An adult version of Harry Potter's favorite drink, this sweet, creamy, bubbly, and potent Boozy Butterbeer is a cocktail Madame Rosmerta of the Three Broomsticks would be proud to serve! There’s also instructions for hot butterbeer, frozen butterbeer, and a non-alcoholic butterbeer recipe, too.
Why this recipe works
- Simple to make...just shake, stir, and enjoy!
- You can adjust the sweetness level
- You can also serve this cocktail frozen, hot, or a kid-friendly verson
The legions of Harry Potter fans span the globe, and extend to all ages.
While these novels are considered "kid's books," I know many adults who like to read/watch/listen to the books/movies/audiobooks. They also like to discuss, analyze, and share the wizarding lore of Harry Potter.
I, of course, am drawn to the food and drink of Harry Potter (no surprise there!).
From Treacle Tarts to Sticky Toffee Pudding, I enjoy exploring the tastes of this world. Which is not unlike what I do for my Outlandercast.com How They Made It articles, exploring the food and drink of Outlander.
Good times.
My next challenge is Butterbeer, Harry's favorite drink from his trips to The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. And I knew just where to go to find a recipe.
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Looking for that magic elixer
My friends, Mary & Blake Larsen, have a wonderful podcast called The Potterverse dedicated to the book and film universe of Harry Potter. They've been slowly crawling through the books and movies, "chaptah by chaptah" as Blake would say in his Boston accent.
On one such podcast, Blake mentioned that he makes an alcoholic Butterbeer cocktail at Halloween. If you're like me and associate Halloween with Harry Potter, making this Halloween cocktail is a no-brainer!
What you need
The ingredients to make butterbeer are pretty common (heavy cream, vanilla, sugar), with the possible exception of butterscotch liqueur (aka butterscotch schnapps) and cream soda. You can usually find butterscotch schnapps at your local liquor store or large retail liquor chains, and cream soda is readily available at most grocery stores.
You can also buy the butterscotch sauce at the market, but I prefer to make my own. It's fast, easy, and tastes wonderful poured over vanilla ice cream!
This is a very sweet cocktail, so you can substitute diet cream soda if you prefer, and adjust the amount of sugar in the butterscotch whipped cream.
How to make Boozy Butterbeer
This alcoholic butterbeer recipe comes together in a flash. you might even say it's magic!
Step 1: Add liquids to a cocktail shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Measure the butterscotch liqueur and vodka using the large and small sides of a double jigger, respectively.
Pour the cream soda, butterscotch liqueur, vodka, and vanilla extract into the cocktail shaker (photo 1). Stir with a bar spoon and strain the liquid into a glass or mug.
Step 2: Make butterscotch whipped cream
Lightly whip the heavy cream until it just starts to thicken. Stir in the butterscotch sauce (photo 2).
Add the sugar and whip until the cream has thickened but is still soft and pourable (photo 3). You can decide how sweet to make this whipped cream.
Step 4: Garnish the cocktail
Spoon the butterscotch whipped cream over the top of the drink, lightly stirring it. Drizzle more butterscotch sauce over the top to garnish (photo 4).
Questions asked and answered
Here are some questions you might have...
For a Frozen Boozy Butterbeer recipe, freeze the cream soda into ice cubes. Add the cream soda ice cubes, butterscotch liqueur, vodka, and vanilla into a blender and blend until slushy. Top with the butterscotch whipped cream and enjoy the chill!
For a non-alcoholic Butterbeer mocktail, replace the butterscotch liqueur and vodka by using the whole can of cream soda and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of rum extract.
Hot Butterbeer is lovely on cold evenings. For one serving, warm ½ cup milk with 1 tablespoon of butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan until the milk is just beginning to steam. Stir in 1 tablespoon of warmed butterscotch sauce, then add ½ can of cream soda (and 2 tablespoons of butterscotch liqueur, for a boozy cocktail). Top with butterscotch whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch sauce. Warms from the inside out!
A magic elixer sure to please
This alcoholic butterbeer recipe is sweet and creamy, with just the right amount of kick from the butterscotch schnapps and the vodka.
Just close your eyes, and you'll think you're in Hogsmeade, too!
This Boozy Butterbeer is perfect to celebrate Harry Potter's birthday at the end of July, Halloween, or just when you want to lose yourself in a good book, movie, audiobook, or podcast.
Magic wand not required!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
Tammy
Related Tasting Notes
Besides, scotch, whiskey, and bourbon, I've occasionally tried other spirits. Here's how I liked them and how I've used them.
Recipe
Harry Potter Boozy Butterbeer Cocktail for Adults
Equipment
- glass or mug
- immersion blender or hand mixer
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream soda, regular or diet
- 2 ounces butterscotch liqueur, aka butterscotch schnapps
- 1 ounce vodka
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream, chilled, see Recipe Notes
- 2 tablespoons butterscotch sauce, or more to taste, see Recipe Notes
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, or to taste
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Measure the butterscotch liqueur and vodka using the large and small sides of a double jigger, respectively.
- Pour the cream soda, butterscotch liqueur, vodka, and vanilla extract into the shaker. Stir with a bar spoon, then strain into a glass or mug.
- Lightly whip the heavy cream until it just starts to thicken. Add in the butterscotch sauce and sugar, then whip until the cream has thickened but is still soft and pourable.
- Spoon the butterscotch whipped cream over the top of the drink, lightly stirring it. Drizzle more butterscotch sauce over the top to garnish.
- Serve and enjoy!
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