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Butterbeer is a rich, delicious chilled drink with butterscotch flavoring. It is alcohol-free and perfect for sharing on any occasion!
Butterbeer is a tasty kid-friendly drink. Shirley Temple and Mint Julep are two more of our best-loved alcohol-free drinks that everyone can enjoy!
What is Butterbeer?
Butterbeer was made famous by the Harry Potter series! Every Harry Potter fan knows you can find this popular drink at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
It is a drink served at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and is described as tasting a bit like butterscotch or caramel and containing the slightest bit of alcohol. While my version does taste like butterscotch, it is alcohol-free (no beer here!).
The drink can be served at any event from summer picnics to Halloween events. Dress up the Butterbeer with different types of mugs.
I’ve seen it served in simple plastic cups, heavy glass mugs, and Harry Potter-themed tea cups. No matter when or how it’s served, this homemade butterbeer recipe is delicious!
How to Make Butterbeer
This butterbeer recipe is decadent and sweet, perfect for every Harry Potter fan or muggle!
SYRUP. Add the butterscotch syrup and softened butter to a medium bowl and whisk until combined.
SODA. Stir the cold cream soda into the mix and set aside.
CREAM. Add heavy cream to a cold mixing bowl and whip using an electric mixer until soft peaks form (you want soft peaks, not stiff peaks).
SERVE! Pour the butterbeer into 2 mugs and top with whipped cream.
Whipped Cream Variation
I included directions in the recipe on how to use heavy whipping cream to make a creamy topping for the butterbeer. For a shortcut simply buy some whipped cream.
To make your own topping:
- Whip the heavy cream then gently mix in a bit of the butterscotch syrup for a more prevalent butterscotch flavor.
- Drizzle a bit of the syrup over the top of the whipped cream after it has been added to the top of the butterbeer.
- For more tips, check out our Homemade Whipped Cream recipe.
Frozen Butterbeer
A delicious variation to this drink is to make it frozen.
- Beforehand freeze half of the cream soda in cubes.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter with the butterscotch syrup.
- Add the cream soda and the frozen cream soda cubes to a blender.
- Blend until you get a slushy texture and pour it into the bowl along with the mixed butterscotch.
- Use a spoon to mix.
- Pour into glasses and top with Whipped Cream.
Time to Enjoy!
Does this make you want to have a Harry Potter movie marathon?! Gather all your favorite muggles, wizards, and witches, and enjoy this homemade butterbeer while you watch.
While you’re at it, you may as well get some chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott’s Beans. 😉
Enjoy!!
Recipe FAQ
This butterbeer is topped off with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. When making the whipped cream, beat it until soft peaks form. Lift the beater out of the cream, it’s ready when a little mountain peak forms and then softly folds back over.
Neither the version you can buy at Universal Studios nor this homemade butterbeer has alcohol in them making it safe for everyone to drink.
In the Harry Potter books, butterbeer is mentioned as being served warm as well as cold, so it’s really up to you! This recipe is written for a cold butterbeer. If you wish to make it warm, simply heat the cream soda up in the microwave before mixing it with the butterscotch and butter.
For More Theme Park Recipes, Try:
- Corn Dogs {Disney Copycat Recipe}
- Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Dole Whip
- The Grey Stuff
- Jack Jack Cookie Num Num
Butterbeer Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (4oz) butterscotch syrup ice cream topping
- 1/2 tablespoon butter softened
- 1 cup (8oz) cream soda cold
- heavy whipping cream optional
Instructions
- Add the butterscotch syrup and softened butter to a medium bowl and whisk until combined.
- Stir the cold cream soda into the mix and set aside.
- Add heavy cream to a cold mixing bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
- Pour the butterbeer into 2 mugs and top with whipped cream.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you
Making food based off of books is one of our favorite things in our home! We love Harry Potter too so we will always love a good butterbeer recipe! I think we all felt a lack of creaminess inside the base of this recipe though. Butterscotch was definitely the flavor star of the show and I love butterscotch, which is why I still enjoyed the drink. I think I might just add some heavy whipping cream to the base of the drink next time or a dollop of vanilla ice cream and blend it up next time. Three ingredients I love: cream soda, butterscotch and whipped cream. It’s hard to make it go horribly so this is a great recipe for kiddos to experiment with!
I love all the ingredients in this drink, I think my friends will enjoy this with me also. New drink for “Girl’s Weekend”
Good rating for a Harry Potter recipe! 11 yr old dream to drink butterbeer!
My boyfriend loves butterbeer from the “dirty soda” places. So when I made this he was blown away. Definitely will be using this recipe a lot.
Sounds good – have to try this as I have really taken a liking to butterscotch.
Have to try this. Have really taken a liking to butterscotch.
This tastes just like butter rum lifesavers–my favorite. I will definitely have to make this for my Harry Potter obsessed son.