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This Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice is an easy copycat of the drink served at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It has a sweet apple cider base with real pumpkin, warm pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and vanilla. Serve it cold over ice just like we had it at Universal Studios, or warm it up for a cozy fall drink. Best of all, it takes about 5 minutes to make!
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Perfect balance and utterly delicious!” – Edye
“This is the first recipe we tried that actually tasted like universal’s pumpkin juice! Thank you.” – Amanda
“Loved this one for our Harry Potter marathon weekend!!” – Jessica
The Pumpkin Juice I Had to Recreate at Home
As an avid Harry Potter fan, I always wondered what pumpkin juice would actually taste like. I finally got to try it during a visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, and I knew after that first sip that I wanted to recreate it at home.
What surprised me most was that it doesn’t taste like drinking straight pumpkin. Apple cider is really the star, with pumpkin adding body and a subtle earthy sweetness. Add a little pumpkin pie spice and vanilla, and you’ve got yourself the ideal fall beverage!
I also love how easy this version is. There is no simmering or complicated prep. Everything gets stirred together in a pitcher and it is ready to serve.
I usually drink it cold over ice, especially for Harry Potter movie nights and Halloween parties, but it is also really good warmed up in a mug when the weather turns cold.
🩷 Emily
Table of Contents
- 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Pumpkin Juice I Had to Recreate at Home
- What Does Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Taste Like?
- Ingredients for Pumpkin Juice
- Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- How to Make Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Make Ahead and Storage
- What to Serve with Pumpkin Juice
- Pumpkin-A-Plenty
- Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Recipe
What Does Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Taste Like?
If the idea of drinking pumpkin sounds a little strange, don’t worry. This isn’t thick like a pumpkin smoothie or creamy like a pumpkin spice latte.
Pumpkin juice tastes mostly like spiced apple cider with a smooth hint of pumpkin. The white and brown sugars add sweetness, pumpkin pie spice gives it warm cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, and allspice flavors, and vanilla ties everything together.
You can serve it:
- Cold over ice for the version closest to the drink I remember at Universal.
- Chilled without ice if you don’t want it diluted.
- Warm in a mug for a cozy fall drink.
- Sparkling by using sparkling apple cider for a fizzy variation.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Juice
- Apple cider – This makes up the base of the drink, so use an apple cider you already like. Fresh orchard cider is especially good, but store-bought cider works great too.
- Pumpkin puree – Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. It adds real pumpkin flavor, color, and a little body without making the drink too thick.
- White and brown sugar – Using both gives the juice sweetness with a little caramel flavor from the brown sugar.
- Pumpkin pie spice – This blend usually contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice and gives the drink its warm fall flavor.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla softens the stronger spice flavors and rounds out the cider and pumpkin.
- Optional garnishes – Cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices make each glass feel a little more special, especially for parties.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
This recipe is really easy to adjust depending on how sweet, fruity, or spiced you like your pumpkin juice.
- Apple juice: Apple juice works if you can’t find apple cider. The flavor will be a little lighter and usually sweeter.
- Fresh apple cider: If you have a local orchard or farm selling fresh cider, use it. The apple flavor is hard to beat.
- Apricot nectar: Apricot pairs really well with pumpkin and apple. You can replace a portion of the cider with apricot nectar for a slightly fruitier, fuller flavor.
- Peach or pear nectar: Either can be used if you can’t find apricot nectar.
- Sparkling apple cider: Use sparkling cider for a fizzy pumpkin juice. Mix the pumpkin, sugars, spices, and vanilla first, then gently stir in the sparkling cider shortly before serving so you don’t lose all the bubbles.
- Less sugar: Apple ciders vary quite a bit in sweetness. If yours is already very sweet, you can reduce the white and brown sugars. Several of our readers have even left them out completely.
- Homemade pumpkin puree: Homemade works too. If it is thinner or more watery than canned pumpkin, strain off some of the excess liquid first. You can make your own with our Homemade Pumpkin Puree recipe.
