No. Root beer was once known as "sarsaparilla". Or 'sassyfrass'.
Root beer
Root beer
Coke-Cola
diet root beer
cherry coke
root beer, RC cola
Root beer was created before Coca-Cola. The origins of root beer date back to the early 19th century, with various recipes emerging from different herbal and medicinal beverages. In contrast, Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. Thus, root beer predates Coke by several decades.
Root beer is a sweet, carbonated beverage traditionally flavored with sassafras or sarsaparilla, often featuring a unique blend of spices and herbs, while Coca-Cola is a cola-flavored soft drink made with a secret formula that includes caramel, vanilla, and caffeine. Root beer is typically non-caffeinated and is often enjoyed as a nostalgic or classic American drink. In contrast, Coca-Cola is known for its distinctive cola flavor and is one of the most popular soft drinks worldwide.
Barq's root beer is made and owned by the Coca-Cola Company. It is bottles by members of the Bottlers Association under the authority of the Coca-Cola Company.
Well, honey, Coca-Cola doesn't own A&W Root Beer, but they did have a little fling back in the day. A&W used to be part of the Coca-Cola family, but they split up like a messy divorce in the '90s. So, to answer your question, no, Coke doesn't own A&W Root Beer anymore.
Citric acid, which is also supplied by concentrated orange juice (a separate ingredient). Neither Coca-Cola or root beers will normally have this.
"Hippies" drank the same things everyone else drank: tea, coffee, cola, root beer, beer, hard liquor, water, sprite, etc.