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Our recipe for Harry Potter Butterbeer tastes just like the drink they sell at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios. A no-cook method that is SO easy!
Harry Potter Butterbeer
We took a trip to Universal Studios and we fell in LOVE with this tasty drink. I knew I had to recreate it once I got home. It turns out it is so easy to make! I will definitely be whipping up a batch for my next Harry Potter movie marathon. You can make this recipe two ways. If you are going for super authentic, you can add caramel and butter extracts to the cream soda. This really adds that extra butter-y flavor and makes it taste exactly like the real thing.
Ingredients in Butterbeer
Making homemade Butterbeer is quick and easy with just a few ingredients!
- Cream Soda
- Caramel Extract
- Butter Extract
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Butterscotch Topping
- Powdered Sugar
TIP: If you are looking for a simplified recipe, you can just use plain cream soda. It’s not quite as authentic, but still tastes SUPER yummy and you don’t have to spend the extra money on extracts.
How to Make Butterbeer
Follow these simple steps to create this delicious, creamy drink inspired by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Prepare the Butterscotch Topping:
- Use a stand mixer or a mixing bowl and a hand mixer to whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks.
- Blend in the powdered sugar and butterscotch topping until well combined.
- Mix the Butterbeer Base:
- Empty the two-liters of cream soda into a pitcher. Stir in the butter and caramel extracts.
- Pour the Butterbeer into glasses, leaving room at the top for the whipped topping.
- Top and Serve:
- Spoon or pipe the butterscotch whipped topping over the Butterbeer.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this magical treat!
Where can I find Butterbeer at Universal Studios?
Butterbeer can easily be found inside of Universal Studios. As you enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there is a bright red Butterbeer cart where you can purchase Butterbeer and Frozen Butterbeer. It is also on the menu at The Three Broomsticks, of course!
A very blurry photo of us at Universal Studios Hollywood drinking our Butterbeer. The cream on top is the best part!
Frequently Asked Questions about Butterbeer
For best results, prepare the topping on the same day you plan to serve it. Making it a few hours in advance is fine if you keep it refrigerated.
I use A&W Cream Soda, which has a caramel color. If your cream soda is clear, the appearance will be different, but it won’t necessarily affect the taste.
If butterscotch syrup isn’t available locally, consider purchasing it online through retailers like Amazon.
Yes! You can use a dairy-free whipped topping. It’s pretty easy to find a coconut or almond-based alternative.
Harry Potter Butterbeer Copycat Recipe
Video
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
- Butterbeer Mugs (the BEST glasses for serving)
- Piping Bags (we like these ones!)
Ingredients
- 2 liters cream soda, chilled
- ¼ teaspoon caramel extract
- ¼ teaspoon butter extract
Butterscotch Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup butterscotch topping
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, mix the cream soda with the caramel and butter extracts. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks.
- Add butterscotch topping and powdered sugar. Mix to combine.
- Pour the soda mixture into clear cups or mugs. Pipe butterscotch cream topping over the butterbeer.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
More Delicious Drink Recipes
We love this Harry Potter Butterbeer! Here are a few more of our favorite drink recipes:
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I can’t get caramel extract in time (didn’t realize the local stores wouldn’t have it on the shelf). What can I use to replace it? Tried looking online for options, but couldn’t find any. Do you think caramel syrup would work? I feel like I’d have to use a lot to get the flavor to amount to the extract. I’m making this tomorrow… eek!! Thanks in advance.
Yes, you could totally just use a little caramel topping– it just might make it a little sweeter. Hope this helps!
I used rum extract. It worked great.
Thank you for the butter beer recipe ! It was sooo good!
So glad you liked it! Thanks so much for the 5-stars!
The Butterbeer recipe was great! I drank so much and thought I was going to “bust a gut” but it was worth it! I’m using your Butterbeer recipe for my Harry Potter birthday party. Thanks
Fun!!! Harry Potter birthday parties are the best!!! So glad we were able to help you find the right Butterbeer recipe for your party, we are honored 🙂
I had thought about making butterbeer but never did. Until i found this recipe. It’s delicious. I am thinking about making it a Friday night tradition.
what if i got caramel topping instead of butterscotch? will it change anything
It will just give it a slightly different flavor, but it will still be very good!
Have you tried Butterscotch Root Beer? I found it at Cracker Barrel. Wondering if toasts the same.
No I haven’t tried that before but it sounds delicious! We will have to try it sometime and see if it tastes like Butterbeer!
How do you make the frozen derision of butterbeer my grandsons had at one
Click on this link for our Magic Frozen Butterbeer Recipe:
https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/frozen-butterbeer-harry-potter/
How would you make the slushy version of the butterbeer?
Please click on this link for the recipe: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/frozen-butterbeer-harry-potter/
I’ve personally never had butterbeer until I tried this recipe, but my boyfriend said it tastes exactly like the one they make at Hogsmeade. It’s too delicious!!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the 5-stars and for leaving such a nice comment! We think it tastes like the Hogsmeade kind too– and it’s costs WAY less!
