Butterbeer and Firewhisky

Well, I've sampled a few mouthwatering (and one or two revolting) dishes, so it's time now to find some thirst quenchers to wash it down with. For this, we'll head over to the Three Broomsticks Inn, the friendly bar in the wizarding village of Hogsmeade.

Run by the warm and welcoming witch Madam Rosmerta, the tavern offers a variety of beverages ranging from traditional British pub favourites to experimental magical concoctions, including mulled mead and gillywater (made from the magical plant 'gillyweed').

Butterbeer is the drink of choice for most students as they seek shelter in the Three Broomsticks and warm themselves up. Harry's first taste of butterbeer comes on that chilly day in December when he had sneaked into Hogsmeade through the secret passage to Honeydukes. 

"“Tell you what,” said Ron, his teeth chattering, “shall we go for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?”
Harry was more than willing; the wind was fierce and his hands were freezing, so they crossed the road, and in a few minutes were entering the tiny inn.
It was extremely crowded, noisy, warm, and smoky. A curvy sort of woman with a pretty face was serving a bunch of rowdy warlocks up at the bar.
“That’s Madam Rosmerta,” said Ron. “I’ll get the drinks, shall I?” he added, going slightly red.
Harry and Hermione made their way to the back of the room, where there was a small, vacant table between the window and a handsome Christmas tree, which stood next to the fireplace. Ron came back five minutes later, carrying three foaming tankards of hot butterbeer.
“Merry Christmas!” he said happily, raising his tankard.
Harry drank deeply. It was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted and seemed to heat every bit of him from the inside."

(Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter Ten - The Marauder's Map)

The thought of butterbeer actually makes my mouth water, so I couldn't wait to make this one. I really liked the Revolting Recipes book that I used last time, so I used the recipe for 'Butterscotch' from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

After melting sugar, butter and golden syrup in a pan, I whisked it up with milk and natural yoghurt.

Then I left it to chill in the fridge for a few hours and returned to thick, frothy, butterscotch tasting milk.

Although it wasn't physically warm, like in the books, it was satisfyingly sweet and something you could definitely drink on a cold day. I'm sure it could be heated before drinking instead of chilled.

Wizards and muggles alike take part in the age old tradition of toasting to someone's memory, which is how Harry gets his first shot of Firewhisky. After a fierce battle with the Deatheaters, Mad-Eye Moody is killed, leaving the rest of the group in shock.

"Bill walked over to the sideboard and pulled out a bottle of firewhisky and some glasses.
“Here,” he said, and with a wave of his wand he sent twelve full classes soaring through the room to each of them, holding the thirteenth aloft. “Mad-Eye,”
“Mad-Eye,” they all said, and drank.
“Mad-Eye,” echoed Hagrid, a little late, with a hiccup.
The firewhisky seared Harry’s throat. It seemed to burn feeling back into him, dispelling the numbness and sense of unreality, filling him with something that was like courage."

(Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter Five - Fallen Warrior)

Making firewhisky was a simple process: one shot of bourbon with two drops of Tabasco sauce.

Drinking it, however, was not so simple. It definitely seared my throat and filled me with something, but that something certainly wasn't courage...

I really was burning up afterwards; this is definitely not a drink that I'd recommend you try at home!