Must-Try Harry Potter Themed Foods and Drinks at Universal Studios Orlando

Everyone always makes a big ruckus over Harry Potter’s Butterbeer. Butterbeer is excellent, yes, but having visited Orlando’s Universal Studios, I must say that sampling the whimsical (and tasty) beverages and grub is a considerable part of any visitor’s experience.

So, during our latest visit to the theme park last month we compiled our own must-try Harry Potter themed foods and drinks for you to try on your next Orlando vacay.

Harry Potter themed drinks

non- alcoholic

Fishy Green Ale

I admit the name was quite the turn off at least initially.  The Fishy Green Ale is a non-alcoholic drink that had magical bubbles aka boba tapioca balls. However, as I soon discovered these magic bubbles burst to leave a pleasant blueberry flavor in the cup.

Two other factors that add to the mystery are the mint and cinnamon combine to the mystery of the Fishy Green Ale. Initially, I thought that our son would hate the tapioca texture. But oddly enough, he couldn’t get enough of the boba balls.

Pumpkin Juice

If you are a pumpkin fan like our son with autism is then this will be your favorite new drink. The pumpkin spice mixed with the apple and pineapple juices are sure to leave visitors wanting more. Oh, and you get to keep a cool funky looking bottle as a souvenir too!

Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice at Hopping Pot

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, George and Fred Weasley created the Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice. This magical carbonated orange juice is sure to leave visitors taste buds in amazement. Add on a cinnamon sugar ring around the glass and the signature orange slice garnish; your eyes will be as happy as your belly.

This one went less well with our son as he dislikes fizz, However, my husband and liked it best as it tasted like a sweetened version of Orangina.

Gilly Water at Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment Kiosk

While Gilly water merely is bottled water, it’s all about the powers of the elixirs!

There are four different magic flavorings in the park that visitors can add to elevate their bottled water up to the next level. The  Red Babbling Beverage is a red elixir creates a  tropical fruit punch drink while the Fire Protection Potion a light red-orange colored elixir tastes like a refreshing blend of strawberry, peach, and watermelon.

For visitors who love a punch of flavor, the Elixir to Induce Euphoria is perfect. The green apple, mint and pineapple flavorings won us over big time. The magical blue elixir, the prettiest of all, turned out to be a mix of blueberry, raspberry, blackberry with a hint of Cherry.

alcoholic drinks

The adult ‘Potterheads’ are in for a treat – the park’s interesting brews. The Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Hopping Pot, and the Leaky Cauldron all serve the wizard’s brew and the Dragon Scale’s Red Ale.

If guests love malty beverages, they will enjoy the Wizards Brew. The Wizard’s Brew is a  Guinness like beer with a chocolatey flavor and smell to it.

The Dragon Scale red ale is lighter and sweeter. Overall, I would recommend you try both since I personally liked them both too much to choose a favorite.

 
Harry Potter themed  food

I’m going to start with full disclosure; As a kid, I was raised in London and have grown to hate English food. So, I was less than enthusiastic to try anything.

But my son a huge Potter fan insisted he had to try all the grub, so I relented. I’m glad I did. Much to my surprise, I actually LIKED  the dishes.

 London Waterfront

Jacket Potatoes

Jacket Potatoes, known to Americans as baked potatoes should be on every visitor’s list of foods to try. There are four topping flavors to are from, and one is sure to be a favorite.

Broccoli and Cheese

The jacket potatoes with cooked broccoli and cheese is sure to be a favorite. It is an easy way for visitors to encourage their children to add an extra vegetable to a meal, without them noticing.

Baked Beans and Cheese

The Baked Beans and Cheese is just that. Baked beans and cheese are added to the jacket potatoes for a delicious flavor.

 Shepard’s Pie 

The Shepard’s Pie Jacket Potatoes consist of a savory sauce with ground beef and vegetables. Shredded cheese also covers Shepard’s pie. loaded jacket potatoes include chives, bacon, cheese and sour cream.

Diagon Alley Leaky Cauldron 

Fisherman’s Pie

When visitors head over to the Leaky Cauldron, one entrée they should try is the Fisherman’s Pie. The Fisherman’s Pie consists of cod, shrimp and Salmon baked under a potato crust.  This entrée could easily feed two people.

Beef, Lamb, and Guinness Stew

Another great meal is the Beef, Lamb and Guinness Stew, served in a bread bowl, this stew is sure to fill up at least two people also. The beef and lamb are slow cooked until so tender that it can easily be shredded with a fork. There is also the delicious gravy that carries over the Guinness flavor.

Toad in the Hole

The Toad in the Hole is an English sausage baked into a Yorkshire pudding with an onion gravy. Also, the minted peas and mixed vegetables are an excellent addition.

Plowman’s Platter

Plowman’s Platter at the Leaky Cauldron is a great appetizer for guests to experience different foods. This plate created for at least two people and consists of English Cheeses, Cornichon pickles, Branston Pickle. It also includes a Scottish egg and crusty bread.

Harry Potter themed desserts 

Chocolate and Butterbeer Potted Cream

These two potted cream desserts are delicious. The Chocolate Potted Cream is a thick, creamy chocolate whipped dessert like a mousse. It is topped with whipped cream, cherry syrup, and a candied cherry. The Butterbeer Potted cream is like a creamy custard that has whipped cream and a butterscotch glaze. The Butterbeer Potted Cream will make guests want the Famous Butterbeer to top off their meal.

If guests need a snack to refuel their energy, the Hopping Pot has the perfect snack.

Cornish Pastries

The Cornish Pastries come in plates of three. They consist of gravy, minced vegetables, ground meat all wrapped infilled into a pastry. Visitors of all ages love them because they are easy to eat while walking around.

Ice Creams

While exploring The Wizardry World of Harry Potter, visitors may need a sweet pick me up, or a nice ice cream. If this is so, they should head over to the Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Hard-packed Ice Cream

Visitors can choose a cup or a souvenir dish while here. They will be able to choose from 10 flavors of hand-scooped ice cream. These flavors are sticky toffee pudding, salted caramel, chocolate chili, strawberry and peanut butter, blonde, clotted cream, Earl Grey and lavender, apple crumbles, or vanilla. With such a selection, guests are sure to find their most favorite flavor easily.

Soft Serve Ice Cream

The soft serve ice cream just may be the best visual ice cream around. Also, when visitors look at this beauty, they will quickly see the flavoring of their choice. The flavoring is different colors on the outer ridge of the ice cream. Flavors for the flavor bursts are strawberries and cream, toffee apple, toffee, mint pistachio, Granny Smith, banana chocolate and orange marmalade.

Autism Travel Tips

• Keep in mind; Harry Potter is still a very popular attraction at Universal Studios. Therefore, that means there could be large crowds and long lines. If visitors are traveling with a child or family member that cannot do large groups, make sure you head over during the slower days. Doing so will allow the family members to enjoy their vacation to the fullest.
• Also, while dining in the various restaurants, encourage family members to try the new flavors and textures of food. While this may seem like a bad idea, if children can associate a texture of food with a pleasant experience, they might be more inclined to try similar items in the future.
• When visiting Harry Potter let your imagination go free. Have fun and explore. After all, do not be afraid to try new food and drinks.

Have you been to Orlando’s Universal Studios the Wizarding World of Harry Potter  yet? If so, did you try any of these foods or drinks? If so, which ones were your favorite?

Margalit Sturm Francus

A reformed dentist who gave up pulling teeth to show her son the world! Need tips on how to #travel with #autism? Follow me on Instagram & Facebook