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In Search Of Yummy-ness > Recipes > Drinks

Butterbeer Recipe (Harry Potter)

Updated: October 18, 2024 • Published: October 30, 2015 • Written By: Shareba Abdul • This page may contain affiliate links. • 14 Comments

4.3 from 6 votes
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A clear beer mug full of frothy cold butterbeer on a dark table. Text overlay says Butterbeer inspired by the Harry Potter books.

Sip your way into the magical world of Harry Potter with this sweet and frothy homemade Butterbeer recipe.

With only four ingredients, you can make this delicious treat in minutes!

A clear mug of frothy cold butterbeer next to a wand from Harry Potter.

If you've ever dreamt of strolling down Diagon Alley or cozying up in the Three Broomsticks, you're not alone.

Whether you're a dedicated Potterhead, or just curious about what this sweet frothy concoction tastes like, I've got the perfect homemade Butterbeer recipe for you.

Jump to Section:
  • 🍺 What Is Butterbeer?
  • 🍻 Who Would Enjoy Butterbeer?
  • 🍦 Ingredients You'll Need
  • 🥛 Making the Recipe
  • • Recipe •

🍺 What Is Butterbeer?

Butterbeer is a beloved beverage in the Harry Potter series.

It's the wizarding world's equivalent of a comforting cream soda, served in a kid-friendly inn and pub called the Three Broomsticks in the village of Hogsmeade.

J.K. Rowling's books provide a vague description of this magical drink, saying it's "a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch", so the exact recipe is pretty much up to your interpretation.

My Butterbeer is a creamy butterscotch-flavoured beverage with a hint of fizz. The flavours are rich and comforting and are perfect for wandering the cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade or curling up with a good book.

A tall clear beer mug full of cold butterbeer.

🍻 Who Would Enjoy Butterbeer?

Butterbeer is a fun treat for all ages! Here's why it's a drink that can enchant just about anyone:

Harry Potter Enthusiasts: For devoted fans of the Harry Potter series, Butterbeer is a taste of the wizarding world right in their own homes.

Families and Kids: The sweet, butterscotch flavours are a hit with children and adults alike. It's a wonderful treat to share with kids while you dive into the enchanting tales of Hogwarts.

Autumn Lovers: With its warm and comforting butterscotch notes, Butterbeer is a fantastic non-alcoholic fall drink.

Anyone with a Sweet Tooth: If you have a penchant for sweet treats, this drink is sure to satisfy! It's a dessert in a glass, complete with a frothy, creamy top.

🍦 Ingredients You'll Need

To brew your own Butterbeer, you'll need just a few simple ingredients:

  • Butterscotch Sauce: You can use homemade or store-bought butterscotch sauce. Substitute with caramel sauce if you can't find butterscotch.
  • Boiling Water: Used for dissolving butterscotch, if needed.
  • American Cream Soda: This is a clear or pale brown cream soda with a vanilla flavour. See below for more information.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: I'd recommended using real ice cream, not "frozen dessert" to get the right creaminess.

Canadian Cream Soda vs. American Cream Soda

When it comes to cream soda, there's a significant difference between Canadian cream soda and American cream soda (like the Virgil’s Vanilla Cream soda that I use in this recipe).

Canadian Cream Soda: Canadian cream soda is either clear or bright pink in colour, with an intensely sweet flavour like cotton candy or bubblegum.

American Vanilla Cream Soda: American cream soda, such as Virgil's, tends to be clear or pale brown in colour. It has a rich, creamy vanilla flavour with a hint of caramel, which makes it a great match for the butterscotch and ice cream in this Butterbeer recipe.

A glass mug full of cold butterbeer next to a Harry Potter wand.

🥛 Making the Recipe

Making Butterbeer at home is surprisingly simple.

I start by adding the butterscotch sauce to a tall glass or a glass mug (like the one shown in my photos).

If the sauce is too thick, as it can be straight out of the fridge, I mix in a teaspoon of boiling water to help it dissolve.

Next, I pour in the cream soda and gently stir to combine. Be careful not to over-stir, as it can lose its carbonation.

Finally, I top it off with a tablespoon of real vanilla ice cream, stirring briefly to create a frothy foam on top.

You can serve this drink at room-temperature or cold.

If you prefer a warmer drink, use room-temperature cream soda and pop the glass in the microwave for about 30 seconds before adding the ice cream.

To enjoy it cold, simply make sure your cream soda is chilled before adding it to your drink mixture.

Now that you've mastered the art of creating your own Harry Potter Butterbeer, you can enjoy this delightful drink from the comfort of your own home.

It's the perfect treat for cozy nights in, movie marathons of the Harry Potter series, or themed Harry Potter parties with friends.

• Recipe •

A glass mug full of cold frothy butterbeer next to a Harry Potter wand.

