Magical Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe without Cream Soda or Dairy

Have you ever watched a Harry Potter film and thought, “I really want a butterbeer”? The good news is that you can make your own dairy-free butterbeer home.

My recipe for a vegan version of the Wizarding World famous drink is made with coconut milk and brown sugar, or coconut sugar for a no refined sugar option.

Watching the Harry Potter series movies will make you crave something sweet. From treacle tart to chocolate frogs, author J.K. Rowling was on point with her descriptions of traditional English sweets.

However, one of the most popular items at any wizarding event is butterbeer, a drink that can be hard to come by for vegans or those with dairy allergies.

Do you love Harry Potter as much as I do?

Cheryl and I are huge Harry Potter fans and love going to the universal parks or having a Harry Potter movie marathon.

And the best part of watching at home is that I can make DIY butterbeer with homemade butterscotch topping in your own kitchen.

Are you vegan or have a dairy allergy, but still want to enjoy butterbeer like they serve in the Three Broomsticks or Diagon Alley?

I have the recipe for you! This sweet and creamy beverage is so easy to make at home. It’s also more like the real thing since it doesn’t just use cream soda 👎

Don’t worry you don’t have to be an actual wizard to make this – it’s a muggle-friendly recipe!

One of the best things about making your own homemade vegan butterbeer syrup is that you can then create a hot, iced, or frozen butterbeer at home. And I’m going to tell you how to make all 3!

What is butterbeer?

It’s a sweet drink that’s straight from the pages of the Harry Potter books. It’s full of butterscotch flavor and in some non-vegan recipes, heavy cream and butter extract too.

My simple recipe is 100% vegan though and you could use vegan heavy whipping cream in place of the coconut milk if you wanted to. I think my syrup is the best butterbeer recipe.

What does butterbeer taste like?

Butterbeer is a sweet drink that tastes like a buttery version of a vanilla drink topped with thick foam, like a latte or cold foam on top. Similar to a buttery version of cream soda.

The butterbeer recipe comes in a frozen version or regular topped with a tasty sweet foam all year long at the Wizarding World, but in the winter they have a hot version as well.

My version and Universal Studios contain no alcohol and are gluten-free. But only mine is dairy-free because they add a milk derivative to the foam and will not serve it without it.

What are butterbeer’s six different forms at Harry Potter World?

First off, I have to break the news to you that neither this popular drink at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter nor their flavored butterbeer desserts are vegan or dairy-free.

It can be found in many different forms, including cold, frozen, and hot versions – but to have a vegan version you need to make this recipe.

1. Frozen Butterbeer is kind of like an ice slushy with a foam topping
2. Cold Butterbeer is more like a vanilla soda with a foam topping
3. Hot Butterbeer – served only in the winter and similar to a hot butterscotch
4. Butterbeer Soft Serve Ice Cream – they swirl the flavor in
5. Butterbeer Potted Cream – a thick pudding
6. Butterbeer Fudge – well, fudge that tastes like our favorite drink

The most popular form is the Butterbeer Soft Serve Ice Cream and if you make my frozen version it will be like a butterbeer and a milkshake had a magical baby!

Is Butterbeer in Orlando alcoholic?

No, it is not, but you can get some fire whiskey and a few specialty beers that are only sold in the Wizarding World area.

How can I make an alcoholic version of butterbeer?

If you are a grown-up or having an adult Harry Potter party you may want to have a butterbeer cocktail as well as the kid-friendly version.

The first way I learned to make butterbeer was to add some vegan butterscotch schnapps to cream soda and top it with some vegan whipped cream.

You could use vanilla vodka, or a dark rum, and butterscotch schnapps, this butterbeer syrup, or my slightly healthier vegan butterscotch sauce with a splash of plant-based creamer.

Use either butterscotch syrup or this Harry Potter butterbeer syrup in your cocktail. Add some vanilla syrup to a vegan caramel vodka to make an alcoholic butterbeer if you want to skip the cup of cream soda.

Harry Potter homemade butterbeer recipe ingredients

If you want to make the traditional version please know that it does contain fat and oil, but this is a treat and not a staple you’ll have around all the time.

It’s perfect for Halloween, birthday parties, or to sip on while you are re-reading your favorite books, like the Harry Potter book series or Fantastic Beasts.