I haven’t seen anyone in the comments ask about this, so is this recipe for a carbonated version of Butterbeer? Or do you wait until the cream soda goes flat before using it/serving it?
It is carbonated!
Have you ever tried Ginger Ale instead of cream soda?
We haven’t, it may make the taste a little off. If you try it, let us know how it turns out for you!
This may be a silly question, but when you say “Add butterscotch topping and powdered sugar”, you mix that in to the whipping cream, correct?
Yes, that is right. You want to put that in the whipped cream mixture 🙂 Hope this helps!
Thank you! I too was looking for that answer.
So no actual alcohol? In the butterbeer,?
Nope, it’s actually meant to be a drink for kids.
I used a lesser strength imitation extract like Watkins, so I had to double the extracts. Tastes great!
12 liter bottle for 10-8 ounces? Is that right?
I’m sorry for the confusion – it is one 2-liter bottle of cream soda. There are 67.6 ounces in a 2-liter bottle, so that is just a little over 8 cups of cream soda (8 cups is 64 ounces). I hope this helps! Thanks for asking!
Do you have a video of this like the one for your pumpkin juice? Did i just miss it on here?
We actually don’t have a video of this one yet. We should definitely get working on one! Thanks for the suggestion!
How many servings does this make? And how many ounces is each serving? Thank you!
It should make about 10 8-ounce servings. Hope this helps!
This recipe is delicious but mine wasn’t the right color, it was a clear color, same as regular cream soda. Did you add food colouring to yours?
Thanks!
hmmm no we didn’t add any food coloring. I wonder if the brand of cream soda makes a difference?
What brand did you use?
I think we used A&W for this recipe the first time but I have used generic brands since and they still seemed to turn out just fine!
Hello. Is this correct? Only 1/4 tsp caramel extract and 1/4 tsp butter extract for the entire 2 liters of cream soda? It seems like such a small amount compared to the other recipes that I have seen.
The butter extract, especially, goes a long way. We made a batch adding more and it tastes way too buttery. We found these amounts to be about right but you may adjust them to your liking if you would like!
Thank you!!!
Flavored extracts add very powerful tastes which is why you put a little like food dye. The color gets added quickly after two drops of food dye.
I’ve been trying to find caramel extract but haven’t had a drop of luck. Where is it typically sold?
Watkins is a brand that makes Caramel Extract. I’ve been able to find it at Walmart and Target. You can also get it on Amazon.
Here is the link: http://amzn.to/2hgCUpp
I haven’t read all the comments, so IDK If this has been covered but Canadian cream soda is not the same as US cream soda. I think you may want to edit the recipe to point this out (especially because yours was the top Google hit for Butterbeer recipe).
Canadian Cream soda tastes like cotton candy and is bright pink. US Cream soda is brown-ish and tastes like vanilla.
You can imagine how my experiment with “regular” cream soda went 😒 Off to find some US style cream soda tomorrow
Oh yikes, yes you definitely want to use the U.S. version of cream soda. We haven’t tried Canadian cream soda before and didn’t know that it was any different from the cream soda in the US. Thanks for the head’s up!
There’s actually variations of Cream soda in Canada and we do have the exact same Cream Soda. I guess they haven’t actually looked everywhere. I’ve used clear cream soda but I have seen the brown cream soda as well. I know A&W sell it.
I am confused a bit though with the 2 litres vs 1/4 tsp. Is it 2 litres of soda with only a 1/4 tsp of the extracts?
Yes! 2 liters of soda and 1/4 tsp of each extract!
Amazon
The recipe says to use Watkins extract but could you use a different caramel and butter extract brand?
Absolutely!
A 12 liter bottle of cream soda? Is that right? 12?
No – it is one 2-liter bottle. I’m glad you asked!
Thanks, I see it now.
For the cream topping, can i use Cool Whip mixed with the butterscotch topping?
I don’t see why not! Sounds delicious!
My topping got really “soupy” once i added the topping (had to use carmel sauce bc i couldn’t find butterscotch) – any suggestions?
The caramel sauce might have a different consistency than the butterscotch we used. Other than that I would say make sure you whip the whipping cream until it forms very stiff peaks. If the cream is stiffer, it might not turn out as soupy. I hope this helps!
So, can you serve the cream soda warm or would that be not good?
It is definitely better cold!
I tried this recipe for a Harry Potter night I had! It was great! Good recipe! 🙂
joyinprogress.com
i really enjoyed harry potter’s butter beer. it was so great tasting. i realy enjoyed the tasty ribs as well. thank you. my son and i really enjoyed harry potter’s world. i am making planes to get back there this winter.
Thank you so much! Harry Potter world is SO much fun, so exciting that you get to go back this winter!