Destination: Starbucks for a butterbeer

The recipe for butterbeer at Starbucks is so secret that even the barista slinging the coffee didn't know about it when I went to order a cup with my kids last week.

Posted 1:19 a.m. Dec 13, 2013 — Updated 1:19 a.m. Dec 13, 2013

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

The recipe for butterbeer at Starbucks is so secret that even the barista slinging the coffee didn't know about it when I went to order a cup with my kids last week.

Muggles rejoiced last month when news hit that Starbucks' "secret menu" included butterbeer, the drink of choice for Harry Potter and his wizard friends in the insanely popular book series. As a side note, apparently the secret menu is a thing that includes creative drinks that aren't on the menu, but are made with all of the syrups, coffees, milks and other ingredients found at Starbucks (or any coffee shop with similar supplies, really).

As soon as my Harry Potter-loving eight-year-old learned that the drink might actually exist in some shape or form in a place that we go to more than I care to admit, she was ready to go. We went over to the Starbucks at North Hills (the one near Panera Bread).

When I placed my order, the barista gave me sort of a blank look, but I had the recipe at the ready just in case. I read through the ingredients, he marked up a cup and the drink was made.

There's a hot and cold version of this drink. We ordered just the hot version. It was rich and very sweet ... exactly what I always imagined a butterbeer would be ... but definitely a very occasional treat. Some reports say that the toffee nut syrup is available for only a limited time so this is likely just a seasonal option. But, on our Go Ask Mom Facebook page, a fan mentioned that her local Starbucks has the syrup all year.

Here's the recipe (according to www.thedatereport.com).

Cold Version

• A Crème Frappuccino base, made with whole milk (not skim or 2%)

• 3 pumps of caramel syrup

• 3 pumps of toffee nut syrup

• Top with caramel drizzle

Warm Version

• Whole milk steamer Caramel syrup (2 pumps for a tall, 3 for grande, 4 for venti)

• Toffee nut syrup (2 pumps for a tall, 3 for grande, 4 for venti)

• Cinnamon Dolce syrup (2 pumps for a tall, 3 for grande, 4 for venti)

• Top with whipped cream and salted caramel bits

• Optional: 1 shot of espresso (2 for a grande or venti)

Go Ask Mom features things to do with kids every Friday. For more ideas, check our posts on park and playground reviews and Triangle family destinations.

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