Add a little magic to your life with this recipe straight out of the Wizarding World. Contrary to what the name might imply, this Harry Potter Butterbeer is non-alcoholic, making it the perfect fun treat for the whole family to enjoy. It’s made from cream soda topped with a butterscotch whipped cream and can be prepared in just a few minutes…almost like magic.
Butterbeer seemed like just another element from the Harry Potter series readers may never get to experience in person, until the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010. Fanatics of the series and skeptical park-goers alike have noted how delicious the drink is. Luckily, you no longer have to get to Florida, California, Japan or even Hogsmeade to give it a try. This copycat recipe is simple enough that you can make your own Butterbeer at home.
The ‘butter’ in Butterbeer actually refers to butterscotch, which is the main flavor component of the drink. While it has a cream soda base, don’t worry if you don’t usually enjoy the soft drink on its own. This recipe transforms it into a deliciously creamy, magical drink.
What is Butterbeer in Harry Potter?
In the books, Butterbeer is a drink that the characters often enjoy when they go to Hogsmeade, the all-wizarding village. It’s described as being loaded with butterscotch flavor and has a very minimal alcoholic content – small enough that the students still drink it, but large enough to inebriate house-elves. In the books, Butterbeer comes hot or cold. At the theme park, you can get it cold or frozen.
Ingredients for Harry Potter Butterbeer
- Butterscotch Syrup: Butterscotch is the most important ingredient in this recipe. It’s the very essence of Butterbeer! You’ll often be able to find it at the grocery store as a sundae topping, but most stores that sell coffee supplies will also carry a version. Of course, you can always buy it online or make it yourself if you have the time.
- Cream Soda: It’s best to use the golden color cream soda for the true look of butterbeer. You can find it at most places that sell soft drinks or order it online.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is super important in this recipe because it whips up, which is crucial to making a solid foam. It can be tempting to switch it out for non-dairy milk, but I wouldn’t advise it unless that’s the only way you can try this drink.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is going to dissolve easily into your whipped topping to give this drink even more sweetness.
- Butter: It’s called Butterbeer after all! Like heavy cream, butter is used in this recipe to add a real richness and thickness to the whipped portion of this drink, really defining the creamy consistency of the beverage.
How to Make Harry Potter Butterbeer
1. Whisk together cream soda and butterscotch syrup.
2. Beat heavy cream until stiff peak forms using a hand mixer.
3. Add powdered sugar, butterscotch syrup, and melted butter.
4. Continue to beat until combined.
5. Pour cream soda mixture into each glass.
6. Top with the butterscotch cream topping. Drizzle with more butterscotch syrup. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Butterbeer
- Use golden color cream soda: It will create that golden brown look of the butterbeer drink.
- Whipped topping: Make sure to beat your heavy cream to stiff peaks, so that it holds on its own, which will end up creating the perfect consistency for your Butterbeer.
- Don’t skip out on the fat: As tempting as it is to want to explore ‘healthier’ options of our favorite guilty treats, this probably isn’t the best recipe to find substitutes. The high-fat content in the heavy cream combined with the butter is going to give this drink the thickness you need for it to not just taste like soda with milk.
- Make a perfect presentation: Transfer the cream into a zip-top bag. Cut the tip of the bag off at the 1/2-inch mark so that you can easily pipe the cream on top of the drink.
What Kind of Butterscotch Syrup Should I Use for This Recipe?
You’ll notice some brands have thicker butterscotch, while others seem to have a more liquidy syrup. While a lighter one will be easier to stir into your drink, you’ll probably find fewer uses for it outside of this recipe, so don’t stress too much about what kind to get. If you opt for the thicker syrup, just make sure to stir it into your cream soda until it dissolves fully.
Starbucks Butterbeer
There are secret menu hacks for so many surprise drinks at Starbucks and Butterbeer is one of them! For a caffeine-free, but extra sweet drink, ask for a Creme Frappuccino base with 3 pumps of toffee nut syrup and 3 pumps of caramel syrup (for a Grande). Top with caramel drizzle and don’t skip out on the whipped cream.
If you’re looking for a caffeinated twist, order a latte with two shots of espresso and add 3 pumps of cinnamon dolce along with your caramel and toffee nut. Once again, these measurements are for a Grande. For the closest consistency to the real thing, don’t skip out on whole milk – the more fat, the better.
What Does Butterbeer Taste Like?
Butterbeer is SWEET. The strongest flavor you’re going to taste is Butterscotch. It’s creamy and refreshing. There’s a reason so many people love it.
Where Can I Buy Harry Potter Butterbeer?
You can actually purchase Harry Potter Butterbeer online , though it ships from the UK to very limited countries. Unfortunately, if you’re not in one of them, you won’t be able to purchase a bottled version of the beverage unless you head to any of the three Wizarding World of Harry Potter parks.
Is There Milk in Butterbeer?
There is no milk in butterbeer, but there is dairy. Depending on your choice of butterscotch syrup, there may be dairy additives inside of it, on top of the cream and butter used in the whipped topping. This recipe can be made dairy-free by using vegan butterscotch and swapping out the dairy in the topping with dairy-free options. However, you may lose some of the richness in switching over the recipe.
Is Harry Potter Butterbeer Alcoholic?
While the books seem to imply Butterbeer has a mild alcohol content, the drink created at Universal Studios does not. There is an actual ‘butterbeer’ that exists outside of the Harry Potter world that contains alcohol. However, the recipe, from the 1500s, is fairly complicated and does not taste similar to this drink. If you’re looking for an adult take on the Harry Potter classic, try adding in a shot of Butterscotch liqueur or Amaretto.
If You Like This Recipe Try These Out
If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Butterbeer turns out in the comments below!
Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe (+ VIDEO)
Ingredients
For the Drink
- 4 cups cream soda
- 2 teaspoons butterscotch syrup
For the Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Whisk together cream soda and butterscotch syrup in a large jar.
- In a large bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peak forms using a hand mixer.
- Add powdered sugar, butterscotch syrup, and melted butter. Continue to beat until combined. Set it aside.
- Pour cream soda mixture into each glass.
- Transfer the cream into a zip-top bag. Cut the tip of the bag off at the 1/2-inch mark so that you can easily pipe the cream on top of the drink.
- Drizzle with more butterscotch syrup. Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
- Make sure to use golden color cream soda as it will give you that beautiful golden brown look of the butterbeer drink.
- Make sure to beat your heavy cream to stiff peaks before adding other ingredients to the cream.
Video
Nutrition
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