Butterbeer Recipe and DIY Butterbeer Mugs
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I've been a huge Harry Potter fan since the second book came out and my husband brought it home on the recommendation of a co-worker. I stayed up until the wee hours in the morning with my eyes bugged out so I could finish reading the first and second books. Yes, this was before our kids were in the picture, so I had plenty of time for such luxuries!
Fans from then on, my husband and I were very excited when we had the opportunity to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. We stood in line forever in the sunscreen-melting heat to get inside. We were not alone, accompanied by throngs of fans crowded into the streets of Hogsmeade. We had a great time exploring the Three Broomsticks, Hogwarts, Honeydukes, and the train station.
As fun as it was that day, it was also hot. VERY hot. One of our favorite things turned out to be the mugs of cold Butterbeer (a popular drink in the book) that could be had in souvenir mugs for a small fortune. But we paid that fortune, over and over again, just to get more of this delicious and refreshing drink.
They did a fantastic job of coming up with a recipe that tastes just like you would imagine it would. The Butterbeer truck at the park served the drink two ways — frozen or chilled — and despite the name, they were not beer at all, but a delicious, non-alcoholic drink with what we guessed was a cream soda base.
On that particular hot afternoon, I preferred the frozen version (a slushie consistency) because I wanted it as cold as possible. In general, though, I liked the regular chilled drink a little bit better.
The plastic souvenir mugs were really cute as well. We were surprised that there was no glass version of the Butterbeer mug available for purchase at the park's souvenir shops, so I decided to make my own when I got home!
DIY Butterbeer Mugs
I decided to make the mug with a glass etching technique. First, I had Chica design a Butterbeer logo for me, so that I could use it to create a vinyl stencil. This design is available for purchase and instant download — see below for info!
I chose some pretty glass mugs and cleaned them thoroughly with rubbing alcohol.
Then I used the .studio file version of the Butterbeer logo and my Silhouette electronic cutting tool to create a stencil for the mug. I cut the stencil out of adhesive vinyl and used transfer tape to apply to the mug. I used a sharp knife to carefully remove the parts of the stencil that I wanted to etch.
I applied glass etching cream according to package directions, washed it off, then removed the stencil to reveal a beautiful etched logo!
If you want to make your own mugs or decorative items, you can purchase our Butterbeer logo in .studio and .jpg format. We've also got a coordinating Hogwarts Crest to make even more Harry Potter inspired items!
INSTANT DOWNLOAD -
PURCHASE NOW!
We've got two Harry Potter inspired logo sets available.
Each set includes two Silhouette Studio files (.studio and .studio3) ready to open in Silhouette Studio software — just resize the pattern as needed and use your Silhouette electronic cutter to make your stencil. Each set also includes a high-resolution black-and-white JPG version of the image, perfect for printing, tracing, or importing into other graphics programs.
Butterbeer Logo — $3.99
Hogwarts Crest Logo - $3.99
from here immediately after your purchase is complete*.
Have questions? Email us at chicaandjo@chicaandjo.com
* Files must be downloaded within one month of purchase date.
Chilled Butterbeer Copycat Recipe
Now that you've got the mugs, it's time to move on to the best part... the Butterbeer itself! Our copycat recipe is simple but offers just the right combination of ingredients for a delicious sweet and refreshing treat.
Butterbeer
Pretend you're at Three Broomsticks with Harry Potter and his friends with our replica recipe for the cold, fizzy Butterbeer served at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream *
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder, optional **
- 24 oz of your favorite cream soda
- 2 tbsp vanilla butter nut flavoring, divided
Instructions
- Add cream, sugar, meringue powder, and 1 tsp of flavoring to a bowl and whisk until foamy, but not quite to peaks.
- Add remaining tsp of flavoring to the cream soda and stir gently.
- Divide soda between two mugs and top with some of the whipped cream, then serve.
Notes
* You won't end up using all of the whipped cream, but if you start with less, you'll have a hard time whipping it. If you are making several servings at once, only whip half as much cream.
** You can leave the meringue powder out if you prefer or if you can't find any, but it gives teh cream a slightly fizzy texture that's a close match to the Butterbeer you'll get at the park.
Start by measuring your heavy whipping cream into a bowl.
Add the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 1 tsp of the flavoring, and whisk together (or use a stand mixer if you prefer).
Whisk until the consistency is thickened slightly, but still loose. It should drip slowly from the whisk when you pull it out of the bowl. When it's ready, you may want to pour it into a squeeze bottle for easier dispensing later.
Next, add the remaining 1 tsp of vanilla butter nut flavoring to your cream soda and stir gently so you don't get rid of all the carbonation in the soda.
