Butterscotch drinks come in alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties, with butterscotch schnapps being a popular choice. It can also be used in cocktails and to flavor tea, coffee, cakes, and ice cream. Buttermilk is a healthier alternative, using agave nectar and dates to mimic the flavor. Butterscotch is made with brown sugar and butter, and likely originated in Yorkshire, England.
Butterscotch drinks can generally be divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Butterscotch has been used to flavor everything from tea and coffee to schnapps and cocktails. Even milkshakes and malts can be buttered. It is also used to flavor cakes and other desserts and as a topping for ice cream. Made primarily with brown sugar and butter, the flavor is similar to caramel, although when making the latter the brown sugar is usually boiled longer.
One of the most popular types of butterscotch drinks are butterscotch schnapps. In the United States, schnapps are flavored liqueurs as opposed to German schnapps, a clear distilled alcoholic beverage. American schnapps are a mix of fruit or other flavors with pure grain alcohol. Butterscotch schnapps are often mixed with other spirits in shot-drink or shooter recipes.
Butterscotch schnapps can also be used in cocktails with vodka, whiskey or brandy. For example, the butterfly cocktail is usually made with butterscotch cream, vodka, and schnapps. A butter brandy replaces brandy and whiskey with vodka. Butterscotch schnapps can also be added to a baked vodka martini with apples.
As an alternative to butterscotch alcoholic beverages, there are many brands of tea and coffee infused with this sweet aroma. Butterscotch tea and coffee generally have a milder butterscotch flavor than schnapps, but it’s still sweet enough to be considered dessert beverages. Adding milk and sugar can add a creamy, sweet taste.
Other common types of butterscotch drinks include malts and milkshakes. The sweetness of the butterscotch complements the texture of the ice cream and gives a golden color to these drinkable treats. Shakes are usually made with vanilla ice cream and a little milk, while malts add malted milk powder. This powder has a decidedly sour taste. Malt and milkshake ingredients are blended with butterscotch syrup to make these types of butterscotch drinks.
Given the amount of calories and sugar in a typical milkshake or malt, some people may opt for a buttermilk instead. This type of butterscotch drink may not actually use real butterscotch, but rather try to mimic the flavor without the sugar and butter. Agave nectar and dates are often used to mock the flavor of butterscotch. When mixed with a ripe banana and some milk or water, the result is often healthier than a regular ice cream-based milkshake.
While theories and controversies abound regarding butterscotch’s origin, it is generally agreed that the flavor is made with butter and brown sugar. The brown sugar is slowly caramelized with the butter. Some recipes also add cream, salt and vanilla extract. Butterscotch probably originated in the Yorkshire region of England.
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