- Orange juice: You can substitute some orange juice for apple cider, but the finished drink will taste more like wassail than the original pumpkin juice.
- Extra pumpkin spice: If you like a stronger spice flavor, add a little more pumpkin pie spice to taste.
I don’t recommend using pumpkin pie filling in place of pure pumpkin puree. It already contains added sugar and spices, making it harder to control the flavor.
And definitely don’t use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider and apple cider vinegar are two very different things!
How to Make Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice
- Combine and Mix. Pour the apple cider into a large pitcher or drink dispenser. Add the pumpkin puree, white sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Stir or whisk until the pumpkin is evenly distributed and the sugars are dissolved as much as possible. For an extra-smooth drink, you can blend the juice in batches for 30 to 60 seconds and pour it back into the pitcher.
- Chill (or warm) and Serve. Serve the pumpkin juice immediately over ice, or refrigerate it until cold. If you prefer warm pumpkin juice, gently heat individual servings or warm the mixture in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Give the pitcher another really good stir immediately before pouring because the pumpkin and spices naturally settle. Garnish individual glasses with cinnamon sticks or apple slices if you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lot of people agree that it tastes like pumpkin pie in a cup!
No. This recipe uses non-alcoholic apple cider, which is commonly sold in the refrigerated juice section or produce section in the United States. Do not use hard cider or apple cider vinegar.
Yes! You can make this juice up to a week in advance if you store it in the fridge. The ingredients will settle so make sure to give it a really good stir before serving!
That’s normal. Pumpkin puree and ground pumpkin pie spice don’t completely dissolve into the cider. Stir the pitcher well before each serving. Blending the mixture can also help distribute everything more evenly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Pumpkin juice is a great make-ahead drink, which is one reason I love it for Halloween and Harry Potter parties.
Make ahead: Mix the pumpkin juice a day before your party and refrigerate it in a covered pitcher or drink dispenser. Give it a really good stir before serving.
Refrigerate: Keep leftover pumpkin juice covered in the refrigerator. I like it best within about 4 to 5 days for the freshest flavor.
Before serving leftovers: Don’t be surprised when you see pumpkin and spices at the bottom of the pitcher. Stir or shake the juice really well and everything will come back together.
For parties: Keep the pumpkin juice refrigerated until close to serving time. If you are using a drink dispenser, keep a long spoon nearby so you can stir it occasionally.
Read More: The BEST Pumpkin Dessert Recipes for Fall
What to Serve with Pumpkin Juice
This drink is so much fun for a Harry Potter movie marathon, Halloween party, or themed birthday. For the full Wizarding World experience, serve it alongside our Butterbeer, Frozen Butterbeer, and Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties.
For a fall or Halloween spread, add our Pumpkin Spice Steamer, Candy Apples, and Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds.
Pumpkin-A-Plenty
If you still have pumpkin left after making your juice, we have plenty of ways to use it!
- How to Make Pumpkin Puree – Three easy ways to make homemade pumpkin puree.
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – Soft pumpkin muffins loaded with chocolate chips.
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – Soft pumpkin cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar.
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Moist pumpkin bread that makes a great fall breakfast or snack.
You can also browse our Easy Pumpkin Desserts for even more fall favorites.
Every time I make this Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice, it takes me right back to trying it at Universal for the first time. I love that something so fun for a Harry Potter party can also be as simple as stirring a handful of ingredients into a pitcher.
Serve it cold over ice, warm it up on a chilly night, or make the sparkling variation for a party. However you serve it, don’t forget to give that pitcher one more good stir! 🎃🧡
Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 liters apple cider, apple juice works fine too
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Pour over ice in individual glasses, and top with cinnamon sticks and a straw. (Apple slices optional)
- Stir again before each serving to prevent settling.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Perfect balance and utterly delicious!
Can we add a soda or carbonated water to make this fizzy like the pumpkin fizz?
Sure! You can use carbonated apple cider as well!