Pour your flavored cream soda into your chilled Butterbeer mugs. Gently squirt on the whipped cream mixture so that it floats on top (or spoon it on if you don't have a squirt bottle) in a layer about a half inch thick, then serve!
Trust us, it tastes even better than it looks! We would love to hear feedback from others who have tried the original Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Try our recipe and see how you think it compares.
Oh, and if you're looking for an alcoholic version of Butterbeer, stir in a couple tablespoons (to taste) of Dekuyper Butterscotch (a.k.a. Butterscotch Schnapps) to the soda before you top it with cream. The result is fantastic!
Try our hot Butterbeer recipe, too!
Many Harry Potter fans argue that Butterbeer should be served warm. We like that idea as well, so we developed a hot Butterbeer recipe that's so yummy we can hardly resist it. We've even figured out just the right thing to add to it if you want an alcoholic version. This is now Jo's favorite winter time drink.
Make your own Butterbeer dispenser
If you are wanting to throw a party and serve lots of Butterbeer, consider making your own barrel using our tutorial. Oh, what an amazing addition this was to our party!
67 comments so far:
Awesome, awesome idea for the mug - and thanks SO MUCH for the recipe, too. It'll be quite awhile before I can go to Universal Studios for the real deal, so these two ideas will be fantastic substitutes!
So nice to hear that another adult is willing to admit to loving Harry Potter. I can't wait to try this recipe. I know what lots of friends are getting for Christmas this year--Harry Potter baskets with mugs, cream soda, the recipe, and some of those H. P. jelly beans Border's was selling. I'm off to buy the stencil. Thanks.
Baye, what a wonderful Christmas gift idea!
Thanks! I was at Universal last week and flew back to NY yesterday. I really miss the Butterbeer and can't wait to try your recipe. It's Ramadan this month, so guess what we'll be drinking at sunset? :-)
Sarah, please come back and let us know if you think we got it close! Happy Ramadan!
Fantastic! Have been wanting to try this but cannot see me getting to universal for a couple of years
Pretty sure in the books, Butterbeer is supposed to be warm o.O
Leah, we modeled this particular recipe after the cold drink available at the park. If you'd like a warm version, check out our Hot Butterbeer Recipe instead.
One major problem -- Butterbeer of the books/movies has booze in it. They don't make a big deal of this fact, but if you pay attention, there are plenty of references that prove this.
Nice that there's a kid-friendly one at the parks, but they should think of the adults as well! :O)
Remus, this particular recipe is modeled after the specific J.K. Rowling-approved drink that is served at Universal Studios, which is non-alcoholic. You can totally doctor your cup up with a shot or two of a complementary flavor of liqueur!
We just got back form several days at the parks and I was really upset that the lines for both Olivander's and all the places that serve Butterbeer were really long (It was like 101 degrees outside) So I never got to try it myself- but I am really looking forward to trying the etching AND the recipe, thanks!
Jeff, so sorry you didn't get to try the butterbeer at the park! What did you think of the Hogwarts Castle ride? Let us know how you like the recipe!
I can see that this recipe would be great for when its hot out, but when I think of butterbeer I think of 'a hot mug of butterbeer'. I don't remember it being served cold in any of the books. But I'm afraid that cream soda probably won't taste very good warmed up. So do you have another awesome recipe for hot butterbeer? If you do I'd love to see it.
Monica, we sure do! Give our Hot Butterbeer recipe a try for a cup-full that warms you up.
Just got back from Universal and bought Butterbeer to make the wait at Ollivanders wand shop easier. I hit the Butterbeer stand at 8:00 AM!(we had early entry to park) It was so good and so cold. It made the wait worth it. My daughter and I cant wait to make your Beer. H.P ride made me a bit sick but the Beer made it better! LOL
We went to the park a couple weeks after opening and couldn't do much because my grop didn't wanna deal with the people :P but we did get the butterbeer and it was amazing! I have already hunted down the recipe for pumpkin juice too. They were probably the best things I got to do in the park that day. I am planning to go back down when things settle down though.
WOW totally awesome!!! Not only to that you visited the set (only slightly jealous) but that you made the cups and the butterbeer! Will deffinately be trynig the recipe! Thanks a lot!
For alcoholic butter beer, cream soda with a shot or two of butterscotch schnapps in it is delicious. Being in college, we also sometimes ramp it up further with an extra shot of rum. It's quite nice!
Butterbeer was never hot in the books...people are maybe confused because in the books they often FELT warm after drinking it, which I assumed is cause it was supposed to contain alcohol.
