This drink is one of the best ways to sneak in vegetables into a fussy child’s diet. I am sure that the idea of drinking Harry Potter’s favorite drink will definitely appeal to them.
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Pumpkin Juice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Despite being sweet and rich this drink is very low in calories.
Ingredients
- Cubed Pumpkin pieces- 2 cups
- Cinnamon- 1" stick
- Star anise- 1
- Cloves-3
- Apple juice- 250ml
- Orange juice- 150ml
- Honey- 1-1/2tbsp
- Sugar- 2tbsp
- Cinnamon powder- 1/2tsp for garnish
Instructions
- In a thick bottomed vessel, combine the pumpkin pieces along with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Add one cup of water and cook on low flame till completely tender. Take off the heat, discard the spices and set aside to cool completely.
- In a blender jar, combine the cooked pumpkin, along with the apple juice, orange juice, honey and sugar and blend till completely smooth.
- Pour the juice in individual glasses, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon powder on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- I personally like this drink with a thick smoothie like consistency.
- But if you prefer the juice to be a little thinner, then you can increase the quantity of the apple juice or orange juice.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Juice
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 110
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to roast the pumpkin first, or does it go in raw?
It goes in raw, cubed, and simmered. Add two cups of pumpkin pieces to a thick-bottomed vessel with the cinnamon stick, star anise, and three cloves, then pour in one cup of water and cook on low until the pumpkin is completely tender. Discard the whole spices, let everything cool fully, and then blend with the apple juice, orange juice, honey, and sugar. Starting with raw pumpkin and simmering it with the spices is what gives the juice its depth.
Can I adjust how thick or thin the juice comes out?
Yes, and it is easy to dial in. The blended base is naturally thick, close to a smoothie consistency, which is how I prefer it. If you want it thinner, add a splash more apple juice or orange juice before blending and taste as you go. The ratio in the recipe is 250 ml apple juice to 150 ml orange juice, which gives a lightly sweet, warmly spiced result. More apple juice brightens it; more orange juice adds a citrus lift.
How should I serve this and can I make it ahead?
Serve it chilled, poured into individual glasses with a pinch of cinnamon powder dusted on top. The recipe makes four servings. You can blend the full batch ahead of time and refrigerate it for a few hours, but give it a good stir or quick shake before serving since the pumpkin solids will settle. The honey and sugar keep it sweet without going heavy, and the spiced warmth from the cinnamon and star anise carries through even when the drink is cold.
