Butterbeer Recipe

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Be they wizard, witch or muggle, everyone can enjoy a creamy and powerful Butterbeer potion.

My memory of reading that very first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, is quite vivid. Of course, elsewhere in the world, the novel’s title has Philosopher’s Stone in it, but anyway. It was something I kept seeing everyone—and I do mean everyone—reading on the subway and in waiting rooms and on breaks at work, and just about everywhere else too. It was the kind of thing I found out about strictly because I kept seeing everybody who ever existed seemingly with a copy under their arm, or with their noses buried deep within it. My mother used to be a school teacher, so I asked her about it. She immediately brightened up and got excited, exclaiming how her students just couldn’t get enough of the book and how it got them heavily into reading. So I grabbed myself a copy, bringing it with me on one of my first jobs as a young actor to get lost in between setups and scenes.

A few short years after I sat at a makeup mirror and poured over that fast-moving and totally engrossing tale, “Pottermania” had completely taken over the world and media landscape, with more books coming out regularly and an incredibly successful movie franchise launched from them as well. Merchandise followed almost immediately too, with many items bringing some of the more whimsical confections found in the stories to life, like “every flavor” jellybeans, for example. But the one thing I wanted to try the most, which absolutely made my mouth water every time a character had one, was Butterbeer. For the longest time, you could only get an “official” version of this drink—which is non-alcoholic—at Universal Studios in either Florida or California.

Tonight’s recipe, however, will bring the creamy, smooth and buttery magic home. This adult version of the popular concoction has a very welcome bite on the finish of every sip, thanks to the vodka and schnapps used to craft it. Even if you’ve never read a Harry Potter book, seen a movie, played a video game, or a board game, or seen the quiz show hosted by Helen Mirren, or built the LEGO sets or… well, you get the idea. People like Potter.

And you will love the Butterbeer.

What is the best alcohol to use in a Butterbeer?

We’ll need some butterscotch schnapps and vanilla vodka to craft this creamy, sweet and boozy version of the Wizarding World favorite. For the schnapps, you’ll have a handful of nice options, like DeKuyper, Hiram Walker and Bols, but if you run across Dr. McGillicuddy’s Butterscotch Liqueur, give that a try for some extra intense flavor. We’ll also need a vanilla vodka for some extra saccharine zip and a gratifying warmth on the finish. Many of the top brands produce their own vanilla-flavored spirit, including Absolut, Grey Goose and Smirnoff.

What glassware and garnish are used?

You can have some fun with the presentation on this beverage. I have quite a few lovely and decorative glass beer steins I’ve been gifted by my parents, from when we lived in Germany. I always enjoy my Butterbeers out of one, and they leave plenty of room at the top for the whipped cream and butterscotch sauce drizzle. You don’t need a stein, just a large enough mug or pint glass to comfortably drink yours out of.

What is the best cream soda to use?

Just go to your grocery store, hit the soft drink aisle, and you’ll see a number of fancy, boutique, and bottled cream sodas to choose from. Those all are fine choices, whatever they may be, but I love a nice, cold IBC version myself, and I also can’t say enough good things about an old-school can of A&W, too. Grab both if you see them.

Similar drinks to the Butterbeer

Ever since I was a kid with an incurable sweet tooth, I’ve been all about shakes, floats, egg creams, ice cream sodas and the like. If soda and something dessert-esque and creamy were paired together, I was the first one in line for it, baby. As an adult, I still enjoy beverages like that, but with a little something extra added to them. Twist & Toast has recipes for exactly the kind of weekend treat you might be craving.

• Colorado Bulldog – Creamy and carbonated, this mixture of coffee, cream, vodka and cola is a tipple you need to try.
• Alcoholic Root Beer Float – Ice cream, vodka, and root beer make for a fantastic and tasty mixture.
• Boston Cooler – Ginger ale, ice cream and a spirit or two craft this refreshing sipper.
• Orange Creamsicle – Frothy and strong, this cool and creamy cocktail is like a popsicle in a glass.