How To Make Homemade Butterbeer From Universal Studios

Every theme park junkie and book enthusiast knows about the beloved Universal Studios butterbeer from their Harry Potter Wizarding World.

And for the innocent average Joe who hasn’t fallen down either of those two rabbit holes, you’ve either heard one of your friends fawn over the butterscotch brew or you’ve innocuously stumbled upon this collection of butterbeer recipes and are in for a tasty drink.

Now, what is this legendary Harry Potter butterbeer best found at Universal Studios? Butterbeer is a nonalcoholic caramel butterscotch cream soda concoction topped with whipped cream foam.

Sourced from the Harry Potter books, it’s served up at Universal Studios’ Wizarding World Of Harry Potter and commonly found in your Instagram feed during the summer with either the Hogwarts Castle or Diagon Alley dragon in the background.

But now, it can be found in your kitchen at home too–either frozen, alcoholic, hot, or regular depending on which homemade butterbeer recipe below you choose!

Related Reading: 15 Beloved Theme Park Recipes To Try At Home

The Rundown On Butterbeer

What Is Butterbeer?

As touched on above, butterbeer is a caramel butterscotch flavored cream soda that’s topped with a butterscotch whipped cream foam.

It’s a beverage sourced from the Harry Potter book series, in which it’s served cold or hot. 

Likewise, when Universal Studios debuted their Harry Potter World, butterbeer became a popular staple on their drink menus. And in the summer heat, the cold version or frozen version are the perfect treat.

What Is Butterbeer Made Of?

Butterbeer is made of cream soda, butterscotch flavor, and whipped topping. 

Butterscotch schnapps can be added to make a boozy version. Alternatively, whole milk and brown sugar can be used to create the hot version best enjoyed during the winter.

How Alcoholic Is Butterbeer?

By default, regular butterbeer is nonalcoholic. However, you can add butterscotch liqueur and vanilla vodka to make an alcoholic butterbeer.

Easy Butterbeer Recipe (Non-Alcoholic)

Ingredients

• 2 liters cream soda chilled
• 1/4 teaspoon caramel extract
• 1/4 teaspoon butter extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butterscotch topping
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

• Mix cream soda, caramel extract, and butter extract
• Separately, whip heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks
• Add butterscotch topping and powdered sugar to the whipping cream
• Pour butterbeer mixture into jar and top with butterscotch cream topping

Alcoholic Butterbeer Recipe

Ingredients 

• 4 cups cream soda chilled
• 3/4 cup butterscotch liqueur
• 3/4 cup vanilla vodka
• 1/4 teaspoon butter extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butterscotch topping
• 1/2 powdered sugar

Instructions

• Mix cream soda, butterscotch liqueur, vanilla vodka, and butter extract
• Separately, whip heavy cream until it forms stiffened peaks
• Add butterscotch topping and powdered sugar to the whipping cream
• Pour alcoholic butterbeer mixture into jar and top with butterscotch cream topping

Frozen Butterbeer Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 liters cream soda
• 1/4 teaspoon caramel extract
• 1/4 teaspoon butter extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butterscotch topping
• 1/2 powdered sugar

Instructions

• Freeze half of the cream soda in cubes, chill other half of the soda in the fridge
• Blend frozen cream soda, chilled cream soda, caramel extract, and butter extract for 30-60 seconds
• Separately, whip heavy cream until it forms stiffened peaks
• Add butterscotch topping and powdered sugar to the whipping cream
• Pour frozen butterbeer mixture into jar and top with butterscotch cream topping

Hot Butterbeer Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 liter cream soda
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butterscotch topping
• 1/2 powdered sugar

Instructions

• Melt cup of butterscotch chips in the microwave
• Over medium heat on the stove, mix milk, brown sugar, and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer
• Add the melted butterscotch chips and vanilla extract
• Once fully combined and simmering, remove from heat and stir in cream soda
• Separately, whip heavy cream until it forms soft peaks
• Add butterscotch topping and powdered sugar to the whipping cream
• Pour hot butterbeer mixture into mug and top with butterscotch cream topping

Wrap Up

Once you’ve had a sip, you’ll find that it’s no wonder that butterbeer has become such a popular drink amongst Universal Studios guests and huge Harry Potter fans alike! 

It’s a fun flavor and universal in range. It’s a refreshing chilled beverage during the summer and a cozy hot alternative to hot chocolate in winter. It can be enjoyed by children of all ages by default or boozed up to create a bewitching alcoholic brew for adults.

Not to mention, it’s the perfect drink to pair with vanilla ice cream and sticky toffee pudding.

And the best part yet, it can be enjoyed any time of year at home! Because unfortunately, we cannot live year-round at Universal Studios–as great as it’d be to call Cabana Bay home and the Wizarding World a backyard playground.

But we can dream, and we can drink butterbeer.

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite variation of butterbeer: original, alcoholic, frozen, or hot?

For more theme park recipes, you can also check out:

• 15 Beloved Theme Park Recipes To Try At Home
• The Famous Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Thanks for reading!