If you have fallen in love with the delicious Butterbeer from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you are in luck! This recipe tastes just like the original beverage that is so loved by adults and kids alike.
I read through the entire Harry Potter series twice before tasting an actual sip of Butterbeer with my own lips. Reading through the books, I drooled every time the delicious drink was described. Butterbeer.. what a dreamy sounding drink! The name sounds slightly naughty like maybe kids shouldn’t indulge, but they can. Because it’s allllll glorious sugar that’s hidden inside.
My boys and I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in November and one of the first things we did was order a couple cups of Butterbeer, along with a few chocolate frogs, pumpkin juice and a bag of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. The drink was exactly as I expected it to be, but better. Sammy and I fought over the last sips because we couldn’t get enough.
Since our return home, he has been asking constantly for me to make the homemade version of Butterbeer and we finally got it done over winter break. I have since made it for TWO different birthday parties and I’ve run out of ingredients very quickly both times. Our version tastes very much like the original. It is sugary, cold, dreamy and buttery all at once.
HOW TO MAKE BUTTERBEER
STEP 1
Place the following in a blender:
8 ice cubes
Half of a 1.75-quart container of vanilla ice cream
3 cups of cream soda (24 oz.)
6 oz. butterscotch topping (found in the ice cream toppings section)
Puree until smooth.
STEP 2
Pour into glasses, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch syrup and serve immediately!
WHAT IS BUTTERBEER?
If you are not a Harry Potter fan, you might be wondering what the scoop is about this drink! Harry Potter Butterbeer is a cold, frothy, sweet drink that tastes like a buttery version of cream soda that has been made famous by the Harry Potter series. When the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal in Orlando, they created a version of butterbeer based on the description from the book series.
In the books, Harry and his friends get the privilege of going to a place near their wizarding school called Hogsmeade. In Hogsmeade, their favorite place to grab a treat is called The Three Broomsticks, where they enjoy a cold, delicious Butterbeer every time.
IS BUTTERBEER ALCOHOLIC?
In the books, butterbeer is described as giving people a slight “buzz” but the version made at Universal theme park and the version in this post does not contain alcohol, although you may get a sugar high if you drink a couple glasses!
TURN FROZEN BUTTERBEER INTO AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
If you are wanting to create an alcoholic beverage from this yummy drink, simply add 1/2 cup of vodka or rum to the blender after all of the other ingredients have been pureed. Mix until just incorporated and serve!
To give the drink a rum flavoring without adding alcohol, add 1 teaspoon of rum extract to the blender along with the remaining ingredients.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN BUTTERBEER?
The ingredient list to make this yummy drink is a short and easy one! The only ingredients you’ll need to make Butterbeer in your very own kitchen are vanilla ice cream, cream soda, butterscotch ice cream topping and whipped cream as a topping. Easy peasy!
WHERE TO BUY BUTTERBEER
Universal in Orlando is the only place that sells authentic butterbeer, but there is a product called butterscotch beer that sounds very similar. I have not tried this version myself, so can’t vouch for it. It sounds delicious, though!
WHAT DOES BUTTER BEER TASTE LIKE?
The deliciously amazing thing about this famous drink is that it contains such an array of flavors! As you sip on it, different flavors are picked up. Here are a few descriptors to best give you an idea about what to expect: buttery, butterscotch, brown sugar, caramel, cream soda and vanilla all wrapped into a single sip!
IS BUTTERBEER GLUTEN FREE?
Both the version you’ll find at the park and the version in this recipe are indeed gluten free. Great news for people who can’t have gluten!
OTHER KID-FRIENDLY COPYCAT DRINK RECIPES
Check out some of our other kid-friendly copycat recipes:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Let me know what you think of this delicious Harry Potter-themed drink! Have you tasted the version from Universal Studios? How does it compare to the homemade recipe?
Harry Potter’s Homemade Butterbeer Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ice cubes
- 1/2 quart vanilla ice cream
- 24 oz cream soda
- 6 oz butterscotch topping plus extra for drizzling on top
- whipped cream topping for butterbeer
Instructions
- Place the ice cubes, ice cream, cream soda and 6 oz. of butterscotch topping in a blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into glasses, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch topping and serve immediately!
If I wanted to make this a decently strong alcoholic beverage, what should I add? And how much? I am basically an idiot when it comes to making drinks/ cooking so I have no idea. but thanks!
I believe an ounce of butterscotch schnapps and an ounce of vanilla vodka would replace the ice cream in this recipe and add them to the cream soda – however there are a lot of variations out there. I hope you enjoy it!
I gotta try this soon been looking for a simple version for a while now.
It really is so easy and it’s easy to drink one or two!