I am a huge Harry Potter fan. So when my family and I went to Universal Studios in Florida last spring I had to try the butterbeer. No, it isn't vegan. I wouldn't buy myself one, but when my family members bought some I did give in and have a few sips so I could know what it tasted like. I felt a guilty for having the non-vegan drink, but was drawn in for two reasons.
Firstly, because the way butterbeer is described in the books it just sounded too tasty to pass up on this insight into the experiences of my favorite characters. Although it isn't warm, as the books describe, I still had to give it a try. The second reason was because I had to know exactly what it tasted like so that I could veganize it, and replicate it as closely as possible. Luckily, I have done just that! So now I never have to give in and have more next time we go to Universal Studios, because I can make it at home any time I like. Plus, it is a great drink to have while having a Harry Potter movie marathon.
The creamy froth atop the drink was my favorite part of it. The drink itself is actually quite simple and easy, but the froth is what takes the drink to a whole other level. The drink is really just cream soda with a little rum or butter flavoring added. I have the Watkins butter flavoring, which I think is vegan. I haven't been able to find anything that says it isn't anywhere. However, don't get McCormick butter extract, as they say in their description that it is made with real butter. If you are wary of the butter flavoring you can skip it, and just stir a little of the butterscotch into the cream soda to enhance the flavor. Or you can even get butterscotch cream soda and not need to mix anything, just make the froth to top it with.
When you assemble the drink you have two options: you can stir a little of the froth into the cream soda before topping it with more to give it a creamier texture, or you can just top it with the froth and the soda will still be clear. Your choice! The top picture is of it stirred in, the lower picture is of it just topped with the froth.
BE WARNED!: Sometimes the cream soda mixing with the froth will make it bubble and expand a bit. So be ready to get sipping right away, or don't fill your cup all the way to the top, lest it spill over!
First make your butterscotch. It's a really easy recipe, and you don't need a candy thermometer. Don't be intimidated! Once you make it and see how easy it really is, you'll never want to buy the premade stuff again! It's super good on vanilla nice-cream!
Vegan Butterbeer:
1 batch vegan butterscotch (recipe below, makes enough for 2 batches of butterbeer)
4 bottles cream soda
1 cup Ricemellow Creme (or other vegan marshmallow fluff)
2 heaping tablespoons vegan butterscotch
1 1/2 cups Cocowhip! topping
1/2 tsp imitation butter extract (optional)
1/2 tsp rum extract (optional)
1. Combine Ricemellow Creme and butterscotch and stir until well incorporated. Add Cocowhip! and fold in. If it is thicker than you'd like, just stir in a few tablespoons of cream soda. Set aside.
2. Pour cream soda into chilled glasses and add 1/8 tsp of the extracts you choose to each glass. Gently stir to combine.
3. Optional step: stir about a tablespoon of froth into each glass of cream soda. This makes it have a creamier texture and makes it less clear looking.
4. Top each glass with some of the butterscotch froth and serve!
---- Vegan Butterscotch Recipe ----
1/4 cup vegan butter (I used earthbalance)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut cream
1. Warm the coconut cream in the microwave so it is warm to the touch, but not boiling. 20-30 seconds, depending on the strength of your microwave.
2. In a heavy based sauce pan, melt the butter on medium low heat. Add the brown sugar, salt and lemon juice and stir to combine.
3. Stir continuously until the brown sugar all melts.
4. Add the warm coconut cream and stir to combine.
5. Stir slowly, but continuously another 2-3 minutes. Then remove from heat.
6. Done! Allow the butterscotch to cool completely before making the butterbeer froth.
