarch, Milk Fat, Mannitol, Xanthan Gum, Artificial Color, Salt, Natural Flavoring), Natural Yeast Flavor (Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor).
- Other Additives: Salt, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Baking Powder, Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate), Caramel Color, Annatto Color, Turmeric and Paprika (spice and color), Ascorbic Acid, Vinegar.
- Specific Ingredients from Menu Items:
- American Cheese: Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Water, Cream, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Sorbic Acid (preservative), Citric Acid, Color Added, Soy Lecithin and Sunflower Lecithin for Separation.
- Andes® Creme De Menthe Thins: Sugar, Palm Kernel and Palm Oil, Cocoa processed with alkali, Nonfat Milk, Lactose, Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Lecithin (emulsifier), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Peppermint Oil, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake.
- Mint Custard (Andes Mint Avalanche Flavor of the Day): Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, and 2% or less of Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan.
- Mint Syrup (Andes Mint Avalanche Flavor of the Day): Corn Syrup, Sugar, Water, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Modified Corn Starch, and less than 2% of Salt, Peppermint Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Mono & Diglycerides, Yellow 5 and Blue 1.
- Novelty Chocolate Flavored Topping (Andes Mint Avalanche Flavor of the Day): Powdered Sugar (sugar, corn starch), Soybean Oil, Cocoa processed with Alkali, Coconut Oil, Milk Fat, Cocoa Butter, and 2% or less of Soy Lecithin, Salt, and Natural Flavor.
- Roast Beef: Water, Roasted Beef and Beef Juices, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Food Starch-Modified, Salt, Onion Powder, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten, Wheat Protein and Soy Protein, Sugar, Caramel Color, Soybean Oil, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Flavoring.
- Cheddar Cheese: Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Powdered Cellulose (to prevent caking), Natamycin (to protect flavor).
- Blueberry Cheesecake Flavor of the Day: Vanilla Frozen Custard: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Blueberries, Invert Sugar, and 2% or Less of Water, Modified Food Starch, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (color), Xanthan Gum, and Locust Bean Gum., Eli's® Cheesecake Pieces: Cream Cheese (Pasteurized Milk And Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Carob Bean Gum, Guar Gum), Sugar, Egg, Graham Crumb (Unbleached Unenriched Wheat Flour, Graham Flour, Sugar, Palm Oil, Molasses, Honey, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate), Sour Cream (Cultured Nonfat Milk And Cream, Corn Starch, Whey, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Carob Bean Gum, Enzymes), Wheat Flour, Maltodextrin, Water, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Soybean Oil, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Natural Bourbon Vanilla Flavor.
- Clam Chowder: Milk, Dehydrated Potatoes (Potatoes, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate), Chopped Clams (Clams, Clam Juice, Sodium Tripolyphosphate), Modified Cornstarch, Celery, Soybean Oil, Margarine (Soybean And Hydrogenated Soybean Oils, Water, Salt, Mono And Diglycerides [Soy], Soy Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Beta Carotene [Color], Vitamin A Palmitate), Contains 2% Or Less Of:Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Salt, Seasoning (Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Spice, Autolyzed Yeast, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Dehydrated Garlic, Natural Flavor), Minced Pollock (Contains Up To 1% Cod), Natural And Artificial Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavor, Codfish Roe Powder, Parsley.
- Cod Filet: Cod Filet, Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Salt, Rye Flour, Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate), Dextrose, Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Canola, Modified Palm Oils), Dried Whey, Spices, Buttermilk, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Soy Lecithin, and Xanthan Gum. Cooked in Canola Oil.
- Shrimp: Shrimp, Wheat Flour, Water, Breadcrumbs (wheat flour, salt), Modified Tapioca Starch, Salt, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Corn Flour, Dextrose, Palm Oil, Yeast, Pepper, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate, Pepper Extract, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Sodium Alginate, Shrimp Paste Powder, Leavening (sodium bicarbonate, disodium diphosphate), Sodium Tripolyphosphate, and Sodium Metabisulfite (preservative). Cooked in Canola Oil.
- Brioche Bun: Enriched What Flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Yeast, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Wheat Gluten, Salt, Cultured Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Soybean Oil, Corn Flour, Guar Gum, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, Enzymes, Corn Starch, Dextrin, Vinegar, Spices, Turmeric and Paprika (spice and color), Ascorbic Acid, Triglycerides, Sheen (water, pea protein, dextrose, maltodextrin, modified food starch).
- Broccoli Cheese Soup: Milk, Water, Broccoli, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Skim Milk, Sodium Phosphate, Whey, Milkfat, Salt, Sodium Alginate, Sorbic Acid [Preservative], Apocarotenal [Color]), Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Skim Milk, Salt, Milkfat, Artificial Color), Modified Food Starch, Rendered Chicken Fat (Chicken Fat, Natural Flavoring), Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt, Cheese Flavor Blend (Enzyme Modified Cheese And Butter [Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Butter (Cream, Salt), Cheese Culture, Enzymes], Whey, Buttermilk Solids, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid), Cream Flavor (Lactose, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cream Powder [Cream, Non-Fat Milk, Soy Lecithin], Modified Cornstarch, Milk Fat, Mannitol, Xanthan Gum, Artificial Color, Salt, Natural Flavoring), Annatto Color, Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate, Natural Yeast Flavor (Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor), Emulsifier (Distilled Monoglycerides, Distilled Propylene Glycol Monoesters, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid), White Pepper.