Anyways, I just tried the official butterbeer at Universal studios (the frozen kind) and hoooo boy was it ever good! And we didn't wait in line at all, the butter beer stand just happened to have no one at it. In fact, there was very little waits for anything.. we walked into all the stores, waited 30 minutes for the Forbidden Journey ride and 15 minutes for the other two. We asked a cast member and they said that if you go first thing in the morning you will wait 1.5 hours to get into the area of the park, and huuugggee waits for everything. If you wait a few hours it's fine. So that's some advise for anyone who is visiting!
I might try this recipe, but to me the foam tasted very strongly of butterscotch... it doesn't look like it will in this recipe?
Angela, thanks for sharing the tip on when to visit the park! Please try our recipe and let us know how you think it compares. We thought the butterscotch flavoring was coming from the soda part and not the cream topping. We would appreciate your feedback.
I can't wait to try this recipe, but I think I will do half cream soda and half root beer. The non-frozen version at the WWoHP definitely had a bit of a root beer tang to it. I, for one, was glad that it wasn't butterscotch flavored, as I hate the taste of it, nor is it spicy. If you want something spicy, try the Pumpkin Juice! I know some of you think it tasted butterscotch-y, but I didn't think so at all. More caramel, in my opinion.
And for those of you who have mentioned it, Butterbeer is served both hot AND cold in the books!
Thanks for the recipe! Went to the park yesterday (I live here in Orlando) The butterbeers were great, and the lines were not long at all, only 30 minutes for the Forbidden Journey! Getting my ingredients today! Thanks!
Gena, we're so glad the lines are more under control at the park now. Please let us know what you think of our recipe :)
I tried the butterbeer at the park, then came home and found this recipe the same day. Made it for my wife after her spa day, and the three of use who went agreed that this tasted just like the one at the park. We followed the recipe to a t. Not sure why one would think it's not the same? VERY big hit, and we've had a few repeats. Saving my money for Universal souvenirs next time. :-)
Sean, so glad you enjoyed it! And, you are an awesome husband for making your wife Butterbeer after a hard day at the spa! : )
Tried it this morning, i used three separate flavorings though, an almond, butter, and vanilla. May not taste like urs but i quite enjoyed it. Thanks for the idea, made a big mug this morning and boy im full. Have a few harry potter fans coming over in a couple weeks gonna make them a few glasses. Thanks again.
Robert, now that's a tasty breakfast! :)
I went to the WWOHP and i was so lucky because it opened when i was on holiday! We didn't wait in the line because it was so long but the second Monday after it opened we went back again and got in! Now here's a tip...If the queue is long go on single rider and there is a slight chance you will get on with your family. Me and my sister waited in line for 20mins and even got on together! Tried the butterbeer there and it was cool. I'm going to try yours next. Thanks. Annie, Glasgow, Scotland!
I'm really eager to try your recipe, but it can't be perfect just yet. Last month, my fiance and I had the privilege to speak with one of the supervisors at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as we sat down for a meal. The only details regarding the recipe that she would spill is that it, per Rowling, is non-dairy. I'm not sure how such an incredible Butterbeer taste can be summoned while keeping it non-dairy, but she assured that it was a fact.
Ricky, I have heard that comment about it being non-dairy from another source. The best we can figure is that they are using a non-dairy formulated mixture to make the "foam" on top that tastes just like heavy whipping cream. We aren't sure, of course. Please let us know what you think of our recipe once you try it!
Thanks for the recipe! I don't think I'll ever be able to go to the park, but now I can have the butterbeer! I've made it twice now, and it's very delicious. Although, I thought that it tasted too much like cream soda. I guess I'll add more vanilla butter & nut flavoring.
Thanks for the recipe and the mug idea. I'm eager to try it. We just returned from WWOHP. The lines were not bad at all. I do wish I knew about the mug before I spent the $10 on the park one. I am also eager to make the barrel as our Girl Scout troop is doing a Harry Potter fund raiser and I think that would be a great touch. Thanks again.
Ricky, I was told at the Three Broomsticks that the drink itself is non-dairy but the topping has dairy products in it. My sister asked because she's vegan, and was very disappointed she couldn't have any..
Just tried the recipe, and it is spot on from what I remember when I was at the park on October 3rd. FWIW, I used IBC cream soda, as it had the right color :-), and I also just put the vanilla butter and nut flavoring in the glass first (half portion, since I was just making one serving to try it out), and poured the cream soda over top -- that seemed to provide sufficient mixing.
