This Copycat ‘Harry Potter’ Butterbutter Recipe Is a Taste of Flavor Magic

Whether you’re settling in for a Harry Potter marathon (we miss you already Dame Maggie Smith) or are looking for your next drink obsession, butterbeer is a must-try sip. It’s a sweet and creamy drink that’s well…a taste of flavor magic. While many know and love it via the cult-favorite book and film series, it’s just as easy to recreate using three ingredients. Read on to find out how to make butterbeer in just five minutes!

What is butterbeer?

If you’re new to butterbeer, it’s a foamy drink with a butterscotch-like taste. Butterbeer is well-known in the Harry Potter universe, where it’s served hot or cold in many pubs and other public places.  

Is there alcohol in butterbeer?

In the Harry Potter series, it’s believed that butterbeer had a small alcoholic content. However, recipes for this drink typically use butterscotch sauce, vanilla cream soda and whipped cream. So, real life butterbeer often doesn’t contain booze–but it can if you want it too (more on that later)!

Did butterbeer exist before ‘Harry Potter’?

Butterbeer was indeed a thing long before Harry Potter. One of the oldest recordest recipes dates back to the 1594 cookbook, The Good Huswifes Handmaide for the Kitchin. It was originally called “buttered beere” and called for dark beer, egg yolks, sugar and other ingredients to create a hot, foamy drink. As you can tell, butterbeer has gone through a couple of iterations: going from being made with alcohol to mostly nonalcholic. It’s also morphed into drink that wizards and creatures alike could savor in the world of Harry Potter.

How to make butterbeer

In a video posted on TheWhyteElephant YouTube channel, you can see how to make a copycat butterbeer recipe. It’s worth making a big batch for your upcoming movie marathon or Halloween party. Use plain cream soda if you’re unable to get your hands on the vanilla-flavored variety. (Craving more fizzy drinks? Try these recipes for Dirty Soda and Fluffy Coke.)

Classic Butterbeer

Ingredients:

• 1 (12 oz.) bottle of vanilla cream soda, such as Virgil’s

• 1 large spoonful of butterscotch sauce

• Whipped cream

Directions:

• Yield: 1 serving 

1. Place spoonful of butterscotch sauce in a tall glass mug. Gradually whisk vanilla cream soda into mug to combine the liquid and butterscotch sauce.

2. Top with whipped cream, sip and enjoy!

3. Note: Feel free to dress up the drink with an extra drizzle of butterscotch sauce on top of the whipped cream. 

Bonus recipe for an alcoholic version butterbeer

For an adults-only version of this sip, try this Butterbeer Cocktail recipe posted on the Liquor.com YouTube Channel. It combines butterscotch schnapps, vanilla vodka and cream soda to whip up a cocktail that would have the Hogwarts seal of approval. 

Butterbeer Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. butterscotch schnapps

• 1 oz. vanilla vodka

• 6 oz. cream soda

• Whipped cream and butterscotch syrup, for garnish

Directions:

• Yield: 1 serving

1. Combine butterscotch schnapps, vanilla vodka and cream soda in frosty mug until thoroughly mixed. 

2. Top with generous amount of whipped cream and butterscotch syrup. Sip and enjoy!

Continue scrolling for more tasty DIY drink recipes:

This Classic Cocktail Is Going Viral With Fans of ‘The Perfect Couple’ — And It’s Super Easy to Make

This Chocolate Cracking Coffee Is the New Trendy Way to Enjoy Your Iced Coffee! Get the Recipe

The Newest Summer Flavor Is Here! Try These Easy Recipes for Orange Cream Cocktails and Popsicles