Refreshingly chilled and spicy pumpkin juice – just like Harry Potter and his pals drank! Have you tried the Pumpkin Juice from Diagon Alley in Harry Potter World at Universal Studios? This homemade version of Harry Potter’s favorite Pumpkin juice is simmered on the stovetop and then chilled for an authentic spicy, pumpkiny flavor. Read till the end for some suggestions for an adult version as well.
Check out this post with all the vegan pumpkin recipes – both sweet and savory – from Veggie Fun Kitchen!
What You Will Need to Make Pumpkin Juice
To make an authentic tasting pumpkin juice at home, you will need:
- apple juice or cider
- apricot nectar
- canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
- lemon juice (freshly squeezed or bottled is fine)
- coconut sugar
- spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves
- To make an “adult” beverage you can experiment and mix with your favorite spirits. I found a fruit-flavored vodka to work best. See the end of the post for some of the various options you can try.
Who doesn’t love Harry Potter?
Who here is a total Harry Potter geek? (Raising hand…) That’s right, the nights I spent snuggled under the covers with the kids reading chapter after chapter, immersing myself in magical spells and madcap wizarding adventures, were really for my benefit, not theirs. (Shhhh – they don’t need to know!) Fast forward more than a *few* years, when we had the pleasure as family, with now-grown kids, to visit Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter World, Universal Studios. The second I saw the top spires of Hogwarts castle in the distance peeking over the trees, I was immediately transported from a crowded amusement park on a hot summer day to my favorite magical land.
We did it all, the rides, the wands, the shops, and most importantly, the only vegan-friendly food item we could find – the Pumpkin Juice! So refreshing and sweetly spiced, I was sad to find out that the only way I could easily get it was by visiting Diagon Alley or (affiliate link)being lame and buying on Amazon. So unless my newly purchased wand could zip me back to Universal Studios, I had to figure out a way to make my own – which is more fun anyway!
Tips and Tricks for Making Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice at Home
The first few times we made this pumpkin beverage, we just poured the ingredients in a big container, gave it a stir and drank it up. This recipe uses canned pumpkin puree though, which has a strange texture when used as a beverage. It was really tasty – but a little thick for our taste.
Next, we tried straining out some of the puree but lost some of the pumpkin flavor – and it just tasted like spiced apple juice.
Finally, we cooked it over the stove-top to really infuse the flavors and then strained much of the puree out. You can use one of two methods for this.
Either ladle into a fine mesh or nut-milk bag then gently squeeze and let drain.
Or, my preferred method, ladle into a fine mesh strainer and gently push through with a spoon.
Should Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice be served warm or cold?
Of course, it will taste yummy served warm/hot if that is your choice. BUT for an authentic Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice experience that you can only get in the magical world of Harry Potter, serve this pumpkin juice very chilled!
Serve this at your next Halloween party or Harry Potter get-together!
The recipe is written to serve 10 medium-sized beverages. We quadrupled the ingredients and served it in this fun glass pumpkin container I found on Amazon along with some cinnamon sticks to stir up some magic! (Affiliate Links)
Can you make Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice into a more adult beverage?
Heck yes! Here are some options you might want to try adding:
- (our favorite) fruit-flavored vodka – we liked peach
- apple brandy
- (not my favorite) whiskey of choice
- spiced rum
- fireball whiskey
There are a lot of tasty ways to turn this pumpkin drink into an adult beverage. For another yummy adult seasonal beverage, try my Boozy Vegan Shamrock Shakes!
Looking for more yummy pumpkin recipes to serve to your crowd?
Pumpkin Cookies (Just Like Grandma Made)
Vegan Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Check out this post with all the vegan pumpkin recipes – both sweet and savory – from Veggie Fun Kitchen!
The Recipe for Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice:
Does this spark your appetite? Got a taste for more? Subscribe to Veggie Fun Kitchen to get new recipes and ideas to simplify your plant-based cooking routines delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates! Enjoy the recipe.
Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice
Ingredients
- 6 cups apple juice
- 4 ½ cups apricot nectar Three 11.5 ounce cans Kerns Nectar
- 1 15 ounce pumpkin puree, canned solid pack, not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened lemon juice from fresh lemon or bottled
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to an extra-large saucepan. Stir to mix well and bring to a boil.
- Turn down and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Turn off, cover and allow to cool till the liquid is cool enough to touch. This is so that it won't burn you if some splashes during the straining process. You may cool in the refrigerator if desired.
- With a fine-mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or nut bag, strain the majority of the pulp from the cooled liquid. Do this by placing the strainer over one container and scooping out a few cups at a time. I then take the back of a spoon and press through, getting out most of the liquid. Discard the pulp and start with another couple of cups until all liquid has been strained.
- Pour into a container such as a large bottle, jar, or pitcher, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or until cold.
Notes
Nutrition
Thanks it’s REALLY tasty!