I would also suggest to people that you should make sure the topping isn't *too* thick -- you should be getting some of the cream in each sip you take, and on my first attempt, it was a bit too solid and just floated on top (I was doing the hand shake in a condiment bottle
Brian, so glad you liked it! I have also shaken it a little too long and it ended up too thick. Oops! You should try the hot Butterbeer recipe as well. Nothing like the park but it is so good!
I read the previous comments and we live in Orlando. We drank the butterbeer there and the creamy topping is indeed butterscotch flavored. I didn't notice anything in the bottom except for what tasted like cream soda, possibly with a bit of butterscotch flavoring as well, but when they dispense it, it appears to be plain soda to which they add the butterscotch topping. I am going to try your recipe with just one modification (butterscotch in the topping as well) Will let you know how it turns out. :)
I have been scouring the internet for a good butterbeer recipe and came across a link to your site while sifting through comments on the Food Network site. I was intrigued and decided to try it. I could not find the extract locally, so my wife purchased it from you. I must say, you've earned an "Exceeds Expectations"! I've found that adding 1tbs of Butterscotch Kisses Cocoa Mix (acquired from Tastefully Simple) will definitely improve your grade to "Outstanding". Very close to WWoHP!
Albus, thanks for the great score!
This is awesome I can now enjoy my favorite part of my vacation. But i do have a question. I want to make this for a Christmas party and i'm having multiple people (around 10-12 people) and i was wondering how you would measure out the ingredients to serve 12 people. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch!!!
Kerilynn, you can just multiply the ingredient numbers by 6 to get the right amount since the recipe makes 2, 12 ounce servings. We hope you have a great Christmas party!
I can't wait to try this! I have tried Universal's frozen, and it was delicious! In case this wasn't posted yet...Universal does have an alcoholic version at the Hogs Head Pub, which I didn't discover until I left. Hopefully I'll get to go again soon, but it won't be until next year.
Hey there Jo and Chica (and everyone reading the talkback)-
My wife and I thought it would be fun to serve Butterbeer to everyone over the holidays. I've read...gosh, countless recipes and the simplicity of this one appealed to me, not because it's super easy to follow/create, but the ingredients seemed to make the most "sense".
I ordered the vanilla and butter nut flavoring, and did everything as instructed. In the end, I ended up adding the butterscotch cocoa as Albus suggested for non-alcoholic versions and butterscotch schnapps for adult versions. Both are out of this world tasty. I highly recommend using this recipe, without a doubt, and including the "extra" butterscotch flavoring if you so desire it.
Thanks for an awesome recipe- I can't wait to serve it to my nieces and nephews, they are going to be so excited.
Best,
Christopher
Christopher, thanks for the feedback about the recipe in general and about the suggestions Albus made. I haven't had a chance to try out the butterscotch cocoa yet. I must admit, I am partial to the version with the butterscotch schnapps!
I made this today, and I must say it came out superbly. I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in November and had Butterbeer though. By my comparison, it's close, close enough to make again and be more than content. The cream is slightly off, but it's still delicious. The dirnk itself tastes really close, if not pin-point perfect! You guys did a great job re-creating this recipe, and thank you for it greatly!
Ryan, thanks for your comments. We're glad you love our recipe! We hope to make it back to The Wizarding World next summer so we can try the original again and maybe fine-tune our recipe :)
Chica and Jo have done it! My family and I went to the WWoHP about a month after it opened and wanted to give our official seal of approval to your recipe. This is fantastic, and it truly is the flavor we have been trying to find ever since. Regardless of what others may say, this is exactly like the butterbeer we spent a small fortune on at the park. So if you can't make it there, rest assured that Chica and Jo have nailed it, and you will be able to experience this tasty beverage as it was meant to be. Thanks again you guys - finding your site (credit to my wife) was a great surprise just in time for Christmas.
Sean, thanks so much for your great feedback. I am planning a trip back there in February and I am going to be paying really close attention this time in case we can do any fine tuning. Merry Christmas!
This recipe is great! Me and my girlfriend went to wwohp this summer past when they were doing a soft opening and got to try butterbeer chilled and frozen. I have to say this recipe is really close if not dead on. I made her a gift basket like yours with shredded black and green construction paper for her favorite house, slytherin. She loved it. Thanks again!
I was at WWHP with my family on 28 Dec. It was pretty chilly in the park that night but we got in the long line for Butterbeer anyway (how can you not?). Despite taking our core temperatures down even further, we all loved it. I just got done making this for my family this evening. I followed your recipe exactly except that I made the frosting a little too stiff. We all think that this recipe is on the money!
At first, I wasn't really sure of this recipe. But today, I made it for my husband and I, and we both agree that it tastes like the real thing! Thanks for sharing!
