Clickorlando.com
The official Butter Beer Recipe.
There's no need to travel to Hogsmeade -- or to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Orlando -- to get a taste of butterbeer. The drink is one of the features of the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal's Islands of Adventure, and now the recipe for the beverage is available to all.
The 20-acre park brings the Harry Potter books and movies to life with detailed reproductions of the fictitious village of Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the steam-belching Hogwarts Express train.
"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" officially opened in mid-June, and Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright and Tom Felton -- Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy, respectively -- were on hand, along with other stars of the Harry Potter film franchise. Hundreds of media members from all over the world were also on hand to cover the opening of the attraction that has been five years in the making.
With the heat index nearing 100 by Friday afternoon, many rushed immediately for an ice cold butterbeer, a staple beverage from the books which until now was offered exclusively at the Wizarding World.
Here's the recipe for the formerly fictional drink made famous by the young wizard, Harry Potter.
BUTTERBEER
Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)
Servings: 4
•1 cup light or dark brown sugar
•2 tablespoons water
•6 tablespoon butter
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
•3/4 cup heavy cream, divided
•1/2 teaspoon rum extract
•Four 12-ounce bottles cream soda
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 F on a candy thermometer. Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the rum extract.
In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped, about 2 to 3 minutes.
To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses (about 1/4 cup for each glass). Add 1/4 cup of cream soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional cream soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each.