Ranking Butterbeer's at Universal Orlando Resort

If you know anything about Harry Potter, you know about Butterbeer!

It was a butterscotch drink served hot and cold throughout the books and movies at the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade, and now you can enjoy Butterbeer just like Harry and his friends.

Butterbeer is a butterscotch cream soda with a butterscotch cream topping. Sorry, Universal Studios is under a strict agreement to never serve Butterbeer without the cream floater, and it is a dairy-based cream.

Ever since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studio years ago, Butterbeer has been at the top of a lot of fans’ lists. But did you know there are different types of Butterbeer?!

Note: In the books it’s never specifically stated that Butterbeer is alcoholic, but it is heavily implied. ALL BUTTERBEER SOLD IN UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IS NON-ALCOHOLIC!

Which Butterbeer is the best Butterbeer, and which Butterbeer is skippable? It’s a hot topic but we’re laying it all out for you!

Hot Butterbeer

Yes! Yes! Yes! Hot Butterbeer is the superior Butterbeer! It’s hot (obviously), creamy, almost a little salty, caramelish, butterscotch, and just… Oh man. It’s straight up magic. Magic in a cup. I don’t care if it’s 100 degrees outside, I will find a place to enjoy some hot butterbeer.

PRO-TIP: Knockturn Alley is quite a bit cooler than the rest of Universal Studios since it’s supposed to be in the seedy, rainy alley for wizards of the dark arts variety.

Classic Butterbeer

Classic Butterbeer is nostalgic to the life that you never lived yourself, but lived through words. There is just something so exciting about finally trying it for yourself! That butterscotch cream is where it’s at.

Frozen Butterbeer

You will be hard-pressed to find Frozen Butterbeer in the stories, but let me tell you, it’s hot in Florida! Really freaking hot! This is the sweetest of all the Butterbeer options! Imagine if butterscotch, a slushie, and a cupcake all came together for a magical treat. Boom!

Butterbeer Ice Cream

Did you know that ice cream is one of Harry Potter’s favorite desserts? In The Prisoner of Azkaban he lived at the Leaky Cauldron for 3 weeks before school, and for 3 weeks he visited Florean Fortescue’s and got himself a strawberry and peanut butter ice cream sundae. You can live out your Harry Potter dreams and try his favorite sundae, but you can also try Butterbeer soft serve style custard.

The ice cream is very creamy and light. This has the lightest butterscotch flavor of all of the Butterbeer options.

Butterbeer Pot de Creme

Now, this is where the wheels start falling off the track… A Pot de Creme is a thick pudding inside of a glass dish. We don’t want to throw shade on the Pot de Creme at the Three Broomsticks or the Leaky Cauldron, it’s just that something this thick and heavy would be better if it were chocolate. The butterscotch flavor just doesn’t really work.

SKIP IT!

Butterbeer Fudge

Oh no. No. Fudge? Yes. Butterbeer fudge? No. You know that beautiful goat’s milk soap that you see at the local craft fairs? Butterbeer fudge tastes like what we would imagine that soap to taste like. It’s a weird texture. It’s a weird artificial plastic-y flavor. No, no, no.

Looking for something out of the bakery case at Sugarplum’s or Honeydukes? Stick with a classic pumpkin pastie. Just say no to Butterbeer fudge.

SKIP IT!

Make Butterbeer at Home!

You can make Butterbeer at home! Is there a better way to have a Harry Potter marathon? Check out this Butterbeer recipe so easy that a first year could make it!

Recipe

Butterbeer                                                     For Topping
¼ tsp caramel extract                                     1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ tsp butter extract                                         ½ cup butterscotch topping
12 oz glass of cream soda                             ¼ cup powdered sugar

Mix your Butterbeer ingredients and set aside. Now for the cream topping… Let the magic begin! Accio your hand mixer. Mix the heavy cream with the muggle mixer until stiff peaks occur. Next add the butterscotch topping and the powdered sugar. Spoon topping on top of your Butterbeer!

Alcohol!

Are you looking for a more authentic experience and are over 21 looking to have a fun Harry Potter evening! Read on…

Take the recipe from above and add in caramel vodka, buttershots schnapps, and fireball whiskey. We like to make ours fancy and also do a caramel drizzle in the cup.

Cheers!

Comments, Questions, be sure to leave them in the Comment Section Below!

Links to Associated Wizarding World Content:

This Universal Orlando Guide Post By: Erin Schreiver

Erin loves going to Universal with her family and all things Harry Potter! Check out her bio.

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