Butterbeer: how to make it

If we ask beer lovers and Harry Potter fans who knows what butterbeer is, then surely the magician’s followers will be more clued in than the beer lovers. There is an obvious reason for that: it is not a commercial variety that you can find on the shelves of your supermarket. The beverage is actually something that J.K. Rowling invented for the stars of her books, who were able to drink it when they managed to get out of Hogwarts and go to The Three Broomsticks.

However, there is some truth behind that beverage. In Tudor England a restorative punch was made using butter, sugar and spices, which was drunk warm. If you would like to feel like a Hogwarts student in the comfort of your home, we have the ultimate guide on how to make some tasty butterbeer for you.

Essential ingredients to make butterbeer

To achieve a taste that will transport us straight to The Three Broomsticks, we should never skimp on the quality of the ingredients. We are not trying to make an excessively sweet beverage, but rather a drink with hints of spice and a creamy texture.

• 1 litre of beer (such as Guinness Draught Stout or  Wainwright Golden Ale).
• 40 g of butter.
• 4 egg yolks.
• 80 g of brown sugar or white sugar (depending on which beer we use).
• 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger.
• 1 teaspoon of powdered nutmeg.
• 6 ground cloves.

Step by step: how to make the perfect butterbeer

The secret to this butterbeer recipe is in controlling the temperature. Let's see how it's done!

1. Warm and infuse. Pour most of the beer into a saucepan (keep around half a glass back). Add the spices, and then warm the mixture on a medium heat. Take the saucepan off the heat just as it starts to boil.
2. Thickening the mixture. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar and then add it all to the saucepan.
3. Boil gently. Place the saucepan on the heat for around 2 minutes. You must keep stirring it and make sure the heat is very low to avoid the egg setting.
4. Emulsify. Add the butter little by little while stirring until it melts and completely blends into the mixture.
5. Serve in glasses or tankards. Beat the remaining half glass of beer that we set aside at the beginning using a whisk to make a thick froth, and then pour it over the top of each glass or tankard. And voilà!

Alcohol-free butterbeer recipe

For the younger ones in the home or people who are not allowed to drink alcohol, there is a very popular alternative so that they can enjoy the experience too: alcohol-free butterbeer! The preparation process is similar, but instead of using beer, we use a vanilla flavoured soft drink or Ginger Ale with a touch of caramel sauce.

The process is identical to the previous one: heat the drink with the spices, add the egg yolks and sugar and then melt in the butter. We will achieve the same creamy texture and the comforting warmth of the original punch, while avoiding the effects of alcohol, but sticking to the traditional recipe.

As you can see, enjoying a “Harry Potter moment” is as simple as going to the supermarket and buying the right ingredients. Furthermore, it is perfect for warming yourself on a cold winter evening. Cheers and magic!