How to Make Butterbeer and Other Harry Potter Recipes

We’ve got some of the best recipes inspired by Harry Potter that you can make from the comfort of your Muggle kitchen. 

Looking for ways to make your next Harry Potter movie marathon even better? Enjoy some of the best treats Hogwarts has to offer with these simple recipes perfect for the entire family, including how to make butterbeer. Potterheads of all ages will be able to get involved in the kitchen. And you won’t believe how quickly these scrumptious snacks disappear—it’s almost like magic!

Once your done cooking, why not plan another Harry Potter adventure with your children. Check out our article on Harry Potter crafts for kids and the whole family. Or, if you’re looking for an activity that’s a little quieter, check out our Harry Potter reading level guide. We’ve even written about other books like Harry Potter that we’re sure your family will love.

Now, let’s get started!

How to Make Butterbeer 🍺

The closest a Muggle can get to drinking “authentic” Butterbeer is probably by enjoying the magical concoction at Universal Studios Harry Potter World. But if you don’t want to make the trip, this recipe is the next best thing! 

This infamous drink is very quick to whip up, and you won’t even need your wand! Gather these ingredients before you begin:

Ingredients

• 2 liter of cream soda, chilled
• 1 tsp of butterscotch syrup (can be purchased in most grocery stores or on Amazon)
• Butterscotch sundae topping sauce and/or caramel sundae topping sauce (personal preference)
• Pre-made whipped topping, such as Reddi-Whip or Cool Whip (or make your own using heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar)

Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, combine the chilled cream soda with the butterscotch syrup. Stir to combine. 
2. In a small mixing bowl, gently fold the whipped cream with the butterscotch or caramel sundae topping. 
3. Pour the cream soda mixture into chilled glasses and top with whipped cream.
4. Enjoy!

Cookbooks Straight from Hogwarts’ Library 📚

Whether you are cooking for a crowd or you just want a huge variety of recipes to choose from, it’s time to hit the books. These cookbooks are full of faithful recreations of original Wizarding World treats, with clear instructions and ingredient lists. Head to your kitchen and start brewing up some potions of your own!

Cooking Together as a Family 🍳

Many kids actually enjoy being able to participate in baking and cooking, so adding in the Harry Potter theme makes the prospect of creating fresh Butterbeer or Cauldron Cakes even more exciting! 

But there are still a few things you can do to make sure that your fun family cooking time doesn’t turn into a messy, stressful chore. Planning ahead with age-appropriate activities, learning how to motivate your kids to participate, and gathering the proper tools will practically guarantee your success as you turn your kitchen into Honeyduke’s!

Age-Appropriate Activities

You’ll likely find that doing family activities goes much smoother when you have planned ahead. Part of this planning process involves determining which activities are best suited for your children, as well as identifying any prep work that you might need to do beforehand to eliminate stress and mess. 

Here’s a very basic guide of cooking-related tasks that your kids should be able to handle, by age. Just remember that every child is unique, so if your kids can’t handle the tasks in their age group, or if they are ahead of their age, that’s totally fine! Figure out what works best for your family.

Toddlers (ages 2-4): stirring dry ingredients, decorating (creatively!) with sprinkles and frosting, measuring out and pouring ingredients (with help)

School-age children (ages 5-7): rolling and cutting dough (cookie cutters), mixing ingredients, greasing pans, basic chopping with plastic knives

Middle schoolers (ages 8-11): introduction to using the stovetop, turning the oven on/off, following simple recipes independently (with adult supervision)
Young teens (ages 12-14): following more complex recipes with little adult involvement

Motivating the Kids to Participate

Often, children are more receptive to creative projects when they have an idea of what the finished product will be like. The following tips will help engage your children and maximize your family fun:

• Allow them to participate in looking through the cookbook, picking the recipe, shopping for the ingredients, and then baking with you
• Prepare by gathering and measuring out ingredients ahead of time
• Provide clear expectations of what you will be making first, summarize the steps, and work together to handle the recipe
• Clean up as you go, so you can head to the couch for a movie marathon as soon as your goodies are done cooking!

Tools of the Trade

Are you pretty new to cooking and baking, or trying to get your kiddos stocked up with some basic supplies? You’ll definitely need some of these items (though you won’t have to go all the way to Diagon Alley to find them!):

• Measuring cups 
• Measuring spoons
• Rolling pin
• Whisk
• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Wooden spoons (these Harry Potter ones are super cool!)
• Baking trays
• Silicone baking sheet
• Silicone spatula
• Dough blender

Other Magical Recipes 🧑‍🍳

Now lug your trunk full of supplies onto the Hogwarts Express, and let’s head to the kitchen!

Easy Peasy Recipes for First Year

Polyjuice Potion 

(Recipe and photos found here)

Ingredients

• 2 quarts water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 liter ginger ale
• 1 quart lime sherbet 
• 2 envelopes lemon-lime soft drink mix
• 1 can unsweetened pineapple juice

Instructions

1. In a large punch bowl, combine water, sugar, and lemon-lime packets until dissolved. 
2. Stir in pineapple juice.  
3. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale and top with scoops of sherbet. 
5. Enjoy!

Delightful Recipes for Older O.W.L. Students

Chocolate Frogs (with a surprise!)

(For additional details about this recipe and the tools used, visit our how to make Harry Potter Chocolate Frog article)

Ingredients

• 1 package of melting chocolate
• 1 cup peanut butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup confectioner’s sugar 
• Chocolate frog molds

Instructions

1. In the microwave, melt the chocolate for 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals. 
2. Once melted, use a spoon or pastry brush to coat the mold with chocolate. Put the mold in the freezer to chill for 5 minutes.
3. In a bowl, combine the peanut butter, sugar, and salt. 
4. Remove the mold from the freezer and place a quarter-sized ball of peanut butter in the center of each mold. 
5. Re-heat the remaining chocolate and pour over the peanut butter to finish filling each mold.
6. Freeze the completed frogs for 5 more minutes.
7. Remove from mold and enjoy before they hop away!

Advanced Recipes for N.E.W.T. Students

Exploding Bon-Bons

(Recipe and photos found here)

Ingredients

• 1 package of Oreos
• 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
• 1 bag melting chocolate
• 6 packets of Pop Rocks candy
• Wax paper
• Gallon-size plastic storage bag

Instructions

1. Dump entire package of Oreos into gallon size plastic bag. Seal and crush Oreos to make small crumbs. 
2. Pour the Oreo crumbs into a bowl and combine with the cream cheese, mixing until completely incorporated.
3. Roll the mixture into small, 1” round balls, then roll the balls in the Pop Rocks to gently coat them. 
4. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals. 
5. Dip the Pop-Rocks coated balls into the chocolate, making sure they are completely covered.
6. Place the dipped bonbons on the wax paper and sprinkle with additional Pop Rocks to garnish. Serve and enjoy!