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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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butterscotch schapps to make the drink happier lol
My A&W cream soda is clear colored though… Tastes good but doesn’t quite look the part.
love it
Loved it 😋
So great to find this recipe – I’m in the UK and took my kids to HP studios recently only to be completely appalled at the cost of the butterbeer there (£7.99 per serving and the plastic container was compulsory!). Being able to make it at home using this recipe for my longstanding HP fans is a real treat.
This is EXACTLY like the one I remember having at universal studios!! This takes me right back!
pretty good
Can you use melted butter not butter extract?
I would just use some vanilla extract instead. Melted butter will overpower the other flavors.
Can the whipped topping be made ahead? Day before?
Yes, if you keep it refrigerated it will work great. Thanks for asking!
Butterscotch topping is not really available around me, but subbing a box of butterscotch pudding for the powdered sugar and syrup worked nicely
Made this and it was on point
Same issue, but I used maple extract and it was pretty good.
What size box? And just use the entire thing in place of the powdered sugar and butterscotch topping? Thanks!
its exactly like Universal.
Universal in Cali or Florida? Please let me know so I can plan a trip.
Both L.A, California and Orlando Florida have Universal theme parks. Having been both to them, I’d recommend the one in Orlando. It’s much bigger and there are lots of different rides compared to the one in LA. I hope this comment isn’t too late though. Enjoy
Love this sweet drink! Exactly what I was looking for!
My family is going to love this, thank you for the recipe!
Thanks So much for the recipe…Will surely try!!!
I’d like to make this for my son’s 11th Harry Potter themed birthday. I cannot find Watkins butter extract or caramel extract locally and online deliver time will be past his birthday. What can I try to substitute for both? Thanks!
Those two things really make up the flavor of the butterbeer, but if you are in a pinch, you can use vanilla extract instead. It won’t taste exactly the same, but still yummy!
Thanks! I was able to get both extracts delivered in time for his birthday. The butterbeer was a big hit with our family celebrating my son’s 11th birthday on the same day as Harry Potter’s!
Great hack thank you so much.
Would you happen to have a hack for hot butterbeer?
We haven’t made hot butterbeer, but we will keep an eye out for a good recipe!
For 2 summers I worked at Storyland in Glen NH. While there I was the fudge maker. After doing some research, of various flavors of homemade Butterbeer fudge, I came up with our own version. It sold very well. However I had to explain to a few parents that Butterbeer fudge had no alcohol in it!
That sounds AMAZING!!
What are the measurements if I wanted to add the butter and caramel extracts to the cream soda?
If you wanted to half the recipe it would be 1/8 teaspoon of each extract. Hope this helps!
I just started reading the Harry Potter series to my three sons at bed. We just finished the first book and to celebrate we watched the first movie on our families Saturday night movie night, as a treat I made them butter beer to enjoy as well! It was a huge hit! Thank you so much for this recipe.
Can u pls advise the brand of cream soda that you used ? I am going to try this recipe just confused with so many brands of cream sodas out there which one would you recommend? Thanks
We like A&W Cream Soda the best!
SOOO GOOD!! It’s a must try!!