Pumpkin Juice Recipe (Pumpkin Cider)
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Pumpkin juice includes all the wonderful flavors of fall! Featuring canned pumpkin, apple cider, orange juice and spices, this fall drink recipe is amazing served hot or cold. Whether you are searching for Harry Potter pumpkin juice specifically or would love a warm pumpkin cider, this recipe is for you!
If you are on the hunt for Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice, this recipe is your chance to try this much loved drink! Mentioned multiple times in the series, we know it is served over ice traditionally and can be enjoyed any time. It is even used as the first ingredient for the potion Stamina Game. But this pumpkin juice from Harry Potter is so versatile, that I don’t know if I like it better hot or cold!
Who can resist a refreshing cold drink on Thanksgiving when your kitchen is hot from the oven and your house is packed with people? Serve pumpkin juice over ice. What is better than a warm drink on a chilly fall day? Heat it up and turn it into a delicious pumpkin cider! (Or try my pumpkin spice creamer recipe if you need a caffeine pick-me-up.)
Pumpkin Juice Ingredients
Whether you call this pumpkin juice or pumpkin cider, the ingredients are the exact same. The only difference is whether you serve it hot or cold. This pumpkin spice apple cider is perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering. This recipe features canned pumpkin, apple cider and pumpkin pie spice. You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe:
- apple cider: A half gallon of your favorite apple cider is best but unsweetened apple juice can be used in a pinch.
- canned pumpkin: Be sure to use 100% pumpkin and not a pumpkin pie filling which has additional ingredients added. Canned pumpkin can be used in so many ways beyond pie, like this pumpkin fluff or other drinks like slow cooker pumpkin spice latte.
- orange juice: I love the flavor the orange juice brings in this recipe but you can easily substitute pineapple juice or skip it if you prefer
- apricot preserves, jam or spreadable fruit: Since a blender is used in this recipe, it doesn’t matter if you use an apricot jam or a spreadable fruit. Can also substitute orange marmalade if needed.
- brown sugar: The brown sugar helps to sweeten the canned pumpkin and adds a nice, rich flavor.
- pumpkin pie spice: Because of course canned pumpkin tastes amazing with pumpkin pie spice and it ’tis the season. However, you could also just use cinnamon, or a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- orange slices (optional): Orange slices will sink in this drink so they are best used for the side of the glass instead of resting on top. You could also garnish with cloves or cinnamon sticks.
How to Make Pumpkin Juice
Making pumpkin juice is so easy! Just grab your blender and blend together your canned pumpkin, orange juice, apricot spread (or jam/preserves), brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and half of your apple cider.
Once fully mixed up, pour your pumpkin drink into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Stir in remaining apple cider with a large spoon.
Pour over ice or heat to serve as an apple pumpkin cider. Garnish with orange slices, if desired.
If you are looking for an alcoholic fall beverage, try this pumpkin sangria featuring white wine, rum, sparkling apple cider and pumpkin puree or perhaps an apple cider margarita with apple cider, tequila, orange liqueur, and some ginger beer. Yum!
Pumpkin Cider
To turn this pumpkin juice into pumpkin cider, simply heat up this tasty fall drink. For entertaining purposes, such as for a Halloween party or Thanksgiving dinner, I like to use my crockpot to keep it warm and allow guests to serve themselves.
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cider: Add pumpkin juice to your slow cooker and heat on low for 2 to 4 hours.
- Stove Top Pumpkin Cider: Heat contents on medium heat in a stockpot until heated through, approximately 10 minutes or until hot but not boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
- Microwave Pumpkin Cider: Heat individual servings of pumpkin juice anytime by placing in a microwave-safe mug. Heat until warm or hot but not boiling. Exact time will depend upon personal preference, size of the mug and your microwave. For reference, it takes approximately 90 seconds for my 1000 watt microwave to heat 8 oz of this cider to the temperature I enjoy.
Pumpkin Juice (Pumpkin Cider)
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider (half gallon)
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup orange juice or pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves or spreadable fruit
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- orange slices for garnish optional
Instructions
-
Using a blender, mix pumpkin, orange juice, apricot preserves, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and 4 cups apple cider until well combined.
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Pour into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Stir in remaining apple cider. Pour over ice or heat to serve. Garnish with orange slices, if desired.
Recipe Notes
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cider: Add pumpkin juice to your slow cooker and heat on low for 2 to 4 hours.
Stove Top Pumpkin Cider: Heat contents on medium heat in a stockpot until heated through, approximately 10 minutes or until hot but not boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
Microwave Pumpkin Cider: Heat individual servings of pumpkin juice anytime by placing in a microwave-safe mug. Heat until warm or hot but not boiling.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Everyone in my house loves this recipe for pumpkin juice and it goes fast. My husband loves that it is slightly thicker than traditional cider but the texture is still very smooth. It is not as thick as a smoothie. I have kept mine in a pitcher in the fridge and it is disappears over the course of a day or two as family members grab a glass to drink cold or a mug and heat it up in the microwave. While it works well for Halloween and Thanksgiving, any time is a good time for pumpkin cider.
More Cider Recipes:
If you love cider recipes, give these recipes a try:
- Cranberry Cider
- Orange Cider
- Spiced Cherry Cider
- Cinnamon Apple Cider (with Red Hots)
- Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix (with free printable for gift giving)