Starter

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) – BUTTERBEER

Discover the Magic of Butterbeer: A Guide to the Iconic Harry Potter Beverage

In the third instalment of the Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban fans were introduced to one of the most beloved beverages in the wizarding world: Butterbeer. This frothy and sweet drink has since become a favourite among fans of the series, with many recreating the recipe at home and even visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park to try the official version.

In the film, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione first try Butterbeer during a visit to the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade. The drink is described as having a warm, rich flavour with a slight butterscotch taste and a foamy top. The recipe for Butterbeer has been kept a closely guarded secret by the Wizarding World, but there are many fan-made versions that attempt to recreate the iconic beverage.

One popular recipe for Butterbeer involves mixing cream soda, butterscotch syrup, and whipped cream. The mixture is heated up and then topped with a dollop of whipped cream for that signature frothy texture. Some variations also include adding a splash of rum or spiced rum for an adult twist on the classic drink.

Butterbeer has become so popular among fans that it’s now possible to buy it in stores, with companies like Starbucks and the UK supermarket chain Tesco offering their own versions. At the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, visitors can enjoy both cold and frozen versions of the drink, as well as Butterbeer fudge and other treats.

One of the reasons Butterbeer has become such a beloved part of the Harry Potter universe is its cozy, comforting feel. It’s the perfect drink to sip on while curled up with a good book on a rainy day or gathered around a fire with friends. And for fans of the series, it’s a way to feel like they’re a part of the wizarding world themselves.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan who’s never tried Butterbeer, now’s the perfect time to give it a try. Whether you make it at home or visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, this sweet and creamy drink is sure to transport you to the magical world of Hogwarts.

How to make a Regular Butterbeer

Course: StarterDifficulty: *

Butterbeer was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the 3rd book in the series (hot butterbeer exists in the books as well but frozen butterbeer does not).
Students would drink a lot of it at Hogsmeade, the closest village to Hogwarts Castle; probably because it was slightly alcoholic. Teenagers, right?
Of course, when Universal Studios was developing its butterbeer recipe, they decided to make it non-alcoholic, so everyone could enjoy it. Here’s an interview with the executive chef responsible for creating it.
When the park opened in July 2010, regular and frozen butterbeer were an instant smash hit. Drinking is now the number one activity people come to the park to do! More recently, hot butterbeer was added as a seasonal offering. I lived in Orlando for a year, so I’m basically an expert now. Anyway, enough about me. Let’s talk about the recipes.

Ingredients

Directions

  • Start with the creamy foam. Combine heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 1 tbsp of butterscotch in a mixing bowl.
  • Whisk the cream until the mixture starts to thicken. You want to stop when it gets the viscosity of honey, not too much or it will behave like a solid.
  • Melt 2 tbsp of butter and 4 tbsp of butterscotch together in a microwave or on the stove. Mix thoroughly. Use half of this mixture for each mug of butterbeer.
  • Add 2 cups of cream soda to each mug, about ½ cup at a time. In between each half cup, add a tbsp of the butter and butterscotch mixture. Stir a little bit to mix it in.
  • Add your foam to the top of the mug and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Notes

  • When the park opened in July 2010, regular and frozen butterbeer were an instant smash hit. Drinking is now the number one activity people come to the park to do! More recently, hot butterbeer was added as a seasonal offering. I lived in Orlando for a year, so I’m basically an expert now. Anyway, enough about me. Let’s talk about the recipes.