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What does Harry Potter pumpkin juice taste like?
The Universal Studio’s version of Harry Potter pumpkin juice tastes like autumn. Served in an adorably packaged pumpkin bottle, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter drink, surprisingly, tastes less of pumpkin pie and more like warm apple pie.
And yes, I figured out how to copy it.
I hauled back a bottle of the pumpkin juice from Universal’s Studio of Adventure, and sipped it as I trialled the recipe until it tasted the exact same.
On the pumpkin juice bottle, the ingredients read: water, apple juice concentrate, pumpkin puree, apricot puree, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, acesulfame potassium, sodium benzoate. The last ingredients are sweeteners and food preservatives, while the natural and artificial flavors would include spices.
I’ll give you the copycat trick straight up. You need to simmer it. Mixing it together cold and leaving as is, doesn’t help release the spices. By heating, it infuses the spices with the juice, leaving you with a richer taste.
To replicate the pumpkin juice that you taste at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we’re making this recipe from scratch so anyone around the world can make it.
Can I use any type of pumpkin/squash to make pumpkin juice?
You might imagine a sugar pumpkin or a jack-o-lantern pumpkin when you reach for canned pumpkin, but in fact, most canned pumpkin is made from the species cucurbita moschata. For example, Libby’s uses a type of Dickinson squash, so the best alternative would be butternut squash or crookneck pumpkin, both of which are from the same species as the Dickinson.
These squash are best for baking due to their sweet and creamy taste and texture. You’ll also be able to find butternut squash easily in the UK and Australia.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
Pumpkin pie spice is a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. To make your own batch, mix together 1 part ground nutmeg, 2 parts ground cloves, 4 parts ground ginger and 8 parts ground cinnamon. Mix together well. Any additional spice can be stored in a small airtight container for future baking.
Can i make pumpkin juice in advance of my harry potter party?
Yes, but fresh is best, so I’d suggest whipping up a batch of pumpkin juice the day before your party.
Copycat Wizarding World of Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice recipe
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Re-live your memories at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter all over again! Whether you’re serving up this easy-to-make jug of pumpkin juice for a Harry Potter party or just to help get in the Halloween season mood, you’ll want to keep coming back to the recipe.
- Author: Bryton Taylor
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 litre 1x
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- half a butternut squash, seeds removed and 2 cups water
- OR 1 cup canned pumpkin and 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/4 cup pumpkin juice
- 3 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup apricot nectar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions
- If making from scratch, place half a butternut squash in a baking tray lined with a layer of water. Roast for ~40 minutes at 180C or 355F until soft when fork is pressed in.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- In a blender, scoop in the squash (discarding the skin) and water and blend. You can also put the pumpkin through the juicer, following it with water if you want a smoother texture. The pumpkin liquid that comes out is the ‘pumpkin juice’ we refer to moving forward. You can also use a strainer or finely woven cheesecloth to extract the liquid.
- In a saucepan, measure out 1 1/4 cups of pumpkin juice and combine with apple juice, apricot nectar, vanilla essence, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice and sugar.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 20-30 minutes. By simmering you’ll be reducing the water so it’ll have a more concentrated taste and will help the spices infuse with the juices, which plays a big part in the taste.
- Chill and serve (although served hot is wonderful too!)
Free downloadable Harry Potter pumpkin juice label
You can find replica Wizarding World pumpkin juice packaging over at Deviantart. However, I’ve also made an old-fashioned label that better matched the image in my head when I was reading the books. Download them for free below, then print them out on sticker paper to attach to your own glass bottles.
FREE DOWNLOADABLE HARRY POTTER PUMPKIN JUICE LABEL
