{
  "id": 2589569,
  "title": "The story of Zarzaparilla, an Indigenous root beer from Veracruz",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/the-story-of-zarzaparilla-an-indigenous-root-beer-from-veracruz",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T14:00:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mexico News Daily",
    "slug": "mexico-news-daily",
    "url": "https://mexiconewsdaily.com/gulf-coast/zarzaparilla-indigenous-root-beer-veracruz/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zarzaparilla, a traditional Mexican root beer with roots dating back centuries, originates from the mountain town of Teocelo in Veracruz. This regional variation of culture and flavor can be found throughout Mexico, particularly in Veracruz and its neighboring states. The drink's origins can be traced back to the 1920s when Don Manuel Flores started Teocelo's most famous zarza business. The recipe has been passed down through generations, with the current face of operations, Rubén Olivares, taking pride in the time-honored tradition. Zarzaparilla, a syrupy concentrate mixed with water, has been a popular medicinal remedy since the 19th century and was widely consumed in the United States by cowboys and ranchers.",
  "summary": "Veracruz is notable for its root beer, known as zarzaparilla, or zarza, locally, although it became famed during the \"Old West\" era as sasparilla, writes Alan Chazaro. The post The story of Zarzaparilla, an Indigenous root beer from Veracruz appeared first on Mexico News Daily",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}