Butterbeer
on Jan 08, 2024, Updated Jun 27, 2024
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This Harry Potter inspired Butterbeer recipe is almost identical to the one you can get at Universal Studios! Filled with delicious notes of butterscotch, this drink is always a big hit.
When I think of Butterbeer, my mind immediately turns to Harry Potter and the absolutely delicious drink you can get at Universal Studios. Most people are on the hunt for that recipe after they take one sip! This recipe is just about identical to the real thing, making it the perfect choice for a Harry Potter themed party, dessert, or even just a sweet drink with dinner.
The cream soda, butterscotch sauce, and homemade whipped topping work together to create an irresistible treat. The buttery whipped cream is one of the best parts about this drink. When stirred into your cream soda, it will ensure you get a little bit of that buttery richness in every sip.
Sometimes I like to serve something savory to balance out the sweet of this drink. My easy Homemade pretzels would be delicious with Butterbeer. Biscuits with sausage and cheese would make a great side to this sweet drink too. If you are hosting a party and serving Butterbeer, try making this cheese board to add to the spread!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a festive, unique dessert.
- Has a signature buttery, smooth, and sweet flavor.
- Comes together in less than 10 minutes.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cream Soda—Can be bottled or canned.
- Heavy Cream—To create the whipped topping.
- Salted Butter— Melted. This will add a smooth and buttery taste to your drink.
- Powdered Sugar— Helps make your whipped cream sweet and gives it some form.
- Butterscotch Sauce— Can be replaced with caramel sauce in a pinch.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Equipment You’ll Need
You will need an electric hand mixer to make the topping for your Butterbeer. This will make it much easier and give you a beautiful, fluffy finish to the drink!
How to Make Butterbeer
Step #1. Use an electric hand mixer to whisk the cream, butter, powdered sugar, and one tablespoon of butterscotch sauce together.
Step #2. Mix until the cream reaches stiff peaks.
Step #3. Pour the soda into four 24 ounce glasses. Gently whisk about two tablespoons of butterscotch into each glass until it is homogenous with the soda.
Step #4. Top each drink with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Butterscotch and caramel are surprisingly similar. In fact, the only difference is the type of sugar that is used. Caramel is created using white granulated sugar while butterscotch is made using brown sugar. As a result, the two have similar flavor profiles. While we always recommend using butterscotch sauce to get the most authentic flavor in your Butterbeer, you can use caramel sauce in a pinch.
Just like the version served at Universal Studios, this recipe does not contain alcohol. However, you can modify this recipe to include beer or rum if you are planning on serving it to a group of adults!
You will be able to find fruity flavors of cream soda at the store, but we recommend using original cream soda for the best taste! Other sodas will not offer the same taste and cohesiveness that the old fashioned cream soda does. With that being said, we recommend using root beer if you cannot find any creamed soda at your local grocery store.
Expert Tips
- If you only have unsalted butter, you can add ¼ teaspoon of salt after you melt the butter. This will help balance the sweetness of the whipped cream.
- If you can’t find butterscotch sauce at your local grocery store, you can use caramel sauce instead.
- It is important to whisk in the butterscotch gently to prevent the soda from fizzing over the sides of the glass.
- You can spoon on your whipped cream, or transfer it to a piping bag for a cleaner look.
- I would recommend drinking Butterbeer right out of the cup rather than a straw so you can get the flavor from the whipped topping as you drink the soda!.
- For some extra flavor, we like to top our soda with some extra caramel or butterscotch syrup.
How to Serve and Store Butterbeer
Butterbeer is a fun treat for any occasion! You can serve this as a dessert, as a drink for a themed party, or as a sweet snack anytime of day. Keep in mind that this soda should be served immediately after the whipped cream is added. That being said, you can store the whipped cream in a covered bowl or airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge if you want a head start on making this treat.
More Dessert Recipes To Consider
Dessert Recipes
Rhubarb Crumb Bars
Cookies
Maple Sugar Cookies
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Homemade Coconut Cream Pie
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Butterbeer
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butterscotch sauce, divided
- 8 12 ounce cans cream soda
Instructions
- Use an electric hand mixer to whisk the cream, butter, powdered sugar, and one tablespoon of butterscotch sauce together until the cream reaches stiff peaks.
- Pour the soda into four 24 ounce glasses. Gently whisk about two tablespoons of butterscotch sauce into each glass until it is homogenous with the soda.
- Top each drink with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can spoon on your whipped cream or transfer it to a pipping bag for a nicer look.
- If you only have unsalted butter then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the melted butter. This will help balance the sweetness of the whipped topping.
- You will be able to find fruity flavors of cream soda, but we recommend using
- classic, original cream soda for the best taste.
This soda should be served immediately after the whipped cream is added. That being said, you can store the whipped cream in a bowl covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge. - It is important to whisk in the butterscotch gently to prevent your soda from fizzing over the sides of the glass.
- If you can’t find butterscotch sauce at your local store then you can use caramel sauce instead.
- For some extra flavor we like to top our soda with some extra caramel or butterscotch syrup.
