Not just for pumpkin pie, this orange-hued fruit also enjoys a reputation in the juice market. Thanks to its appearance in the wildly popular Harry Potter wizarding world, a newer and varied pumpkin juice recipe keeps cropping up every now and then.
Packing the flavors of fall in one drink, pumpkin juice is a smooth and satisfying drink with a hint of sweetness that you can have as is or flavored with a touch of spice.
You can find cold versions of pumpkin juice poured over a ton of ice cubes or serve it warm, heated up in a cozy mug- Hygge style.
It’s also become somewhat of a Halloween party staple and makes for a delectable addition to a Thanksgiving spread.
Read More: How to make carrot juice in a blender
Pumpkin juice benefits
The color of the pumpkin gives away its nutritional potential. Just like other brightly colored fruits and vegetables with carotenoids, pumpkins are chock full of antioxidants, Vitamins C and E in particular. It is also a good source of vitamin A and beta-carotene.
When juiced, pumpkin juice comes naturally loaded with this vitamin and is considered a source of plant protein for vegans and vegetarians. It is also a good source of complex B vitamins that have several important health benefits. And its antioxidant content mitigates a lot of the damage that free radicals would otherwise cause.
Its potent nutrient profile promotes skin benefits, good vision, healthy bones, and a strong immune system.
Being a naturally low-calorie and nutrient-dense food, most of the pumpkin’s health benefits come from its micronutrient and fiber-filled content.
Read More: Why is my Breville juicer not working?
Tips for preparing pumpkin juice
You can use any pumpkin variety for juicing. But do opt for a small or average-sized piece.- If you have homemade pumpkin puree on hand, or a canned variety, even better. You can skip all the steps below and jump right into the recipes.
- Using pumpkin puree lets you blend the juice in a blender safely if you don’t have a juicer. Raw pumpkin chunks may be too hard for a blender to handle.
- Wash the pumpkin and remove its stem.
- Cut pumpkin into halves or quarters using a strong, sturdy knife. Pumpkins can be very hard so a small kitchen knife won’t do.
- Scoop out seeds and any stringy pulp.
- Always remove the rind before juicing. Pumpkin rind can damage your juicer or blender.
- Chop into small enough chunks to put inside the juicer or blender.
- Since pumpkins don’t yield much juice on their own, you’ll likely need to mix in some other juicy produce or some form of liquid.
- Given their neutral taste, pumpkins are easy to pair up with several different fruits and vegetables.
- Some favorites include pears, peaches, apricots, and of course apples.
- Even veggies like beets and leafy greens are a welcome if somewhat unconventional addition to pumpkin juice.
- Pumpkins should be juiced raw. Cooked pumpkin will not serve juicing purposes.
Read More: How Much Juice Is In One Orange? Let’s Find Out
Pumpkin juice recipes
Try this handful of easy and delightful pumpkin juice recipes to gives your tastebuds a tingle.
Pumpkin and carrot juice
Treat your eyes and skin with this vitamin A and C-loaded juice.
Ingredients
- 1 small pie pumpkin
- 3-4 medium carrots
- 1 apple
- 1-inch knob of ginger
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
Directions
Prepare pumpkin as directed. Wash, peel, and cut carrots into chunks. Peel, core, and dice the apple.
Wash, peel and cut the ginger.
Place in a blender jug to blend or run through the juicer.
Sprinkle with cinnamon powder, stir and enjoy.
If you like it cold, place juice in an airtight container for a few hours in the fridge before drinking.
Pumpkin spice and apple cider juice
Ingredients
- 5 cups apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-inch ginger root, sliced
- ½ tsp whole cloves
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 1 can (28 oz) pumpkin puree
Directions
Heat half the apple cider in a pan.
Add in cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Bring mixture to boil and let simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in honey or sugar. Transfer mixture to a covered glass jug or container and place in the fridge to chill.
Before serving. Add in the remaining apple cider and the pumpkin puree. Stir well to mix.
This drink tastes best when served cold.
Tropical pumpkin juice
For a tropical twist on this fall-favorite fruit, try out this unique recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 small pumpkin or pumpkin puree
- 2 cups pineapple- fresh is better but a canned variety will do as well
- 1 pear
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 cup kale– optional
Directions
Prepare pumpkin as directed. Peel and core the pineapple and pear. Cut sweet potatoes lengthwise.
Run all ingredients through juicer and enjoy.
Green pumpkin juice
Mix in some veggies to your pumpkin juice recipe to combine the goodness of pumpkin and leafy greens.
Ingredients
- 1 medium pumpkin or pumpkin puree
- 5-6 carrots
- 2 apples
- 1 zucchini
- 2 cups spinach or kale
Directions
Prepare pumpkin as directed.
Core apples. Cut zucchini into chunks.
Juice all ingredients together and serve.
You can also add in a dash of brown sugar or honey if you want to sweeten the juice a tad bit more.
Red pumpkin juice
Ingredients
- 1 medium pumpkin or pumpkin puree
- 2 beets
- 1 apple
- 5 carrots
- 1 cup spinach-washed
Prepare pumpkin as directed. Wash and cut beets into wedges. Wash and core apple. Wash and halve carrots.
Run all ingredients through a juicer or liquefy in a blender.
Serve immediately.
And now for the grand finale…
Copycat Harry Potter pumpkin juice
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree or 1 ¾ cups homemade puree
- 2 cups pear, apricot, or peach nectar
- ¼ cup (or less) brown sugar
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg powder
- ¾ tsp cinnamon powder
- Pinch of ground allspice
- 2 tsp vanilla
Directions
Combine all ingredients except vanilla in a large pot over medium heat until the mixture starts to boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and cool completely to serve cold over ice.
Conclusion
Whether you like the natural flavor of pumpkin or not, health-wise, it is a superstar. Adding pumpkin into the diet is a hearty addition and one of the easiest ways to enjoy it is to try it out in a pumpkin juice recipe.