- Brownie Pieces: Enriched Wheat Flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Eggs, Corn Syrup, Invert Sugar, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Interesterified Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, and Baking Powder.
- Brownie Batter Overload Flavor of the Day: Vanilla Frozen Custard: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Brownie Pieces: Enriched Wheat Flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Eggs, Corn Syrup, Invert Sugar, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Interesterified Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, and Baking Powder, Brownie Batter: Brownie Pieces: Enriched Wheat Flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Eggs, Corn Syrup, Invert Sugar, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Interesterified Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, and Baking Powder, Water, Salted Caramel: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cream, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, and Natural Flavors.
- Brownie Thunder Flavor of the Day: Vanilla Frozen Custard: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Brownie Pieces: Enriched Wheat Flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Eggs, Corn Syrup, Invert Sugar, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Interesterified Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, and Baking Powder, Salted Caramel: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cream, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, and Natural Flavors.
- Buffalo Seasoned Chicken Tender: Chicken Tender, Water, Seasoning (Salt, Spices, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Paprika Extract (color), Spice Extract and Gum Arabic and <2% of Silicon Dioxide (anti-caking agent)), Modified Tapioca Starch, Sodium Phosphates. Breaded and Battered with: Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Spices, Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Calcium Carbonate, Garlic Powder, Dehydrated Bell Pepper Powder, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate, Extractive of Paprika (color), Spice Extractive, Onion Powder, and Gum Arabic. Cooked in Canola Oil.
- Butterfinger Pieces: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Peanuts, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel And Palm Oil), Peanut Flour, Nonfat Milk, And Less Than 2% Of Cocoa, Milk, Salt, Yellow Corn Flour, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Annatto (color).
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing: Water, Soybean Oil, Distilled Vinegar, Egg Yolks, and Less Than 2% of Salt, Nonfat Dry Milk, Modified Food Starch, Buttermilk, Sugar, Lactic Acid, Corn Syrup Solids, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Onion, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Sorbate (As Preservatives), Garlic, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Spice, Parsley*, Disodium Inosinate & Disodium Guanylate, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA Added To Protect Flavor. *Dehydrated.
- Butter Pecan Flavor of the Day: White Custard Mix: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, and 2% or less of Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Butter Pecan Syrup: Pure Cane Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt., Salted Caramel: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cream, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, and Natural Flavors, Pecans, Vegetable Oil (Peanut, Cottonseed, Soybean and/or Sunflower Seed), Sea Salt.
- Caramel Cashew Flavor of the Day: Vanilla Frozen Custard: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Salted Caramel: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cream, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, and Natural Flavors, Cashews: Cashews, Vegetable Oil (Peanut, Cottonseed, Soybean and/or Sunflower Seed), Salt.
- Caramel Chocolate Pecan Flavor of the Day: Chocolate Frozen Custard: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Whey, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Cocoa processed with alkali, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, and Carrageenan, Pecans: Pecans, Vegetable Oil (Peanut, Cottonseed, Soybean and/or Sunflower Seed), Sea Salt, Salted Caramel: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cream, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, and Natural Flavors, Dove Semisweet Chocolate: Sugar, Chocolate, Chocolate Processed with Alkali, Cocoa Butter, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, And Natural Flavor.
- Caramel Fudge Cookie Dough Flavor of the Day: Vanilla Frozen Custard: Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Wheat Flour, Sugar, Butter (Cream, Salt), Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (emulsifier), Vanilla Extract, Milk), Molasses, Palm Oil, Water, Corn Starch, Soybean Oil, Natural & Artificial Vanilla, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Salted Caramel: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (skim milk, sugar, corn syrup), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cream, Butter (cream, salt), and less than 2% of Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, and Natural Flavors, Fudge Topping: Hot Fudge: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup), Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa processed with alkali, Corn Starch, and less than 2% of Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Artificial Flavor, and Sodium Alginate.
Potential Ingredients in Culver's Diet Root Beer
Based on the ingredients found in other Culver's products and general knowledge of diet soda formulations, here's a plausible list of ingredients that might be found in Culver's diet root beer:
Read also: Balanced Diet at Culver's
- Carbonated Water: The base of any soda.
- Caramel Color: For the characteristic brown color.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, acesulfame potassium, or sucralose are common in diet sodas.
- Natural and Artificial Flavors: To replicate the root beer flavor.
- Phosphoric Acid or Citric Acid: For tartness and preservation.
- Sodium Benzoate or Potassium Benzoate: Preservatives.
- Quillaia Extract: A natural foaming agent sometimes used in root beer.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide