Bourbon Butterbeer – Alcoholic Butterbeer Recipe

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Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by The Noms

We love some Harry Potter, and this alcoholic butterbeer recipe is an homage to the books (or the movies) whichever!

As Halloween quickly approaches, its time for a little fun with spooky or magic inspired cocktails. One source of inspiration for us has been the Harry Potter books. With our oldest boy discovering the world of Harry Potter via us reading the books aloud to him, he has taken us back to the wonderful magical world of Hogwarts.

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Butterbeer

We recently read the chapter about the young wizards and witches’ trip to Hogsmeade, where they partake in Butterbeer. Butterbeer has captured the imagination of lots of readers (us included) so we wanted to make a a cocktail that would pay homage to this famous wizard beverage, so we came up with our Bourbon Butterbeer.

What is Butterbeer?

We have seen lots of different versions of Butterbeer, from ones that use marshmallow fluff, to ones that are made from 3 different sodas and served piping hot! But, we hadn’t seen one that would be a cool bubbly cocktail. In the books,

Butterbeer is described as tasting kind of like a less sweet butterscotch, so we wanted to start out with something that would bring some of those caramel flavors to the cocktail. In any event. we went with a nice sweet bourbon which brings a warm hint of vanilla, caramel and baking spices. This alcoholic butterbeer recipe is light, but perfect for fall as well!

How to Make Butterbeer?

We wanted to capture some butterscotch flavor as well, but a traditional butterscotch sauce is awfully thick. This wouldn’t really work in a cold cocktail, as it tends to get really thick. Wanting a smooth drinking cocktail, we came up with a delicious buttered brown sugar syrup.

The buttered brown sugar syrup brings a rich deep sweetness, and a beautiful caramel color, plus a hint of buttery flavor. The hint of butter adds another dimension of flavor to the syrup, making this more than just a sweet addition.

What ingredients to Use in Butterbeer?

Wanting a little bit of a fall flavor, we grabbed one of the quintessential fall ingredients, apple cider. Apple cider pairs really well with bourbon and caramel (and is one we have used successfully in other drinks,) This combination really worked right out of the box.

The apple cider adds a tart freshness and brings an earthy depth to the Bourbon Butterbeer. A splash of spicy ginger beer brings a bit of bubbles and gives the cocktail a crisp snappy finish.

What would Harry Potter Think?

No magical inspired cocktail would be complete with out a little showmanship! We dropped in a couple of pea sized chunks of dry ice which quickly chills down the drink while causing it to bubble and smoke.

The resulting fog and bubbles definitely feels like something that a wizard would dream up, and the dry ice imparts just a hint of bitterness to the Bourbon Butterbeer. This helps keep this version of Butterbeer balanced and refreshing.

Once the bubbling stops, blow off the fog and sip away, and see if this alcoholic Butterbeer recipe takes you to a magical place! Maybe if you are reading Harry Potter while drinking it! Check this cocktail out, as well as other Halloween ones here!

Make sure to pair it with our Halloween Charcuterie!

Cheers!

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #gastronomcocktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Polyjuice Potion Cocktail

Halloween Oreo Monster Brownies

Other Halloween Cocktails

• Zombie Blood Bags
• Ghost Graveyard Cocktail – Creative Culinary
• Hocus Pocus Drink
• Halloween Pumpkin Cocktail
• Black Widow Cocktail – Giraffes Can Bake
• Polyjuice Cocktail – Homemade Hooplah
• Hocus Pocus Cocktail

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

Bourbon Butterbeer - A Harry Potter Whiskey Cocktail

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

An adult version of the Harry Potter movies favorite drink, this cocktail is perfect for any evening.

Print

Ingredients

Buttered Brown Sugar Syrup

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon butter extract

Bourbon Butterbeer

• 1.50 ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce buttered brown sugar simple syrup
• 4 ounces apple cider
• 2 ounces ginger beer
• Ice or dry ice (if dry ice a very very small chunk, the size of a pea)

Instructions

For the Bourbon Butterbeer

Combine all ingredients and stir in glass. Serve with dry ice for effect (optional).

For the Buttered Brown Sugar Syrup

Combine water and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. When cool, add the butter extract.

Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Note on Dry Ice: Don't let the ice cubes touch your mouth or skin, and don't drink them. Wait until they melt (the bubbling stops), before drinking your cocktail.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Hiware LZS13B 12 Inches Stainless Steel Mixing Spoon, Spiral Pattern Bar Cocktail Shaker Spoon
• 
  Watkins Butter Extract with Other Natural Flavors, 11 oz. Bottle, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)
• 
  Luigi Bormioli 10195/02 Michelangelo Masterpiece 13-1/4-ounce Napoleon Brandy, Set of 4
• 
  Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer, 16.9 Ounce Glass Bottles (Pack of 8)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 261Total Fat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 0gSugar: 17.3gProtein: 0.1g

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