A few years back, my sister and I went on vacation. A Disney vacation. We went on the Disney Fantasy cruise for a week and then spent a week at Disney World. However, since we were already in Orlando, I insisted that we hit up the Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios. In fact, I told my sister I would not go on the trip at all unless she promised me that a visit to Hogwarts was in my future.
I had many plans for our day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, one of which was to try frozen butter beer. Of course the day we went to the park it was pouring rain but I was not going to let that come between me and my goal. Apparently others felt the same way because there was a long line of people willing to get drenched in the rain just to get a taste of the little bit less-sickly butterscotch concoction. We waited for 10 minutes until finally it was our turn to place our order at the tiny cart outside.
With frozen butter beers in hand, we decided to head into the Three Broomsticks to take shelter from the rain and get a nice hearty meal to warm us up. Well, I hate to tell you the look of pure hatred I got from my soaking wet sister when she saw “Butterbeer” and “Frozen Butterbeer” displayed prominently on the menu. Oops.
Sipping on this tea now, I am brought back to that moment. This tea is like a memory of that frozen deliciousness I had so many years ago, a bit more subtle and slightly less sweet but still amazing. It’s got a root beer thing going on that is in contrast to the more cream soda-like flavor I recall in the butterbeer I had at the park and yet a hint of butterscotch lingers and I find the two flavors are meshing very well. I also like that the base is present in the flavor but more as a malt that provides body and heft to drink as a whole.
Is it the same as the frozen butterbeer? No. Is that a bad thing? No. This inspires less of a toothache since its not as sweet and with much fewer calories, it can be enjoyed much more often and without the guilt. Plus, when a drink is inspired by a book, whose to say which take on the flavor is right?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
I was really excited when this tea was voted to be the tea of the week for October’s Retro Monday because 1) I loved the original blend of this tea, and; 2) I was the one (or at least, one of the ones) who bugged Frank to create a Butter Beer tea! So I was excited to try blending this one myself.
This is how Frank described the original blend:
I got my recipe directly from The Three Broomsticks: Premium black teas blended with a bit of essence of rootbeer, a bit of butter vapors, some licorice root, chichory root and a touch of magic. Our Butterbeer tea is the beverage of choice for wizards of all ages, and if you have no idea what I’m referring to, please go on about your muggle life, this blend is for Harry Potter fans only. Well, okay, I guess muggles could enjoy it too. It is truly unique and delicious. A blend worthy of the 52teas brand of creative flavored teas. Enjoy!
I started with a base of organic black teas from China and India and added roasted chicory, licorice root, sarsaparilla root and vanilla bean (the original didn’t have sarsaparilla or vanilla bean but I decided that it should have it). Then I added some calendula petals (to make it pretty) and some special magic ingredients (aka organic, natural flavors).
The result is absolute tea drinker bliss!
Taster size is approximately 15g.
organic ingredients: black teas, licorice root, chicory root, sarsaparilla root, vanilla bean, calendula petals and natural flavors.
