This Butterbeer recipe tastes just like Butterbeer at Universal Studios. It’s rich cream soda and butterscotch flavors pair perfectly with the butterscotch whipped cream topping! It’s just like you’re in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
This Butterbeer recipe is so simple to make and tastes amazing. If you like cream soda, you’re going to love Butterbeer. It’s a popular drink for a reason. Not only does it remind kids (and many of us adults!) about the amazing Harry Potter books, but it tastes amazing!
Butterbeer
My kids love Butterbeer, but we’ve only had it in Harry Potter world at Universal – until now.
Last year, we took the kids to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to visit Harry Potter’s World. The Harry Potter section of both parks is amazing – it’s like a Harry Potter theme park within the bigger Universal them parks. Imagine larger-than life buildings, Diagon Alley, restaurants, and fire-breathing dragons all in one setting. It’s a great way to celebrate your kids reading the Harry Potter books. Both of my kids love the Harry Potter series and couldn’t wait to see their favorite books come to life.
And, come to life they did! Harry Potter butterbeer was on the top of the list to try. Actually tasting something from a book really makes the story seem so real.
Ever since we visited the theme park and tasted this amazing treat, I knew we needed to learn how to recreate it with our homemade butterbeer recipe.
I even asked the Universal employee who was pouring the cream soda-like beverage what was the key ingredient in it. That’s when I knew that we’d definitely be able to make Butterbeer at home with this easy recipe.
My kids love Harry Potter and we’ve been enthralled for years. My son is a teenager now, but he’s read (and re-read) the entire series 7 times (so far!). My daughter is in fifth grade and is going to finish the series any day now. So, to celebrate, we decided to make this Butterbeer recipe and watch a Harry Potter movie.
What is Butterbeer?
If you’ve landed on this page, I assume you already know what Butterbeer is, but just in case you’ve never heard of this delightful beverage I’ll tell you more about it. It originated in the Harry Potter book series. It’s a popular beverage at Harry Potter’s school, Hogwarts.
Harry Potter’s Butterbeer is a cream soda drink that incorporates butterscotch flavor into the soda, and also has butterscotch infused into a layer of cream that floats on top of the sweet drink.
Butterbeer came to life for humans at Universal Orlando Resort when they opened the Harry Potter worlds at the theme park. They make and serve Butterbeer at Universal – and it’s divine! It really brings the books to live when you can taste something that you’ve only read about.
The only place you can actually order official Butterbeer is at one of the two Universal Orlando Resort theme parks, so learning how to make a copycat Butterbeer version is a real treat for the kids at home.
There is also a frozen version of the drink that tastes equally amazing.
The only place you can actually order official Butterbeer is at one of the two Universal Orlando Resort theme parks, so learning how to make a copycat Butterbeer version is a real treat for the kids at home.
Butterbeer Ingredients
Butterbeer Recipe
cream soda – canned or bottled cream soda drink is the base for this recipe.
butterscotch syrup – don’t skimp on this ingredient – it’s the key to butterbeer. Caramel won’t give you the same flavor. You can find butterscotch syrup or butterscotch sauce where you find chocolate syrup in the grocery store.
heavy cream – we used heavy whipping cream, but any heavy cream will work. Regular milk won’t get thick enough.
sugar – use white granulated sugar so it mixes in perfectly with the whipped cream
vanilla – use good, pure vanilla extract for the best flavor
butter – melted butter adds a richness that compliments the butterscotch inside the main part of the drink, and thus, gives butterbeer part of its name!
How To Make Butterbeer
- Start by combining the cream soda and butterscotch syrup in a bowl. Whisk together until butterscotch is fully incorporated.
- With an electric mixer with whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Then, fold in sugar, vanilla, and melted butter until incorporated.
- Pour the cream soda mixture into mugs and top with whipped cream
- For an added indulgence, drizzle butterscotch or caramel syrup on top of the whipped cream
We miss having the real thing, but let me tell you, our Butterbeer recipe tastes just as good! It’s like going to Universal all over again! I’m sure even J.K. Rowling would love this copycat recipe of her original butterbeer she made so popular.
Butterbeer is a tasty drink that’s perfect for a Harry Potter movie marathon, Harry Potter birthday parties, or any kind of party. Huge Harry Potter fans (and even those who haven’t read the books or seen the movies) absolutely love it.
We love Butterbeer so much that we made Butterbeer ice cream too!
If you love theme park drinks, you have to try Disney’s Dole Whip recipe next!
Butterbeer
Ingredients
- 4 cans cream soda
- 1/4 cup butterscotch syrup
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup butter unsalted, melted
Instructions
- In large mixing bowl, combine cream soda and butterscotch syrup. Whisk to combine.
- In electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form – this will take 2-4 minutes.
- Fold in sugar and vanilla and melted butter until combined. Don't over mix.
- Evenly pour cream soda mixture into four mugs and spoon on whipped topping.
- (Optional) drizzle whipped cream with butterscotch or caramel syrup.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Emily Rockwell says
This was so fun! We haven’t been to Harry Potter world to know how authentic this recipe is but it was darn delicious! My kids loved it! Thank you!
Koriann F says
We have tried others in the past but this one is on point! Delicious and super easy! I recommend sticking with the recipe. The heavy whipping cream really makes the butter beer taste as it should be.
vivian harper says
if having a party how early can you make butterbeer?
Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com says
You can make the base ahead of time, but I would wait until just before serving to make the topping.
Katherine Marsh says
I used diet cream soda and sugar free butter scotch syrup for this Butterbeer recipe. Instead of using regular sugar I used a sugar substitute. I needed it to make this more diet friendly. It still taste great but with less sugar. Love your blog 🙂
Jessica Trump says
Absolutely delicious!!! Thank you!
Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com says
so glad you like it!
Kay says
We just got back from Universal and I wanted to recreate butterbeer so bad. Followed this recipe and this is EXACTLY like the official butterbeer!! Thank you!!
MJ Higgins says
It was delicious! Tasted spot on!
Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com says
Great! Love to hear that!
Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com says
Yes! So glad you agree. Thanks!
AmazingTalker says
Never knew that I can make this at home!!!!!!
Mallory says
Can you sub butter extract for the butter or do you need the texture from the butter?
Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com says
that’s a great question. It’s worth trying, but I haven’t experimented with anything different.
Denise says
Can you use a regular whisk if you don’t have a mixer with a whisk?
Alicia says
I wouldn’t make it too early. Or wait until just before serving to put the topping on.
Alicia says
Yes, you can use a regular whisk, it will just take longer.
Michael Mulgrew Mulgrew says
Can you premarket cream topping and how long will it last
Alicia says
I wouldn’t recommend making it in advance – I don’t think it will hold up.
Sebastian Weinkopf says
What are the quantities for each ingredient?