Universal Launches Vegan Butterbeer Topping

by · March 7, 2023

A vegan butterbeer topping was launched on March 2 at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, meaning that the drink now has a fully vegan version and spelling success for the Protego Foundation’s campaign.

 

Cold and frozen vegan butterbeer.

Source: Universal

 

Vegan butterbeer has been available since last July at the two sites that now have vegan foam, as well as Harry Potter New York and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. The vegan butterbeer offering at the theme parks includes the frozen and regular versions, although the hot version still has a dairy base. The vegan topping will be served from dispensers at the Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron, while the Hog’s Head pub at Universal Studios Hollywood will have a bottle ready for use.

One reason for this change is Accio Vegan Butterbeer, the Protego Foundation’s campaign for vegan butterbeer at Wizarding World theme parks, launched back in 2018. Since then, the campaign has evolved and is still running today with the aim of introducing the vegan butterbeer drink and its foam companion in all Wizarding World parks, including Universal Studios Japan and Universal Bejing Resort.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The Protego Foundation is absolutely ecstatic about this progress. It’s a huge victory for the vegan community.

Executive director of the Protego Foundation Kathryn Henzler said, “It’s surreal yet gratifying to know that our hard work campaigning for fully vegan butterbeer for five years has finally made our dream a reality,” and went on to thank Universal for the “compassionate decision.”

The vegan topping isn’t the only recent expansion of the vegan options at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Menus at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood were expanded back in February 2022 to include vegan entrées, including a shepherd’s pie and an Irish stew, as well as a mushroom pie platter exclusively at Universal Orlando Resort.

Are you hoping to get to a park to taste some of the newly added vegan options?

Universal Press Release

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER ADDS VEGAN BUTTERBEER TO ITS VEGAN OFFERINGS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

Orlando, Fla., Universal City, Calif. (March 2, 2023) – Guests can now enjoy a vegan version of the fan-favorite [b]utterbeer beverage in [t]he Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Available in cold and frozen, the new non-dairy offering features the same delicious taste as the existing, wildly-popular [sic] [b]utterbeer drink – complete with flavors reminiscent of butterscotch and shortbread and topped with a vegan-friendly version of the iconic [b]utterbeer froth.

Universal Orlando guests can purchase vegan, non-dairy [b]utterbeer at the Three Broomsticks restaurant in Hogsmeade and the Leaky Cauldron restaurant in Diagon Alley, and Universal Studios Hollywood guests can purchase the beverage at the Hog’s Head pub in addition to the Three Broomsticks restaurant. Guests can also savor other vegan menu options during their visit to the spectacularly themed lands, including Irish Stew and Shepherd’s Pasty Pie (located at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando), and Mushroom Pie Platter (located at Universal Orlando).

For more information about [t]he Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com, and at Universal Studios Hollywood, visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

Protego Foundation Press Release

FULLY VEGAN BUTTERBEER NOW AVAILABLE AT UNIVERSAL PARKS [&] RESORTS

ORLANDO, Florida, and LOS ANGELES, California— Vegans everywhere have something to cheer for. Thanks to [t]he Protego Foundation’s tireless campaigning, Universal Parks [&] Resorts now offers a fully vegan butterbeer topping for both the cold and frozen versions of the drink at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Since launching the “Accio Vegan Butterbeer” campaign petition in 2018, The Protego Foundation has fought for a dairy-free option for the iconic drink at the Wizarding World. Now, as of March 2nd [sic] 2023, butterbeer is available as a fully vegan drink– foam and all! The certified vegan version of the creamy, frothy topping is crafted from plant-based ingredients, making the beloved beverage now accessible for those who choose to avoid animal-based ingredients like cow’s milk.

Of the victory, Kathryn Henzler, Executive Director of [t]he Protego Foundation, said, “​It’s surreal yet gratifying to know that our hard work campaigning for fully vegan butterbeer for five years has finally made our dream a reality.”

Vegan butterbeer topping dispensers have been installed at select locations within Florida’s Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and California’s Universal Studios Hollywood. The vegan topping for [b]utterbeer is only available within the restaurants inside of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at [t]he Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is not currently available at the additional [b]utterbeer carts and other serving locations.

“Whether you are vegan for the environment, vegan for the animals, vegan for health, or have a dairy allergy, we can now all indulge in the most iconic Wizarding World treat without contributing to the cruelty that mother cows and their calves face in the dairy industry,” says Henzler, “Thank you, Universal, for this compassionate decision!”

For more information about [t]he Protego Foundation and to support their work to help magical (and non-magical) creatures, visit protegofoundation.org.

Neave Williamson

I've been a proud Slytherin for as long as I can remember, and love taking inspiration from the Wizarding World for short films.