Butterbeer is a non-alcoholic drink that everyone can enjoy at your Halloween party, besides the classic orange sherbet punch. It’s a fun, frothy, and sweet drink that captures a bit of magic and whimsy.
Contents
Butterbeer recipe
Butterbeer is a popular fictional beverage from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. You might hear about this beverage in the pages of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” The drink is described as a tasting of butterscotch with a slight warming effect. This drink transitioned from a fictional treat to a real-world beloved drink.
This drink is characterized by its sweet, butterscotch flavor that is reminiscent of caramel and shortbread. It is simple to prepare, often just requiring a combination of soda with a pre-made topping.
The sweet, creamy profile of this dessert drink pairs well with rich, sweet, and savory treats like treacle tart Harry’s favorite dessert, chocolate frogs, and shortbread cookies or fudge. It also complements rich desserts like potted cream or ice cream. For a savory contrast, try it with pork or ham sandwiches, Bangers and Mash, or Shepherd’s Pie.
For snacks, buttered popcorn, Goldfish Crackers, or themed sweets like Honeydukes candies work well. Dessert pairings include chocolate mousse, brownies, or fruit-filled pastries. For a fun twist, make a butterbeer float by pouring it over vanilla or butterscotch ice cream.
Here’s how to make Butterbeer:
Whimsical Butterbeer
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 2 cups cream soda
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butterscotch syrup plus extra for drizzling
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp butter optional, for a richer flavor
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and 1 tbsp butterscotch syrup until soft peaks form. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, gently warm the cream soda over medium heat. Stir in the remaining butterscotch syrup and butter (if using). Heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
- Pour the warm butterbeer into mugs, leaving some space at the top. Spoon a generous amount of the whipped topping over each mug and drizzle with extra butterscotch syrup.
Notes
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Variations
Harry Potter series inspires countless butterbeer variations. Each recipe aims to capture the essence of Hogsmeade’s favorite drink.
- Alcoholic Butterbeer adds 1 cup spiced rum or butterscotch liqueur into the warmed cream soda after adding the butterscotch syrup.
- Frozen Version
- Blend the cream soda, butterscotch syrup, and ice (and ice cream, if using) until smooth and slushy.
- Top with the whipped topping and drizzle with butterscotch syrup.
- Hagrid’s Big Boozy Butterbeer includes 1 cup of butterscotch schnapps and 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
- Vegan Version
- Replace heavy cream with coconut cream or whipped coconut topping.
- Use non-dairy cream soda (like a vegan brand or one sweetened with natural sugars).
- Substitute butterscotch syrup with a vegan-friendly brand or make your own using coconut sugar and water.
- Low-Calorie Version
- Use diet cream soda or sugar-free cream soda to cut calories.
- Replace heavy cream with light whipped topping or a low-calorie whipped cream alternative.
- Reduce the amount of butterscotch syrup to 1 tablespoon or use a sugar-free version.