BUTTER BEER

Harry Potter is almost universally adored. The release of The Sorcerer’s Stone in 1997 began a reading revolution among young people, though Harry Potter’s charm seems to affect humans of all ages. Harry Potter changed everything, not only in literature but also in the minds of a generation. Unsurprisingly, the Harry Potter series has inspired an unfathomable amount of fan creations, which includes a multitude of tasty wizard treats based on what the characters eat in the books. There is now an official version of this popular Harry Potter drink sold at Universal Studios in Florida. It was carefully crafted to J.K. Rowling’s specifications and I’m sure it’s, well, magical. I hope to try it myself one day! However, for those of us who are unable to make it to Florida any time soon, it’d be nice to whip up some Butter Beer right at home. It is a little known fact that Butter Beer was actually a thing before Rowling ever wrote Harry Potter, or really before she was even born. There was a Tudor beverage known as Buttered Beere, which made its first known appearance in writing in The Good Huswifes Handmaide for the Kitchin, published in 1594. This recipe combines elements of this ancient Tudor drink, as well as Rowling’s butterscotch-y description. And it can be served hot or cold! SERVES 2 24 ounces or 3 cups (681ml) non-alcoholic beer (regular beer is great, too) 2 cinnamon sticks 10 whole cloves 10 whole allspice 1 tablespoon imitation butter 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional, for hot version only) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup (75g) brown sugar Evaporated milk, to taste (optional) Soda water, to taste (optional, for cold version only) Whipped cream, to serve (optional) 1 Pour the beer into a saucepan and add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15–20 minutes. 2 Remove the spices and discard the allspice and cloves, but keep the cinnamon sticks for serving if making the hot version. 3 Add the butter flavoring, melted butter (hot version only), vanilla extract, and sugar, and stir into the hot beer. 4 Pour into serving glasses and stir in the evaporated milk (if using) to your taste preferences. 5 If you’re serving the Butter Beer chilled, refrigerate the liquid until cold and then pour into a serving cup. You may need to shake it up before pouring if you add evaporated milk. Add your desired amount of soda water to your serving cup and stir. 6 Top with whipped cream, if you like, and for the hot version, serve with the cinnamon sticks!

#geeky #drankies