Butterbeer Guide: Sip Harry Potter’s Favorite Drink at Universal Orlando
Butterbeer is the iconic drink of choice for parkgoers flocking to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando.
With just one sip, this rich, creamy beverage immerses witches, wizards, and muggles alike in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Butterbeer is a sweet, non-alcoholic, allergy-friendly drink that tastes like butterscotch and shortbread. It is served frosty, frozen, or hot at several locations across Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, including the Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron. Guests looking for a decadent treat can also find Butterbeer-flavored desserts at select eateries throughout the parks.
The following guide discusses the ingredients of Butterbeer, the different ways to enjoy it, and where to find it at Universal Orlando.
What Is Butterbeer?
Butterbeer is a sweet, non-alcoholic beverage infused with the flavors of butterscotch and shortbread.
Universal Orlando created Butterbeer based on the popular drink from the Harry Potter book series – when visitors order a glass, they’re transported into a world full of magic and mystery.
At restaurants and other establishments throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, bartenders pour this rich, caramel-colored liquid into a cup and top it off with a thick, white layer of sweet cream.
Fans can purchase a plastic souvenir tankard for their Butterbeer and use it for water or drink refills at other locations within the parks.
Butterbeer refills are always full price; however, Universal guests receive discounted refills of non-alcoholic beverages, such as sodas, lemonade, and tea, when they use their souvenir tankard.
What Is Butterbeer Made Of?
Universal Orlando has not released its Butterbeer recipe nor revealed the nutritional information in each serving.
For some people, ignorance is bliss, but for many others, this information is important and necessary.
Rumor has it that a Universal parkgoer smuggled a sample of Butterbeer out of the park and sent it out for testing.
They reported a 14-ounce serving of Butterbeer could contain 200 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 42 grams of carbohydrates, and 29 grams of sugar.
While the source of this information can’t be verified, it’s safe to say that Butterbeer is definitely a sweet treat.
Is Butterbeer Allergy-Friendly?
People with food intolerances and allergies often have difficulty dining out and sometimes miss out on fun food items at theme parks.
Fortunately, Butterbeer is an allergy-friendly beverage, allowing parkgoers with sensitivities to peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, soy protein, egg, and wheat to enjoy it.
That said, Butterbeer typically comes with a cream topping with trace amounts of dairy, so vegans and visitors with dairy sensitivity should order their mug without it.
Guests with special dietary requirements or any questions about menu items should email Guest Services at [email protected] before arriving at the parks to confirm which dining establishments can accommodate their needs.
What Are the Types of Butterbeer?
Universal Orlando has served cold Butterbeer since they opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010.
They eventually expanded their menu to include hot Butterbeer, served during the winter, and frozen Butterbeer, served in the summer.
All three types of Butterbeer became extremely popular and are now available all year round.
Butterbeer-Flavored Foods
In addition to beverages, Butterbeer-flavored foods give visitors another way to enjoy the unique flavors of the wizarding world.
Universal Orlando offers three great desserts deliciously infused with the iconic Butterbeer taste: Butterbeer Potted Cream, Butterbeer Ice Cream, and Butterbeer Fudge.
Butterbeer Potted Cream is an allergy-friendly dessert with the consistency of a light, airy pudding.
This magical dessert is safe for those with gluten, egg, peanut, tree nut, soy protein, and sesame allergies; however, vegan guests or parkgoers with dairy allergies should speak to the Manager or Chef’s Assistant to confirm ingredients before ordering.
Butterbeer Ice Cream is the perfect treat any time of year but can be especially delightful on a hot summer’s day.
Visitors with sensitivities to gluten, egg, peanut, tree nut, soy protein, and sesame can enjoy Butterbeer Ice Cream; however, it cannot be served vegan or dairy-free.
Butterbeer Fudge is a perfectly sweetened snack that tastes exactly like liquid Butterbeer.
This double-decker fudge has a thick caramel-colored base and a thin cream-colored layer on top – just like the drink.
Guests who love this bespoke combination of shortbread and butterscotch can take home as much fudge as they can carry and relive the magic of Harry Potter long after their vacation ends.
Where Is Butterbeer Sold?
Butterbeer is so good that everyone wishes it was available outside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Alas, despite numerous attempts at copycat recipes, authentic Butterbeer beverages and desserts can only be found at the restaurants, vendors, and food carts exclusive to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando.
Where to Find Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley (Universal Studios Florida)
The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley is not only an infamous spot in the Harry Potter novels, its Universal Studios Florida location serves up cold, frozen, and hot Butterbeer, Butterbeer Potted Cream, and Butterbeer Ice Cream (among other classic menu items).
At the Hopping Pot walk-up beverage counter, guests can order Butterbeer Ice Cream, cold, frozen, or hot Butterbeer, and other popular drinks from the Potterverse.
Butterbeer Ice Cream is a staple at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour and the Fountain of Fair Fortune.
The Fountain of Fair also serves cold and frozen Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, and other tasty beverages.
Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop is the only place in Diagon Alley that sells Butterbeer Fudge, which visitors can purchase in a convenient package to take home or eat immediately.
Where to Find Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade (Universal’s Islands of Adventure)
At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the Three Broomsticks delivers cold, frozen, or hot Butterbeer to wash down classic British dishes.
For dessert, diners at the Three Broomsticks can indulge in Butterbeer Potted Cream and/or Butterbeer Ice Cream.
Guests just needing refreshments can head to the Hog’s Head Pub or a Butterbeer street cart for a cold or frozen mug of Butterbeer goodness.
The wizarding candy shop, Honeydukes, is the home of specialty sweets described in the Harry Potter novels and is the only place in Hogsmeade selling Butterbeer fudge.
Conclusion
Every Harry Potter fan knows about Butterbeer, the rich, creamy drink every student at Hogwarts loves to drink.
The combination of butterscotch and shortbread flavors served either hot, cold, or frozen, is like nothing else in the world and can only be found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.
Butterbeer is allergy-friendly, and guests with many food allergies and intolerances can enjoy some variation of the beverage, providing they confirm ingredients with a Universal Team Member prior to ordering.
Several locations throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure offer Butterbeer beverages and Butterbeer-flavored desserts that visitors can enjoy all year.
For the widest selection of Butterbeer and Butterbeer-infused delicacies, guests should check out the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