Butterbeer

Indulge in the magic of the wizarding world with this homemade Butterbeer, a sweet and frothy concoction featuring butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream, and the delightful fizz of Virgil's Cream Soda.
Created By: Shareba Abdul
4.3 from 6 votes
Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
PREP TIME: 5 minutes mins
TOTAL TIME: 5 minutes mins
SERVINGS: 1 glass
PRINT RATE SAVESaved!

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoon butterscotch sauce, (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 teaspoon boiling water, (used to dissolve butterscotch if needed)
  • 355 millilitres Virgil’s Vanilla Cream soda, at room temperature (or other pale brown vanilla cream soda)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla ice cream, (preferably real ice cream not frozen dessert)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions
 

  • Add butterscotch sauce to a tall glass. If the sauce has been in the fridge, you will need to add the boiling water to help it dissolve.
  • Pour in the soda, and give the mixture a quick stir to combine. If you stir too much, you will lose the carbonation of the soda.
  • Add the ice cream, and stir briefly until foam forms on top of the drink.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutions:
If you cannot find Virgil's Cream Soda, try to use another American cream soda. A pale caramel-coloured cream soda with a strong vanilla flavour will give you the best results, but a clear cream soda may also work. 
Do not use pink Canadian cream soda in this recipe, the flavour and colour will not work.
Tips:
You can serve this drink at room-temperature or cold.
If you prefer a warmer drink, use room-temperature cream soda and pop the glass in the microwave for about 30 seconds before adding the ice cream.
To enjoy it cold, simply make sure your cream soda is chilled before adding it to your drink mixture.

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 80g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition Disclaimer: this nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 449 kcal

This recipe was originally published in October 2015. It has since been updated with new content, and the recipe is now non-alcoholic and kid-friendly.

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  1. Logan Can says

    November 02, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    This looks so delicious! I've been wanting to try a Butterbeer recipe! My husband and I will have to make this next time we binge watch HP!

    Reply
    • Shareba Abdul says

      November 02, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      Thanks Logan, I hope you do try it!

      Reply
  2. Karyn says

    November 01, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    I have never made butterbeer, but this looks awesome! Thanks so much for using my butterscotch recipe in it. It is an magical elixir!

    Reply
    • Shareba Abdul says

      November 02, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      Your butterscotch recipe is SO MUCH BETTER than the store-bought stuff! It worked perfectly in this drink!

      Reply
    • Joy Gross says

      March 19, 2025 at 6:33 pm

      Thank you I can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Shareba Abdul says

        March 19, 2025 at 7:01 pm

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
  3. Angela @thechewylife says

    October 30, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Oh how I love Harry Potter! <3 This is the perfect drink for fall and winter, love it!!!

    Reply
    • Shareba Abdul says

      October 30, 2015 at 10:42 pm

      Thanks Angela!

      Reply
  4. Amanda | The Cinnamon Scrolls says

    October 30, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Hi Shareba! It was wonderful to meet you last weekend, albeit briefly! You have a fantastic blog here! I feel like you and I are in the same boat here. I'm a huge Potterhead, but haven't been able to visit any of the parks either! It's so sad. And I totally agree that I thought Butterbeer would taste like a frothy hot toddy but with a bit more vanilla flavour. Not sure why! Anyway, this looks fab and I'll definitely be making it sometime this winter! Talk soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Shareba Abdul says

      October 30, 2015 at 6:26 pm

      Hey Amanda, it was nice to meet you too! The conference went by so quickly!!

      I totally agree with you about the vanilla! Virigil's Cream Soda is actually made with vanilla beans, so it add vanilla flavour to the drink. The vanilla ice cream also helps lol.

      Reply
  5. Julia (@Imagelicious) says

    October 30, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    It's like you took the words out of my head. This is exactly how I feel about characters, I get really immersed into the story and then I miss all the characters like real friends once the story is done. And Also, I feel the same about Harry Potter universe. I read the books many times and I saw the movies more than once. I also dream of going to the HP theme park. Your Butterbeer is lovely and kudos on the magic wand! Better than my chopstick that I used in place of a wand 6 years ago for my HP recipe (https://www.imagelicious.com/blog/post/harry-potters-favourite-treacle-tart)

    Reply
    • Shareba Abdul says

      October 30, 2015 at 6:23 pm

      I go through withdrawal when I finish a good book - I hate saying goodbye to the characters! The wand is actually from the theme park! I knew my friend bought one when she visited, and she was kind enough to lend it to me for the photos 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lily @Gastro Senses says

    October 30, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    Ok – this may have to replace my usual Xmas morning drink! Yum!

    Reply
    • Shareba Abdul says

      October 30, 2015 at 1:00 pm

      Ooh, what do you usually have? I think you'll like this, but just know that it's very sweet 😉

      Reply
A photo of Shareba Abdul, founder of In Search Of Yummy-ness.

Hi, I'm Shareba!

I’m a home cook with a culinary arts certificate who shares seasonal comfort food recipes and cozy living inspiration.

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