The broad, stable and growing fan base of the Harry Potter series of novels and films certainly needs no introduction to the butterbeer, but those just getting to know the ever-popular story will hopefully welcome the following lines.
Butterbeer is an iconic delicacy in the cult wizarding universe, first appearing in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Volume 3, and in particular in the Three Broomsticks inn in the wizard-only village of Roxmorts, where Harry, Ron and Hermione, frozen in the cold, sip hot, steaming butterbeer to warm themselves and wish each other a Merry Christmas. As the novel suggests, the title character has never tasted anything like butterbeer, and it has become his favourite treat.
But what is that irresistibly delicious butterbeer?
Butterbeer is not a figment of J.K. Rowling's imagination, if the drink was inspired by a drink that existed in modern times. The original Buttered Beer is first mentioned in the 1588 edition of The Good Huswifes Handmaid for the Kitchin, the earliest written reference to a drink of beer, sugar, eggs, nutmeg, cloves and butter, which was reportedly consumed during the Tudor reign. Whether this is where the writer got the idea from is not known, but it is possible.
Recipe for butterbeer, available at the Magic Café and to make at home
Real restaurateurs keep the recipes of their favourite dishes, desserts and drinks safe, but in the case of butterbeer, there's no need to keep secrets, as anyone can find the various ways to make it on the internet. They may differ slightly, not so much in their composition as in their proportions, but the point is that each recipe is a sweet, thick, caramel, creamy calorie bomb. Have a look around online and find your favourite recipes - if you want a professional butterbeer, visit the magic cafe!