For the syrup, you’ll need some vegan butter and I recommend Miyoko’s, but any brand will do. You will need a can of full-fat coconut milk, brown sugar or coconut sugar, a splash of pure vanilla extract, and a little bit of salt.

To make the drinks you’ll need your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk, if you want to make the foam you’ll need an Aer Vitamix container or a frother of some kind.

Can I make an oil-free version of butterbeer syrup with no refined sugar?

You can soak and puree 1 cup of dates with enough unsweetened non-dairy milk to get them to blend to a past, or use the soaking liquid instead, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Use this paste to make all the drinks listed in this post.

It’s not an exact match to the taste, but it’s pretty wonderful and a whole food plant-based approved version!

How to make butterbeer syrup

Melt butter in a large saucepan, add the coconut milk, and stir until the coconut fat is melted, add the brown sugar.

Then cook until reduced to a thick syrup and add vanilla.

How do I store vegan butterbeer syrup?

Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How can I make a vegan foamed topping?

You can get a milk frother that you add the milk to and it heats it, a handheld frother, or a Vitamix Aer Disc pitcher.

Just follow the directions and recommendations on the device you choose to use. But in a pinch, you can shake it up in a sealed mason jar, remove the lid, and stick the jar into the microwave to make it set up a little. It’s not perfect, but better than nothing.

I got my Aer last year and use it for cold foam, to top latte, and you can make a fresh cocktail or mocktail mixer with it too.

What vegan milk foams best?

The barista blends do the best and they usually have some added oil. But you can get some volume from oat and soy milk too – the foam with just be very loose. and not as much like latte foam

My favorite is the Califia Oat Barista blend.

How do I make a traditional cold butterbeer?

To make it just like Universal, add a tablespoon or 2 of the syrup to plain or vanilla sparkling water. Top with vegan whipped cream or foamed non-dairy milk.

How do I make a hot butterbeer?

Add a tablespoon or 2 of the syrup to heated unsweetened non-dairy milk – plain or vanilla, then top with vegan whipped cream or foamed non-dairy milk.

How do I make a frozen butterbeer?

Add 1/2 cup rolled oats and 2 cups water – or 2 cups nondairy milk – to your blender with syrup to taste. Blend well, then add either 2 teaspoons finely ground chia seeds or 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum and blend again.

More Harry Potter party recipe ideas:

Pumpkin juice is vegan at Universal, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make this refined sugar-free version at home. It’s like a spiced apple cider with pureed apricots and pumpkin.

Make cockroach clusters or set up a station for the kids to make their own. Melt vegan 1 cup chocolate chips in your slow cooker on warm with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Stuff whole dates with peanuts or pretzels and dip into the chocolate with a spoon. Set on parchment paper to dry. Then crunch!!

Get even more spooky vegan Halloween recipes on the blog

Magical Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe: Vegan without Cream Soda or Dairy

Kathy Hester

If you’ve been to Universal Studios as a vegan you were probably disappointed that the butterbeer topping has dairy in it. So if you have a dairy allergy or are vegan like me it means you don’t get to have it. But that’s ok – we’ll make our own! You can make a hot butterbeer by mixing syrup with warm non-dairy milk, a cold soda by adding to club soda, or make a frozen version by adding to your favorite vanilla shake.

5 from 16 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Drinks and Syrups

Cuisine American

Servings 32 tablespoons

Calories 58 kcal

Equipment

• milk frother
• Vitamix Aer Pitcher

Ingredients

  

1x1.5x2x3x

• 2 tablespoon vegan butter optional
• 1 15 ounce can full fat coconut milk
• 2 cups brown sugar or substitute coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt optional

Instructions

 

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat if using. Add the coconut milk and stir until the coconut fat is melted, then add the brown sugar and stir until melted.
• Then turn up the heat to medium-high, still stirring, until it starts to bubble. Then turn heat back to medium and cook, keep stirring, and cook until the mixture is reduced but not as thick as a carmel.
• Stir in the vanilla and salt if using. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Video

Notes

Whole food plant based note: You can actually make something similar by stirring in 1 teaspoon vanilla to 1 cup date syrup. It’s not exactly the same, but will give you a healthier treat that fits into a stricter eating plan.

Nutrition

Calories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 19mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 33IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg

Keyword butterbeer, butterbeer syrup, Harry Potter recipes, homemade butterbeer, vegan butterbeer

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!