By Abigail Hummel

Sophomore, Biology major

It’s that time of year again, folks: October.  Halloween.  Sweater weather.  Pumpkin spice lattes.  But the best part of October is not the cooling temperatures or the colorful leaves strewn across the Plaza of the Americas.  The best part of October is flexing your culinary creativity.

Fall flavors are uniquely warm, aromatic, and comforting…and there’s nothing more comforting than a sweet treat inspired by a childhood icon.  So on that note, let’s make Butterbeer!

butterbeer picture 2

Whether you’re throwing a Harry Potter-themed party or just looking for a warm beverage to curl up with on a cool autumn night, follow these simple recipes to whip up your own batch of this fandom favorite.

First, pick your poison: hot or cold?

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry’s first taste of Butterbeer “seemed to heat every bit of him from the inside,” while Universal Studio’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter prefers the cold version, serving up this bubbly butterscotch beverage either chilled or frozen.

For hot Butterbeer, you will need:

  • 1 liter cream soda
  • 3 tbsp. butter
  • 3 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Butterscotch sauce
  • Whipped cream
  1. In a large saucepan, bring the cream soda to a full boil.  While the soda is heating up, melt the butter and brown sugar together in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  2. Once the soda is boiling vigorously, add the butter and brown sugar mixture and the heavy cream and stir.  Add butterscotch sauce to taste and stir until completely dissolved.
  3. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of butterscotch sauce.

“It’s exactly what I expected Butterbeer to taste like when I was reading the books,” said Rhina Lara, freshman English and chemistry double major.  “While the cold Butterbeer was refreshing, the hot made for a better experience. The hot Butterbeer has the same magical effect of hot chocolate after a freezing day, but sweeter.”

For cold Butterbeer, you will need:

  • 1 liter cream soda
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Butterscotch sauce
  1. Chill the cream soda.  While you wait, beat the heavy cream until light and frothy.  Don’t overbeat it or you’ll end up with whipped cream!
  2. Add the butterscotch to taste.  You’ll want a definitive butterscotch flavor without completely overpowering the cream.
  3. Pour the chilled soda into glasses or mugs, and spoon the butterscotch-cream mixture on top.  I prefer to mix a few spoonfuls into the soda before topping it off.

BONUS: If you prefer the frozen version of cold Butterbeer, freeze the cream soda to a slushy consistency before adding the foam topping.

“It was sweeter than I expected, but it was a pleasant surprise,” said Laniel Romeus, freshman psychology major.  “I liked the cold version better.  Sweet drinks are better cold.”

Voilà!  You have a tasty carbonated beverage to sip on while you dance around your dorm decorating for Halloween.  Now cozy up with your creamy concoction and your favorite Harry Potter film, and enjoy the flavors of fall.