I was there a few days ago and had both the frozen and draft butterbeer. As for the draft recipe, I thought you got the soda part dead on. However, I definitely think there was butterscotch flavoring in the foam. I think your recipe would be virtually identical if you added maybe some butterscotch syrup to the cream on top.
Just tried your cold recipe last night. I thought it was absolutely incredible!! Just got back from Orlando about 2 weeks ago and I think its spot on. My wife thinks we need to try a touch of butterscotch so I am going to buy some extract and do a drop or 2 in the cream. Great Work!
Just got back yesterday and LOVED Universal's Hogsmead....My son is really looking forward to making frozen butterbeer..it's all he talks about! One note, and if I'm rehashing, sorry...I didn't read all of the posts...if you buy the collectors mug, you can use it for refills at a reduced price.
Lines were long, but we did manage to visit everything except Olivander's. When my husband commented to a worker on the small size for the crowds, he was told that the author wanted to maintain the English feel. He was also told by more than one worker that expansion is in the works!!
Michele, can't wait to see how they expand. I was actually surprised they hadn't made a Gringotts with a trolley roller coaster inside. So, Universal, if you are out there and want Jo's humble opinion on how to design your park, that's my two cents worth!
This is, by far, the best Butterbeer recipe on the internet - and I've tried quite a few. The vanilla butter and nut flavoring really makes the drink taste like the real butterbeer at Universal! I remember the whipped cream tasting a little like marshmallow cream. Do you think they mixed a little of that in with the whipped cream? I'd love for you to try that combination and tell us if it works out. Thank you so much. I like your cold butterbeer recipe much better than the hot butterbeer recipe.
Jennifer, thanks! The whipped topping seemed to fizz a bit on my tongue and I made note of that our last trip there. We are working on a variation to make the topping more like that. I will try adding some marshmallow cream and see how it goes. Thanks!
We just came back from Florida and I tried to recreate the Butterbeer. I thought it tasted like melted vanilla ice cream with butter extract in it. (You can find butter extract anywhere they sell cake decorating supplies or through Wilton.) It has been a couple weeks since our visit and I am interested to see what a local would say about the melted ice cream on top. I am definitely going to try the whipped cream next time. My boys loved the Butterbeer.
Hello! I'm having a sleepover tomorrow night (with a fellow Potterhead) and this is definitely going on our list as a to-do. Thanks for the recipe!
Somebody said the butterbeer made the "Harry Potter" book characters feel warm because they thought it was alcoholic.
I really disagree! The drinks were made with MAGIC! So when the weather was cold, the drink was (and remained) warm and made the person feel warm...and vice versa.
Another note: I believe that in at least one of the movies, the kids drank butterbeer from bottles when they wanted to cool off.
Thank you for this recipe. I have my niece and nephew visiting and we've experimented with a couple of recipes. My niece's comment was, "This one's a keeper!" they spent a good 10 minutes playing with their 'butterbeerstaches' (mustaches). You helped create a fun vacation memory for them. Thanks so much again.
My brother has a friend who works at the park, and surprised be i may, your recipe is about dead on. Luckily my brother has great connections and his friend gave the recipe to him as payment for a job my bro did. only difference is since they make it by the can, they use 1tbs of vanilla butter nut extract to each 12oz can of cream soda. =)
I had been googling recipes all day to compare, and when he gave me the official, i typed in 'vanilla butter nut extract' and 'cream soda' and you and only 1 other person has it down. =) Just thought i'd chime. in. <3 enjoy.
Not sure if this was mentioned as i didn't read all of the posts, but if you put a spoonful of the whipped cream in your cup first you will get a beautiful, frothy foamy glass of butterbeer. Cheers!
Summer, thanks for the tip. We'll have to try that out!
I went to the park and I loved the beer! I am very excited to try this version
Wow! I'm late for the party as usual. Justa want to say..yet AGAIN...how much I LOVE this site. Great job Chica + Jo!! My oldest child attended college in FL + went to the "parks" frequently. She LOVED this butterbeer. Finding the recipe on your site...I really want to make this for my entire family. Just need to find the butter nut flavoring.
Many thanks.
I'm wondering if this recipe can be multiplied for the butterbeer dispenser you showed. I'm having a party and I want enough for everyone!
Lex, our Butterbeer recipe can definitely be multiplied and used in this barrel project. The only ingredient that you'll need to adjust is the whipped cream. You don't need the entire 1/2 cup quantity called for in the recipe, but if you start with less cream, you'll have a had time whipping it. Once you multiply all your ingredients out, you'll only need about half the whipped cream count that you get. Enjoy!