A trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort would be incomplete without a tankard of Butterbeer. Our perfect day starts in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida with a ride on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts when wait times are low. Afterward, we stroll around Diagon Alley while sipping on Butterbeer and casting spells with Lily’s interactive wand before leaping over to Hogsmeade to get the full wizarding experience.
Helping yourself to some Butterbeer at Universal is just one of the many ways to feel immersed in this magical world. We toadally love that Universal serves it in six different forms of treats! Everyone in our Frog Family has their own favorite. So, which version should you try? Each treat offers something unique, so we’re here to give you a full breakdown of Butterbeer at Universal and where to find it in its various forms. (BEST NEWS EVER: Hot Butterbeer — Leap's favorite — is now available year-round!) And NEW for 2024, guests can enjoy an entire Butterbeer season.
Our Complete Guide to Butterbeer at Universal Orlando
For you less-informed muggles, Butterbeer is a popular fictitious drink among wizards and witches in the Harry Potter series. Author J.K. Rowling said that she imagined it tastes “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch.” Despite its name, Butterbeer at Universal does not have any alcohol in it, so tadpoles and frog parents alike can enjoy it! When the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade first opened at Universal Islands of Adventure, Butterbeer came to life in drink form with two different versions: cold and frozen. Since the Wizarding World has expanded, though, the variety of Butterbeer treats has grown! Across all versions, Butterbeer is sweet — perhaps even too much for some, so it’s hopful if you start off by sharing. If you really enjoy it, go back for seconds!
The Wizarding World conjured up a very sweet surprise: frogs can now order a completely non-dairy version of both cold and frozen Butterbeer! Before, team members were only able to whip up mugs of these drinks without the signature whipped dairy topping to make it vegan-friendly ... but now, that delicious whipped topping is available in vegan form, so all the frogs in your squad can rock those iconic foam mustaches! You can find these delicious dairy-free drinks at Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.
Butterbeer Season at Universal Orlando Resort
Raise your steins! If you frequently don a foam mustache, you'll love this news: Butterbeer Season has officially arrived at Universal Orlando! From March 15 to June 2, 2024, you'll get the chance to enjoy Butterbeer in all-new ways within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Throughout the season, Universal Orlando has been rolling out delectable treats — including a refreshing Butterbeer ice lolly and scrumptious Butterbeer caramels — in addition to the traditional items served daily. Additionally, for a limited time only during the festive period, cold and frozen Butterbeer will be available to purchase in a special collectible silver stein. Cheers!
Types of Butterbeer at Universal Orlando
Cold
The ingredients of Butterbeer are top secret (that’s part of the magic, right?), but it’s fun to guess what’s in it. Cold Butterbeer reminds me of a cream soda with shortbread and butterscotch flavors. It comes topped off with a thick layer of whipped cream. Tad and Lily often compete to see who has the best foam mustache. If this is your first Butterbeer, I’d recommend the cold version. As a Harry Potter fan, this drink comes the closest to how I imagined it. It can be served in a regular cup or a souvenir tankard.
Where to find it: In Diagon Alley, you’ll find cold Butterbeer at Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you can locate it at Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and the two Butterbeer street carts.
Frozen
Tad’s personal favorite, frozen Butterbeer is a slushy version of the iconic drink (and it also has the cream topping). It’s the only Butterbeer drink that comes with a straw so you can slurp up every last bit of it. The frozen drink is particularly refreshing on a hot summer day! Just watch out for brain freeze — there’s no spell to prevent it. Like cold Butterbeer, it’s served in either a regular cup or a souvenir tankard.
Where to find it: In Diagon Alley, frozen Butterbeer is available at Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you can get it at Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and the two Butterbeer street carts.
Hot
Hot Butterbeer is the last of the drink options (and Leap's fave). It used to be available only seasonally, but now it's available year-round! This version of Butterbeer is very similar to hot chocolate — but with a butterscotch flavor. The foam topping melts in this drink, making it extra creamy. When the weather gets a bit chilly, this is your best option, as it warms you right up! Let it cool for a minute before you sip. Hot Butterbeer comes in a coffee cup with a sleeve to keep your frog fingers from getting burned.
Where to find it: Hot Butterbeer is available at Leaky Cauldron and The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley and Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head in Hogsmeade.
Ice Cream
Lily asks for Butterbeer ice cream every time we visit the Wizarding World, and it’s sure hard to say no. We often like to share a cup since the portion size is generous and the sweetness can be a bit overwhelming at first (but not necessarily a bad thing!). Butterbeer ice cream has a soft-serve vanilla base laced with a golden butterscotch swirl. We just wish we could take a gallon home! You can get it in a cone or a souvenir cup.
Where to find it: In Diagon Alley, you can get Butterbeer ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, Leaky Cauldron or The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you’ll find it at Three Broomsticks.
Fudge
If you want to bring home some Butterbeer goodness to your friends and family (or yourself — we don’t judge), fudge is your best bet. It has two layers of Butterbeer’s signature flavors: butterscotch and shortbread. Served at room temperature, you can buy a block or however many pieces your froggy heart desires.
Where to find it: Grab Butterbeer fudge at Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley or Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Potted Cream
We didn’t really know what to expect before we first tried Butterbeer potted cream. But it exceeded our expectations and adds a great contrast to a salty Fish & Chips lunch or dinner. It’s served cold in a small mason jar, along with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Even though it looks almost like pudding, the texture is a bit airy like whipped cream (but definitely thicker).
Where to find it: Pick up Butterbeer potted cream at Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
The “best” style of Butterbeer at Universal Orlando will be a personal choice. That’s a good excuse to try all six, right? Let us know which one you love the most!
Related: 7 Must-Do Things Inside Diagon Alley Besides the Rides
Related: What's Inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley
Hoppy planning!
