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My easy hot Harry Potter Butterbeer recipe is perfect for cozy movie nights at home or any time you want to make some magical wizarding moments at home. With brown sugar, butter, butterscotch, and just a hint of spice, this magical drink tastes nearly the same as the Butterbeer at Universal Studios.
Why You’ll Love This Harry Potter Butterbeer
- Uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients for a quick homemade Butterbeer beverage
- Cozy and comforting, perfect for Harry Potter movie nights and themed parties
- Family-friendly fan-favorite drink, with optional alcohol upgrades for adults
- Warm, subtle spices from ginger and cayenne enhance the classic flavor
- Customizable with dairy-free options and delicious toppings to suit every taste
Ingredients Notes
- Whole milk — or use oat, almond, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option (coconut milk makes it extra creamy)
- Unsalted butter — swap with vegan butter or coconut oil for a non-dairy alternative
- Brown sugar — can be replaced with light coconut sugar for a less refined sweetness
- Cream soda — or try root beer, sparkling apple cider, or vanilla cream soda for a fun twist
- Butterscotch instant pudding mix — no-cook variety works best for smooth blending
- Vanilla extract — pure or imitation both work well
- Ginger paste — or substitute with freshly grated ginger
- Cayenne pepper — optional, for a hint of warmth; adjust to taste
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make the Hot Butterbeer Recipe Harry Potter Fans Love
- Combine base ingredients: In a large microwave-safe bowl, mix the milk, butter, and brown sugar.
- Heat and whisk: Microwave for 3 minutes, whisking every minute, until the butter is melted and the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add cream soda (in stages): Whisk in half of the cream soda to cool the mixture slightly.
- Mix in pudding: Stir in the butterscotch pudding mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Add flavor: Whisk in the vanilla extract, ginger paste, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Finish with more soda: Pour in the remaining cream soda and give it a final stir.
- Keep warm and serve: Keep warm in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in a crockpot (start on high, then reduce to low; stir occasionally).
- Optional: Serve this hot butterbeer recipe Harry Potter style, topped with whipped cream and drizzle with butterscotch or caramel sauce for extra magic.
Can I make a frozen version?
Absolutely! Try our Frozen Butterbeer recipe for a cool, refreshing twist on the classic. This frozen take might just become your new favorite way to enjoy Butterbeer!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Adjust ginger and cayenne to taste, up to ½ teaspoon each for a spicier, warming flavor
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream or coconut whipped cream and drizzle with butterscotch syrup or caramel sauce for a creamy, frothy finish
- Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg on top for extra cozy, fall-inspired flavor
- Swap cream soda with vanilla soda or sparkling apple cider for a fun flavor twist
- Pair with Harry Potter-themed treats like Chocolate Frogs or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans for a magical treat spread
Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store: Keep leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Freeze: Not recommended; carbonation and dairy don’t freeze or thaw well.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the base (everything except cream soda) a day ahead, store in the fridge, and add cream soda just before serving.
More Harry Potter-Inspired Recipes
Craving more magical treats with that rich butterscotch flavor? Try these fan-favorite Butterbeer-inspired creations:
- Butterbeer Ice Cream – Creamy, dreamy, and perfect for summer
- Frozen Butterbeer – A chilled version of the classic drink
- Butterbeer Fudge – Sweet, buttery bites of magic
- Butterbeer Jell-O Shots – A fun party twist for adult witches and wizards
- Alcoholic Butterbeer – A boozy version for grown-up fans
If you tried this Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Harry Potter’s Hot Butterbeer
Serves — 4
Warm, buttery Harry Potter Butterbeer made with cream soda, brown sugar, and rich butterscotch flavor. A magical drink you can make in minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter room temp
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 2-liter cream soda
- 1 3.4 ounce box Butterscotch Instant Pudding
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp ginger paste
- ¼ tsp cayenne
Instructions
- Combine milk, butter, and brown sugar in a large microwavable bowl.3 cups whole milk, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar
- Whisk to combine.
- Heat in microwave for 3 minutes.
- Whisk together until the butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
- Whisk in 1/2 bottle of the cream soda.1 2-liter cream soda
- Add in the butterscotch instant pudding mix.1 3.4 ounce box Butterscotch Instant Pudding
- Add the vanilla, ginger, and cayenne.1 tbsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp ginger paste, 1/4 tsp cayenne
- Whisk well to combine.
- Pour in the rest of the bottle of the cream soda.
- Either heat in the microwave, on stovetop or pour into a crockpot to keep it at a consistent temperature.
- (We set the crockpot on high then gradually lowered it to keep the butterbeer warm. You will want to stir it occasionally)
- (Optional) Add whipped cream to the top of each cup of butterbeer and drizzle butterscotch sauce on top of the whipped cream.
Jenn’s Notes
Tips & Variations
- If it is too thick add 1 cup of whole milk. Stir to incorporate.
- The ginger and cayenne give a gentle warmth—keep them mild or increase to ½ teaspoon each for more kick.
- Top with whipped cream or coconut whipped cream and drizzle with butterscotch or caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg for extra cozy spice.
- Pair with Harry Potter-themed treats like Chocolate Frogs or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.
Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store: Keep leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Freeze: Not recommended, as carbonation and dairy won’t freeze or thaw smoothly.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the base (everything except cream soda) a day in advance, store it in the fridge, and add cream soda when ready to serve.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 259mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Can this recipe be prepared the day before and reheated?
I wouldn’t recommend making it and reheating.
Why was this so so spicy??? I’m from New York. We eat hot things. The cayenne ruined it. Was I the only person who thought this was terrible with the cayenne?
This is amaaaaaazziiinnngg! I haven’t had the opportunity to try hot butterbeer, but I’ve always wanted to! So I can’t say how this recipe compares to the stuff at Harry Potter World, but it’s fabulous to me!
It’s a bit sweet (of course), so next time I may leave out the brown sugar and see how it is, and then add some if needed. If I used diet cream soda I think it would taste funky (I’ve tried making cold butterbeer with it…meh).
I halved the recipe, then subtracted 25% because my bottle of cream soda was 3/4 of a Liter (glad I checked!). I didn’t have any whole milk, so I used mostly 2% with some heavy cream. Even though I wasn’t sure how much ground ginger to use by that point, or how much cayenne, I just kind of kept dashing both until I got the flavor I liked. Yum! I can’t wait to make it again!
I was surprised at how good this was! Served it with canned whipped topping, but the foam on top would have been just fine. Heated it in an instant pot on slow cooker function. Exceedingly sweet, but we served it in tiny 1oz beer steins as a Halloween treat, so it was fine. The foam lasted a long time. Oh, skipped the cayenne due to serving it to kids.
So glad you enjoyed it!