I’m so excited about this butterbeer recipe! It is easy to make with only 4 ingredients. The first time my family saw the characters of Harry Potter enjoying this tasty drink we knew we had to have it. Off to Universal Studios we went! While I enjoy heading over to Universal Studios for some butterbeer with my family, not everyone is able to do the same. The good news is we have a delicious recipe you can enjoy at home and it is just as delicious!
Delicious Butterbeer Recipe For Everyone
We are hosting a Harry Potter themed birthday party this year, and you better believe I am serving up some kid-safe, non alcoholic butterbeer, though we left some special notes for adults who want a more grown up version of this delicious drink.
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People of all ages love this tasty drink because it’s super sweet! The best part is, we don’t have to travel to the Three Broomsticks to enjoy this homemade butterbeer recipe!
What Is Butterbeer?
If you’re not familiar with the Harry Potter books or films, you might be wondering, What is butterbeer? Is it really beer? Does it contain alcohol?
Butterbeer is a (sort of) fictional beverage that the Harry Potter book characters drink when they visit “The Three Broomsticks” and “Hog’s Head Pub.” (Think cream soda meets butterscotch flavor with a whipped topping.)
Butterbeer At Universal Studios
One of our favorite things to do as a family is to head to Universal Studios and check out the Harry Potter Theme Park.
When we’re there, we always try this frothy and yummy drink! Trust me: It’s delicious! It really is the perfect drink after riding rides and walking around.
According to a Universal spokesman, up to 50% of all the people that come through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, try a Butterbeer before they leave!
If you don’t have plans to visit Universal Studios anytime soon and you’re curious about butterbeer, you can make this delicious beverage at home with just a few ingredients.
Although there are several butterbeer recipes floating around the web, the butterbeer recipe below is our favorite, and is based on the taste of the Butterbeer approved by JK Rowling at Universal’s Harry Potter theme Park.
It’s almost a copycat recipe with a few tweaks here and there, but this famed butterbeer is still delicious with a wizarding world feel.
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Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe
What is ButterBeer Made Of?
You’ll need just three ingredients to make Harry Potter butterbeer, and a fourth ingredient — heavy cream — to create the sweet topping. This popular wizarding drink is served cold, frozen, and sometimes hot (only in the winter time) at Universal Studios.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda
- ½ cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
- ½ tablespoon butter
- heavy cream (optional)
- Mugs (Click here for the glass mugs in the pictures)
What is butterbeer made of in Harry Potter?
No one is exactly sure what is inside the Harry Potter butterbeer vaguely described in the books, but it is assumed it was a non-alcoholic version of buttered beer.
What is butterbeer foam made of?
There are several different versions of butterbeer you can make that may have other ingredients creating the foam. In our recipe, the whipped cream makes a lovely butterbeer foam on top.
How to Make Butterbeer
Step 1
Let your butter sit out until it is softened.
Step 2
Then pour the butterscotch syrup into a bowl. Butterscotch is what gives the butterbeer its main flavor.
Step 3
Add the softened butter. Some recipes call for butter extract, but we like the creamy goodness of the real thing.
Step 4
Then combine the syrup and butter.
Step 5
Pour cream soda into the mixture and stir.
Step 6
Set aside.
Step 7
In a separate mixing bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks. It will take a hot minute by hand, but will go faster with a stand mixer. Don’t over whip or you’ll end up with fresh butter.
Step 8
Pour the cream soda and butterscotch mixture into two clear mugs, and top with a dollop or two of whipped cream.
Notes from Our Experience Making Butterbeer at Home
Alcoholic Butter Beer for Adults
I did say this diy butterbeer was for adults too, and while this is fine as is, you could make this an adult drink (for ages 21+) and add butterscotch schnapps to your butterbeer or some vanilla vodka.
It’s a fun adult spin on the drink that still leaves the sweet fun. You’ll only want to add a little bit or else it may change the flavor.
Make the Butterbeer Sweeter
If you want a sweeter whipped cream you can also add a couple tablespoons of powdered sugar and pure vanilla extract to the heavy whipped cream mixture.
How this Butterbeer Recipe Compares with Universal Studios
- After having both the butterbeer in Universal and trying this butterbeer recipe, it tastes just like the real thing. This simple recipe will make you the most popular drink in the Harry Potter world that I think (almost) all Harry Potter fans will love.
- This really is the best butterbeer recipe I have come across.
- If butterbeer isn’t your thing, give this Pumpkin Juice a try. It tastes a lot like apple cider. Yum!
- These two sweet Potterhead drinks, butterbeer and pumpkin juice, would be fun to make for a Harry Potter viewing party .
Harry Potter Butter Beer Recipe
A creamy, buttery, butterscotchy drink made famous by the Harry Potter books.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz) cream soda
- ½ cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
- ½ tablespoon butter
- Heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
1. Pour the butterscotch syrup into a bowl.
2. Add the softened butter. Combine the syrup and butter.
3. Pour cream soda into the mixture and stir. Set aside.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until
it forms stiff peaks.
5. Pour the cream soda and butterscotch mixture into
clear mugs.
6. Top the butterbeer with a few dollops of whipped cream and enjoy!
MORE HARRY POTTER FUN FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG?
- If you’re going to make Harry Potter drinks for your party, why not also whip up some Harry Potter treats?
- Once you finish with this butterbeer recipe, be sure to try out these Harry Potter Sorting Hat cupcakes! This Harry Potter recipe is so cool.
- Here are two of my favorite Harry Potter activities: Visit the Harry Potter Escape Room or call Hogwarts!
- Throwing a party? You’ll definitely wanna check out these Harry Potter birthday party ideas for your next Harry Potter party.
- Love all things Harry Potter? So do we! You’ll definitely want to check out all this awesome Harry Potter merch while you’re sipping your butterbeer!
- Want more Harry Potter recipes, activities, and more? We’ve got it!
- Check out our free Harry Potter coloring pages
- And create your own Harry Potter spells book with this free printable HP activity.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate a Harry Potter themed party? How did your homemade butterbeer recipe turn out?
This didn’t turn out well for me either. The butter and butterscotch sauce solidified once I tried mixing the cold cream soda with it.
Thank you for your feedback, and I’m sorry to hear that!
We are definitely Harry Potter fans in my house. This butterbeer recipe is exactly what we have been looking for!
My kids have been begging to try butterbeer since reading about it in Harry Potter. They’ll be happy to know I found this recipe so we can finally make some!
We just rewatched all the movies with our kids as a family. I wish we had this butterbeer recipe then!! It would have been so fun to serve during the movies! Oh well, I guess that means we need to watch them again. LOL
I cannot wait to try this butterbeer! It looks absolutely magical!
This butterbeer recipe makes such a fun follow up activity to reading the Harry Potter books and watching the movies!