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Since sarsaparilla (botanical Aralia nudicaulis, Spanish sarza - bramble or shrub, parilla - vine, also called Smilax), also called sassparilla (sassafras & sarsaparilla) and sas'parilla, is almost always flavored primarily with sassafras, and the additional spice of sarsaparilla (and very few people can taste any difference between sarsaparilla and root beer made by the same company), Root Beer World considers sarsaparilla to be root beer. For a different view, see Sarsaparilla vs. Root Beer.
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Bottoms up!
Kevin Guske

So heres a tribute toast with root beer in hand to you and the many mugs of suds along your happy trails. --Charles Wysocki, artist and root beer fan, 1928-2002

The commercial sarsaparillas may be just like commercial root beer, but the real stuff is not.

True sarsaparillas are Smilax species ("greenbriars") and grow all over the world. Not all Smilax species are called Sarsaparilla however. Mexican sarsaparillas were brought to America at an early date. It was thus more commonly brewed as a soft drink in the West where sassafras is not found. These were most likely Smilax medica and Smilax aristolochiaefolia.
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The Aralia species are more appropriately called Spikenard. Spikenard has been used in many root beers as it is native to the United States. We have one variety here in California called California Spikenard (Aralia californica).
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Another "sarsaparilla" is Indian Sarsaparilla, Hemidesmus indica. This is often sold in bags at home brew suppliers.

Real sarsaparilla is more acrid than sassafras. The smell is not "root beery" like the obvious smell of sassafras. Sarsaparilla is good, but usually not good enough in taste and odor to stand on its own. It is best mixed with sassafras. Sarsaparilla and spikenard have similar tonic properties.

Some sarsaparilla history and chemistry:
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Parsa

Parsa,

Thank you for the well-informed addition to the root beer vs. sarsaparilla debate! Your contribution is one of the main reasons I started the forums - so other, more knowledgeable people could share their knowledge with visitors to the site.

Thanks again!