Butterbeer Recipe

“I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death.”…well, maybe not. But what I can do is teach you to make the best butterbeer recipe outside of Universal Studios. No “foolish wand-waving or silly incantations” required.

The best part? This butterbeer recipe includes variations for chilled, hot, frozen and boozy butterbeer. No matter which one you choose to make, your Muggle friends and family are guaranteed to give you an “O” for Outstanding on your butterbeer brewing O.W.L. test. While you’re at it, don’t forget to whip up other Harry Potter-inspired recipes to go with your drink.

Now, repeat after me: Accio butterbeer!

What is butterbeer?

Butterbeer is a beverage enjoyed by witches and wizards in the famed Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. It’s mentioned frequently throughout the series when Harry, Hermione and Ron visit the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade Village or celebrate another Gryffindor Quidditch win. In the books, butterbeer is described as a beverage tasting “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch.”

The drink is either served hot in mugs or cold in a glass bottle. However, you can get frozen butterbeer if you visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Harry Potter theme park in Universal Studios. The frozen version is ridiculously refreshing on a hot summer day spent walking around the park.

No matter how you prefer to prepare this Harry Potter butterbeer recipe, you’re sure to taste hints of butterscotch and shortbread in each sip. The texture of cold butterbeer reminds us of cream soda, while a steamy cup of butterbeer is like a caramel latte with whipped cream on top.

How to Make Butterbeer

The following recipe potion explains how to make a batch of chilled butterbeer. Our butterbeer recipe has two components: the butterbeer base and the foamy top. To make the base, simply stir together cream soda and butterscotch syrup.

The foam is a bit more involved yet still incredibly easy to pull off. Mix together marshmallow creme and hot water, then pour in a packet of whipped topping mix (aka Dream Whip), followed by some confectioners’ sugar and salt. Whip it up, then flavor the foam with butterscotch syrup, butter extract, caramel extract and vanilla. Dollop the foam on the butterbeer base, and enjoy!

This Harry Potter butterbeer recipe is as close as you’ll get to the “real” thing without needing a ticket to Universal Studios (or toting an owl through King’s Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters). Time to head to the potions supply cupboard!

Ingredients for Butterbeer

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• Marshmallow creme: Buy your favorite brand of marshmallow creme, such as Marshmallow Fluff or Jet-Puffed. The sticky-sweet marshmallow creme makes a fluffy butterbeer topping that’s richer than whipped cream.
• Whipped topping mix: You’ll need half an envelope of a whipped topping mix, such as Dream Whip.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar will sweeten the butterbeer foam. Since it’s powdered, it dissolves easily and without heat, leaving no grainy chunks of sugar behind.
• Butterscotch flavoring syrup: We tested this recipe with Torani’s Butterscotch Syrup. It has a pure butterscotch taste with lovely notes of caramel.
• Extracts: In testing, we used Watson’s caramel extract and McCormick’s vanilla and butter extracts. Make sure to pick up one of the best vanilla extract brands to create the perfect butterbeer flavor.
• Cream soda: Grab your favorite brand of cream soda, like A&W, Sprecher or Virgil’s.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the marshmallow creme

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In a large bowl, stir together the hot water and the marshmallow creme until smooth. Freeze the mixture until it’s cool, 20 to 25 minutes.

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Step 2: Blend the butterbeer foam

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Remove the chilled marshmallow mixture from the freezer and stir in the whipped topping mix, confectioners’ sugar and salt. Blend with an electric hand mixer until the mixture is foamy, 30 to 60 seconds.

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Stir in the butterscotch syrup, butter extract, caramel extract and vanilla.

Step 3: Make the butterbeer

Pour the cream soda into two 16-ounce mugs. Stir in the butterscotch syrup.

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Finish with a heaping scoop of butterbeer foam. Don’t be shy! Serve immediately.

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Butterbeer Variations

• Frozen butterbeer: For a special summer treat that’s just as refreshing as a Starbucks secret menu Butterbeer Frappuccino, grab a blender to make this frozen variation. Freeze the cream soda in an ice cube tray the night before. Then, blend the cream soda ice cubes with the butterscotch syrup, adding unfrozen cream soda as needed until smooth. Top with the prepared butterbeer foam.
• Hot butterbeer: Those loyal to the books will recall that Harry first tried hot butterbeer, saying it was “the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted and seemed to heat every bit of him from the inside.” To make it, warm 1 cup of half-and-half cream with 2 tablespoons of butterscotch syrup until simmering. Do not boil. Divide the mixture between two heat-safe mugs and top each with 6 ounces of room-temperature cream soda. Spoon the prepared foam generously on top.
• Alcoholic boozy butterbeer: To turn butterbeer into an adult beverage, pour the cream soda into a glass. Stir in 1 to 2 ounces of vanilla or caramel-flavored vodka, butterscotch schnapps or dark rum. Finish with the prepared foam for a drink that tastes like it’s straight from the Three Broomsticks.

How to Store Butterbeer

If you really want to save your butterbeer leftovers, cover your glass with storage wrap and pop the drink in the fridge. Just know that the butterbeer (and its foam) will flatten after a few hours, but it will still taste great!

Can you make butterbeer ahead of time?

Unfortunately, we don’t recommend making butterbeer ahead of time. After a few hours, the cream soda and the butterbeer foam will flatten, and you won’t have the same experience as you would when the butterbeer is at its fizziest and fluffiest form.

Butterbeer Tips

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Is butterbeer alcoholic?

The butterbeer served at Universal Studios is nonalcoholic, which allows fans of all ages to enjoy this special foam-topped drink. In the books and films, butterbeer is said to contain at least a bit of booze. In Half-Blood Prince, Harry notably wonders what Ron and Hermione might do “under the influence of butterbeer” at Professor Slughorn’s Christmas party. And in Goblet of Fire, Winky (a house elf) is often seen inebriated in the Hogwarts kitchens beside empty butterbeer bottles.

For Harry Potter purists (over the age of 21) who wish to enjoy butterbeer as authentically as possible, we’ve included ideas for how to make a boozy butterbeer in our Variations section above.

Where can you buy butterbeer?

For those who failed potion-making class, hop on your Firebolt and buy butterbeer from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. You can also order it online from the Flying Cauldron brand. It may not be as fast as an owl post, but it’s still convenient!