“Tell you what,” said Ron, his teeth chattering, “shall we go for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?”
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
Make the authentic alcoholic Butterbeer recipe
Happy October! My favourite month (next to December) is here, and to celebrate, we’re whipping up some butterbeer. In the Harry Potter books, butterbeer is described as being able to make house elves intoxicated, and having only a slight effect on wizards.
So we thought we’d start by making an original recipe from 1594. A digital copy of The good Huswifes Handmaide for the Kitchin can be found here.
Update May 2014: I first made this alcoholic recipe in 2012, but since then, I’ve made it many times over! It comes down to taste preference but I highly recommend using Speckled Hen as your British ale. I also recommend adding half a cup of milk for those who aren’t big beer drinkers, but also for those who are, as the creaminess makes it incredibly delicious. But try a sip without the milk so you know what the ‘real’ taste would be.
Since January 2014 I’ve slowly been creating videos, starting with, no surprise, Butterbeer, showing you the step by step process. I hope you enjoy!
![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/
?url=http://foodinliterature.com/recipes/harry-potter-alcoholic-butterbeer-recipe
&media=http://brytontaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Harry-Potter-alcoholic-butterbeer-Food-in-Literature-600x850.jpg
&description="Tell you what," said Ron, his teeth chattering, "shall we go for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?"
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling)
Harry Potter Alcoholic Butterbeer recipe
Alcoholic beverages Harry Potter J.K. Rowling
October 1, 2012
"Tell you what," said Ron, his teeth chattering, "shall we go for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?"
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
- Yields: 1 Serve
Directions
1Start by pouring the ale into a saucepan. To keep it from 'exciting' (foaming up), angle the saucepan and gently pour the ale down the side into the pan.
2Stir in the 1tsp of spices.
3Gently heat until it comes to a boil, before lowering the heat and simmering for a few minutes.
4In these few minutes, whisk together the yolks and sugar.
5Lower the heat even more and add in the yolks and sugar to the ale.
6Let simmer for 3-5 minutes and remove from heat.
7Stir in the butter until fully mixed in.
8With a hand blender, froth the ale until foam forms. Let sit to cool.
9Using a spoon, hold back the froth as you pour the butterbeer into the beer stein. Leave about an inch of room on the top, spoon on the froth and serve.
Oh I have a non-alcoholic version of Butterbeer on my site, but I’m loving this grown up way!
Hi there! I love love your recipes and ideas- I’m hosting a harry halloween this year, and I was wondering if there were any ideas you had for making a large batch of this? Thank you, take care!
Thanks Abi 🙂 When making a large batch you just need to make sure you’ve calculated the right increase for each ingredient. And a larger saucepan!
I’m wondering if you’ve ever made this for a large group? Did you need to change anything to make more than one serving at a time?
Just calculate the increased amount for each ingredient before starting. Nothing should change in terms of making it, only a larger saucepan!
2 things: Can this recipe be made with hard cider instead of the beer? Also, I thought J.K. Rowling stated that she made up butterbeer? It’s real???
Hi Alaina,
Yes Butterbeer is very real and very old 🙂 Hard cider is made from apple so is completely different and wouldn’t taste the same. Hope that helps!
Your Pinterest post intrigued me. Not sure I can easily find an Old Speckled Hen. Any alternative suggestions? Since my mountains have been covered in snow for months it’s exciting to see a warm beer option. Can’t wait to make one up in the next week or two.
We don’t have access to many types of british ale, would you be able to tell me what we are looking for in flavor profile?
Is it possible to store and serve this recipe in bottles?
Hi Amanda, I find the recipe tends to separate if served cool/stored in the fridge.
I was looking for this for ages because every recipe that I have watched so far included cream soda which I can’t buy where I come from so this made me soo happy! Now I can finally make butterbeer. Thank you!
I’m throwing a Harry Potter party and would love to make this recipe in advance. Any suggestion to keep it warm? I don’t want to ruin it by leaving it out too long or serving it cold. I hope to keep it warm after cooking before it’s completely consumed by guests within the following 1-2 hours.
Do you have a slow cooker with a keep warm function? Something like that would do the trick.