Harry Potter’s Homemade Hot Butterbeer Recipe
Creamy, warm and absolutely delicious, this homemade hot butterbeer recipe is simple to make and everything Harry Potter fans could wish for. Gather your chocolate frogs, a pumpkin pasty and let’s dig in!
Why go all the way to Florida or California to Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter, when you can make your very own cup of Butterbeer right in your own home? This super simple version tastes just like the real thing, and it will instantly transport you right into the world of your favorite witches and wizards.
What is Butterbeer
If you’re not familiar with this particular drink, it first appeared in book 3 of the Harry Potter books, “The Prisoner of Azkaban. It came from the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade, brewed by Madame Rosmerta, herself, though her version was known to be extra sweet. It was described as tasting “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch”. It is served cold in bottles or hot in “foaming tankards.”
Today, we are focusing on the hot variety because it honestly is the only one I truly acknowledge. Cold butterbeer just never scratches that itch for me, despite it being all I could find at Harry Potter World.
Is Butterbeer Alcoholic
In the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling makes it seem that butterbeer does seem to have some sort of alcoholic component, however small. It is enough to get house elves drunk, and it is known to lower inhibitions in students if enough is imbibed. But for the most part, it’s just a nice warming drink. Many recipes online are alcoholic, as well. Rum is a common addition. However, this version does not use alcohol.
Does Butterbeer Taste Like Butter
While there is butter in butterbeer, it is used for the butterscotch flavor, and it doesn’t really inform the taste of the final drink. It helps make the drink creamy and delicious, but it doesn’t really taste of actual butter.
Does Butterbeer Taste Like Root Beer
No. Butterbeer and Root Beer have very different tastes. Butterbeer is made with cream soda, which is a much milder taste than root beer. It also has a butterscotch and milk mixture, which gives it a very creamy texture rather than an acidic, bubbly presentation like root beer.
How to Make Warm Butterbeer
This isn’t exactly a copycat recipe because no one really knows what the true recipe is. But this delicious hot drink is so close to the version at Universal Orlando that you’re going to flip! It is truly the very best hot butterbeer recipe I’ve seen.
Butterbeer is very simple to make. It has only a few ingredients which are all readily available at your local supermarket if you don’t already have them in your pantry.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 3.4 oz box Butterscotch Instant Pudding
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups cream soda
- whipped heavy cream (optional, for serving)
- butterscotch syrup (optional, for serving)
First, combine milk, butter and brown sugar in a medium-large pot. Heat over the stove top until fully dissolved, whisking often.
Add in the butterscotch instant pudding mix and vanilla, whisking until combined. You now have a perfect butterscotch sauce.
Remove from the heat, then whisk in two cups of cream soda. You can use diet cream soda if it suits you, but I prefer the full flavor.
If serving now, return to stove top to heat through, or alternatively, pour into a heated crockpot to keep warm.
Serve with whipped topping and a drizzle of butterscotch syrup.
Not too bad, right? Thick, creamy and utterly delicious. It makes four servings of the most decadent dessert drink you’ve ever imagined. It tastes utterly of fall and winter and dragons and magic and invisibility cloaks. It makes mouths happy. Try it with these Butterbeer Cookies to REALLY lock in that flavor.
It’s another great addition to any Harry Potter Birthday Party idea, and you need to check out our Harry Potter Birthdae Cake for another fun treat.
Harry Potter's Hot Butterbeer
Creamy, warm and absolutely delicious, this homemade hot butterbeer recipe is simple to make and everything Harry Potter fans could wish for.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 3.4 oz box Butterscotch Instant Pudding
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cup cream soda
- whipped cream (optional, for serving)
- butterscotch syrup (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Combine milk, butter, and brown sugar in a medium-large pot. Heat over stove top until fully dissolved, whisking often.
- Add in the butterscotch instant pudding mix and vanilla, whisking until combined.
- Remove from heat and whisk in 2 cups of cream soda.
- If serving now, return to stove to heat through, else pour into a heated crockpot to keep warm.
- Add whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch syrup when serving.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 270Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 154mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 0gSugar: 34gProtein: 5g
This nutrition information is automatically calculated and may not be entirely accurate. Please do your own research if you are overly concerned about specific macros.
Katie Reed is a passionate writer and mother of four vivacious boys from Salt Lake City, Utah. Drawing from her own journey through TTC, pregnancy, and the joys of raising children, she offers a wealth of insight into the world of motherhood. Beyond her heartfelt tales, Katie delights her readers with family-friendly recipes, engaging crafts, and a curated library of printables for both kids and adults. When she’s not penning her experiences, you’ll find her crafting memories with her husband and sons—Dexter, Daniel, Chester, and Wilder.
