Harry Potter Inspired Butterbeer - Starbucks Secret Menu Recipe

Did you know your local Starbucks has a secret menu? Are you a Harry Potter fan? Then you may be delighted to know that your favorite coffee shop offers Harry Potter Butterbeer! 

To make a Starbucks secret menu like the Harry Potter Butterbeer recipe, you need whole milk, caramel syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, and toffee nut (or butterscotch syrup). You'll also need caramel sauce and whipped cream for toppings. Add coffee or a couple of shots of espresso to make it into a latte.  

This article will show how you can make this favorite drink of Harry Potter fans right at home. I'll also include how to make it as a latte and frappuccino, plus info about other Starbucks drinks you can make at home. 

How To Make Harry Potter Inspired Butterbeer 

Our entire family loves Harry Potter drinks when we visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.

It's exciting to know this is a secret menu item at Starbucks, but perhaps even more exciting to know it is a delicious sweet drink we can make at home! The next best thing to being on vacation.

Before you start this recipe with our interpretation of the Harry Potter drink, be sure to buy the right ingredients.

For the most authentic flavor, you can purchase the Starbucks Caramel Syrup (available on Amazon.com) and Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (available on Amazon.com).

However, it's tough to find due to a Starbucks toffee nut syrup shortage. Suitable replacements are Monin Toffee Nut Syrup (available on Amazon.com) or Torani Butterscotch Syrup, (available on Amazon.com).

If you don't have a whole milk steamer, heat your milk on the stove or in the microwave.

You want the milk to reach 150°F (65°C) but not much higher, or it will burn. Use a kitchen thermometer to test it.

While frothing your milk isn't essential, anyone who enjoys a latte will miss that foamy, milky texture! I recommend the Zulay Handheld Milk Frother (available on Amazon.com) to froth your milk at home. It's affordable and easy to use!

However, DIY alternatives include:

• Shaking your milk inside a closed jar.
• Whipping it with a whisk or electric mixer.
• Putting it in the blender. 

Ingredients (Yields 1 Grande Drink)

• 14 oz (414 ml) whole milk (or substitute of choice)
• 2 pumps of caramel syrup
• 2 pumps of toffee nut (or butterscotch) syrup
• 1 pump cinnamon dolce syrup
• Caramel sauce to taste
• Whipped cream to taste

Directions 

1. Steam your milk. 
2. Add your syrup pumps and stir.
3. Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce. 
4. Enjoy!

Related: Best Milk for Making Froth

How To Make Harry Potter Inspired Butterbeer Latte

The Harry Potter inspired hot butterbeer latte is almost identical to the basic hot butterbeer recipe above, with the addition of coffee or espresso. However, the number of syrup pumps is adjusted to account for the flavor of the coffee. 

Below is a latte recipe, but if you don't have an espresso maker, you can replace half (or more) of the milk with hot, strong coffee instead.

Alternatively, you can make espresso with a French press, an Aeropress, an instant coffee pot, or a Moka pot. 

For more info, check out this Youtube tutorial on how to make espresso without an espresso machine.

Note that the more coffee you add to this recipe, the less sweet it will be, depending on the strength and variety of your chosen coffee.

I recommend adding extra syrup pumps to adjust for that. 

Ingredients (Yields 1 Grande Drink)

• 14 oz (414 ml) whole milk (or substitute of choice)
• 2 shots espresso
• 3 pumps of caramel syrup
• 3 pumps of toffee nut syrup (or butterscotch syrup)
• 1 ½ pump cinnamon dolce syrup
• Caramel sauce to taste
• Whipped cream to taste

Directions 

1. Steam your milk. 
2. Add 2 shots of espresso
3. Add your syrup pumps and stir.
4. Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce. 
5. Enjoy!

How To Make Harry Potter Inspired Butterbeer Frappuccino

Harry Potter Inspired Butterbeer Frappuccino is a little bit more complicated.

Butterbeer frappucino starts with a vanilla bean frappuccino base. To make this at home, you need vanilla bean ice cream and vanilla extract in addition to the other ingredients I've listed. 

For a caffeinated version, replace the milk in this recipe with your choice of strong, cold brew coffee.

Again, this will cut the sweetness, so you'll need to add an extra pump of caramel syrup, a extra pump of toffee syrup, and an additional ½ pump of cinnamon dolce.

(Total: 2 caramel pumps, two toffee nut or butterscotch pumps, and 1 ½ pump of cinnamon dolce). 

Ingredients (Yields 1 Grande Drink)

• 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk (or substitute)
• 1 cup (237 ml) of vanilla bean ice cream
• 1 cup (217 g) ice
• Splash of vanilla extract
• 2 pumps of caramel syrup
• 2 pumps of toffee nut (or butterscotch) syrup
• 1 pump cinnamon dolce syrup
• Caramel sauce to taste
• Whipped cream to taste

Directions 

1. Combine milk, ice cream, vanilla extract, and syrup pumps in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle. 
3. Enjoy!

You can always top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon and caramel crumbs for an extra bit of sweet goodness on this great butterbeer drink.​

Related: How to Use a Nespresso Milk Frother

Other Starbucks Drinks To Make at Home

Let's face it, Starbucks drinks are delicious. But the good news is you can skip driving to get one!

Making them at home is a fun and convenient alternative. If you love making your copycat Starbucks drinks or want to experiment, check out some of my other Starbucks menu recipes!

• Pumpkin Cold Foam Recipe 
• Easy Caramel Latte Recipe
• Homemade Classic Syrup Recipe 

Final Thoughts

Harry Potter fans and muggles alike love the taste of Butterbeer!

These easy Harry Potter-themed drinks will make your day - and your kid's day, too! Homemade butterbeer is also great for parties, special occasions, or just a cozy day on the couch watching Harry Potter movies. 

Impress your friends and family with these secret menu recipes, or make yourself an extraordinary Wizarding World treat at home!

Then, close your eyes and pretend you are enjoying this delicious butterscotch concoction in Diagon Alley.