My First Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

As a longtime fan of the Harry Potter books and films, I can tell you confidently that there are a lot of Potter-related firsts that stick with you. The first time you opened the first book, the first time you experienced seeing one of the movies in theaters, the first time you walked into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Parks & Resorts…

But the only first I have caught on camera is my first ever Butterbeer.

Clearly I was stoked about it. 

For someone who remembers reading about Butterbeer in the Harry Potter book series and then watching it be represented and consumed by my favorite characters in the Harry Potter film series, this was an incredibly special moment for me.

I remember the first time Ron Weasley asked Harry Potter, “Shall we go for a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?”, my interest was piqued. All I wanted to do was go to the Three Broomsticks with my friends for whatever this Butterbeer was — it just sounded cozy, comforting, and delicious.

The actual experience of ordering a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks is one that I had looked forward to for a long time.

And I know I’m not alone! With over 50 million Butterbeers (and counting!) ordered in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter around the world it’s safe to say that the drink is definitely a fan-favorite.

The Many Ways to Enjoy Butterbeer

Butterbeer has been enjoyed by many fans over the years since opening day of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Orlando back in 2010. The tasty treat is also served in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands across the world in Hollywood, Beijing, and Japan.

Fans of the flavor can also try six different (including dairy-free!) Butterbeer treats. And if you haven’t had a chance to try all the different kinds, I highly recommend you change that…

First, we have cold Butterbeer and frozen Butterbeer, both of which serve as a wonderful treat on a hot Florida day.

You can also enjoy hot Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter year-round! It’s a perfectly cozy concoction to warm you up while sporting your Hogwarts House scarf and walking around the shops in Hogsmeade or enjoying a seasonal show in Diagon Alley.

Additionally, there are a few treats inspired by the beverage, with the beloved Butterbeer flavor: Butterbeer Potted Cream, Butterbeer Fudge, or Butterbeer Ice-Cream. All of them are absolutely delectable…

If you’re asking yourself where you can find the Butterbeer treat you’re looking for in Universal Orlando Resort, I’m here to help…

• COLD:  Leaky Cauldron, The Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head, Street Carts
• FROZEN: Leaky Cauldron, The Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head, Street Carts
• HOT: Leaky Cauldron, Three Broomsticks
• POTTED CREAM: Leaky Cauldron, Three Broomsticks
• FUDGE: Sugarplum’s Sweetshop, Honeydukes
• ICE-CREAM: Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, The Hopping Pot, Three Broomsticks

That Your First Butterbeer

We asked our friends in the Universal Orlando Annual Passholder community to share about their first time trying Butterbeer…

“The first time I had Butterbeer I felt at home” -Allison Westbrook Swanson

“The first time I had Butterbeer, I shared it with the snowman.” -Timothy Hall

“First time I had a Butterbeer, I finished it and got right back in line to get another one!” -Armand Turner

“First butterbeer and first trip in 2019, celebrating my 40th birthday in the place I’ve dreamt of visiting for SO long! We tried every form of Butterbeer! It was AMAZING! We came back for our second time in early 2020 and celebrated my birthday, again (best place to celebrate your birthday imo) and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a Butterbeer!” -Shiloh Muethel

“The first time I had Butterbeer, I had to share! My kids took it over, it was delicious!” -Brandy Jones

11 Years Later…

This year marks 11 years since fans have been able to enjoy Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

I recently had the chance to chat with Chef Steve Jayson, Vice President and Corporate Executive Chef for Universal Parks & Resorts. Chef Jayson has played a major role in lots of the delicious things found to eat and drink throughout all Universal Parks globally. He’s been working for the company for over 32 years, so if you’ve ever taken a bite of something at Universal and audibly went, “mmmm” then you likely have Chef Jayson to thank.

Over the course of 32 years, you could certainly say Chef Jayson has seen a fair amount of tasty developments at Universal’s theme parks, but perhaps no project has been as monumental as the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in the summer of 2010. 

Chef Jayson was excited to be tasked with bringing food and beverage for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to life. 

“We’re developing all these menus and pulling in ideas of hearty, British fare that we think would be served in places like the Three Broomsticks,” Chef Jayson says. “Whenever we’d get to the topic of Butterbeer, all we knew was that in order to be true to the books and film, Butterbeer needed to be magical.”

And that it is! Butterbeer has a delicious base beverage that is reminiscent of butterscotch and shortbread with a creamy foam on the top.

“I think the fact that Butterbeer first only existed as words in a book and now all of a sudden here it is?” says Chef Jayson. “That’s pretty magical.”

Share your first Butterbeer story with us in the comments below! I’d love to hear them. And if you’ve still never had your first sip of this delicious drink, what are you waiting for? Come enjoy one soon at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.