Butterbeer is a fun, fizzy drink that tastes like creamy butterscotch soda, that was made famous by the Harry Potter Books.
Every Harry Potter fan knows you can find this popular butterbeer recipe at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. It is a drink served at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade (and the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley) and tastes a bit like butterscotch.
The good news is it’s just as easy to make at home. It is sweet, buttery, and extra delicious topped with a fluffy swirl of whipped cream for that classic butterbeer finish.
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s quick too! You whisk butterscotch syrup with a little softened butter, stir in cold cream soda, and you have a simple copycat drink that feels perfect for movie nights or themed parties.
If you love fun homemade drinks like this, you should also try Ocean Water, Sonic Cherry Limeade, and Mint Julep. They are all easy favorites.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Tastes just like it. It is a quick, fun copycat drink with sweet butterscotch flavor.
- Party perfect. It is easy to scale up for parties and serve in mugs.
- Butter + butterscotch = signature flavor. Whisking them together creates that classic buttery butterscotch taste.
- Cold soda keeps the fizz. Using chilled cream soda helps it stay bubbly when mixed.
Butterbeer Ingredients
- Butterscotch syrup (½ cup): Adds the sweet butterscotch flavor and gives butterbeer its signature taste.
- Butter, softened (½ tablespoon): Adds a buttery richness and helps the drink taste more like classic butterbeer.
- Cream soda, cold (1 cup): Provides fizz and sweetness and turns the mixture into a smooth soda-style drink.
- Heavy whipping cream, optional: Whipped cream adds a creamy topping and makes the drink feel extra special. It is optional and used to make homemade Whipped Cream, but canned whipped cream works as well.
How to Make Butterbeer
SYRUP. Add ½ cup (4 ounces) butterscotch syrup and ½ tablespoon softened butter to a medium bowl and whisk until combined.
SODA. Stir 1 cup (8 ounce) cold cream soda into the mixture 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.
Frozen Butterbeer
A delicious variation to this homemade Butterbeer recipe 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.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use very cold cream soda so the drink stays fizzy.
- Whisk the syrup and butter until smooth before adding soda so it mixes evenly.
- Pour the cream soda in slowly and stir gently to keep more bubbles.
- For a sweeter drink, add an extra drizzle of butterscotch on top.
- For an authentic look, serve in glass mugs or steins, but any drinking glass works.
- Toppings: Drizzle a bit of the butterscotch sauce over the top of the Whipped Cream after it has been added to the top of the Butterbeer. Or sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
- Make it a Float: Just like a root beer float, add a scoop of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream to each cup.
- Make-ahead tip, whip the cream ahead and keep it chilled, then assemble drinks right before serving.
Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup (4 ounces) butterscotch syrup, ice cream topping
- ½ tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 cup (8 ounces) 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
You can make the butterbeer a couple of hours before serving. Keep it cold in the fridge.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
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This recipe was first shared June, 2016.
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.
Super easy to make and taste delicious, we are Harry Potter fans so this was a big hit in my house, thank you!
You’re welcome!! So glad you enjoyed!
Everyone loved this! Made a couple changes: 1) couldn’t find butterscotch syrup so made it (used this recipe – https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_butterscotch/)
2) substituted about 1/2 of the cream soda for club soda (helped to tame the sweetness) so I barely melted/very softened the butter and mixed that in with my butterscotch sauce then I beat the butterscotch mixture with 1/2 of the club soda, then gently stirred in the remaining club soda and cream soda
Never had it..excited to try it n big harry potter fan…thank you for sharing 😇
These drinks look delicious, however, they are high in sugar and carbs. How can you modify them to be diabetic friendly recipes?
I haven’t had this at a theme park but I thought it tasted like its name so win for me. I also love the mug you used. Ill have to look for a similar one to complete the theme.
A fun little drink that the kids will enjoy.
I love your recipe – delicious and such a fun treat to make at home.
We love butterbeer so much! This recipe is so good, can’t wait to make it again for our Next Harry Potter Marathon!
Do you use the same amount of cream soda for the frozen variation with 4 oz frozen, and 4 oz not? Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Yes! Hope you enjoy!!
My husband loved this so much! Such a great recipe!
Thank you! So glad to hear that!
I have had this at Harry Potter World & I must say, this tastes just like it! We will be making this all the time now!