Loved this one for our Harry Potter marathon weekend!! We’ve never tried pumpkin juice anywhere, and it was such a pleasant surprise and a great option for a fall drink! We cut it in half and decided to omit the brown & white sugar, but it probably depends on what type of cider is used. Left the sugar till the end and tasted the juice to decide. Served it chilled but not over ice.
Thanks for the recipe! We will definitely make it again. So easy & delicious.
Will definitely omit the sugar with my next batch.
What size pitcher did you use?
We have a two gallon drink dispenser that works great for this recipe!
I can’t wait to try this along with your Butter Beer recipe. Just one question about this one. In the typed ingredients it says to use 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, but yet in the video it’s not used. Was that a typo or did the video accidentally exclude that spice? I’d hate to make a mistake and up hating it being this will be my first time ever trying Pumpkin Juice. 😊
Oh, I just noticed that! When I made the video, I must have left it out. Oops! It does go in and its soooo yummy!!
This is the first recipe we tried that actually tasted like universal’s pumpkin juice! Thank you. We are huge HP fans and this bring us back memories of the Wizarding world
Great I’ll have it again
I loved this but I had trouble getting the pumpkin pie spice to dissolve. It isn’t lumpy but is noticeable. I stirred very well with a slotted spoon and a whisk. Is it supposed to be this way? Do you have a suggestion on dissolving the spice?
This juice does need a good stir before pouring, as the spices will be noticeable.
hello internet pals and gals,
I’m 89 years old and just started watching happy potter film. i love hedwig. this recipe sure made me a wizard with a pumpkin!
i love hedwig
Yay Bethee! We’re never too old for Harry Potter and Hedwig.
The video shows white and brown sugar, but the recipe only mentions sugar. Is it one cup each? Thanks for the recipes!
Thank you for that catch! Somehow along the way the brown sugar must have gotten removed from the recipe! I just fixed it to include the brown sugar.
Is it 115 oz or one 15 oz can of puree?
Its ONE 15 oz. Hope this helps!
For the pumpkin purée, is it 115 oz by weight or by volume?
Most cans of pumpkin puree you buy at the store are 15 oz, which is to say the can weighs 15 oz. It is about 1 & 3/4 cup of pumpkin puree. Hope this helps!
Your ingredients list calls for 115 ounces of the pumpkin…. did you mean 15 (as cans typically come in) or actually 115 ounces? Thanks and can’t wait to make it once I know! 🎃
It should read as (1) 15 ounce can! Hope you enjoy!
What do you do if you only have 1.53 L of Apple juice? Like what’s the measurement of Pumpkin then?
If I were you, I would do 4-5oz of pumpkin. Hope this helps!
Okay all! I did the following and it tastes the same!
4 packets Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Original (32 oz or 1 liter)
20 sugar cubes (ran out of sugar and had to use sugar cubes)
&
Everything else is the same!
It tastes exactly like what I had at HP World in Universal Studios Hollywood! You guys can add more packets of apple cider or more sugar cubes for even more flavor but I love his and I can’t wait to make it for my next party!
It’s also a GREAT treat during summer (when it’s 120 degrees outside)
Thanks for the suggestions! Definitely a great summertime drink when it is freakishly hot outside!
Can we do the apple cider bags? Does it have to be the apple juice?
Yes, you can use apple cider bags. It should still taste similar!
sounds realy good, but in the original pumpkin-juice at the Whizzarding World is also apricot juice. I tried it that way and it tasted allmost perfect.:-)
Ooh good to know! Had no idea about the apricot juice.. totally can see that being a part of it! Thanks for the tip!
Do you use apricot instead of apple. Or do you ad with the apple juice and how much?
I’ve used a couple of Tbsp. of apricot preserves in mine and that seems to work quite well.
I made this for Early Thanksgiving at my parent’s house & it was a big hit. Everyone really loved it, even my picky sister who says she doesn’t like pumpkin. 🙂
Thanks for the delicious recipe! My kids are already asking me to make more, lol.
So glad you liked it! 😀 I feel a Harry Potter marathon coming on.. haha
I’m confused by the “fizz” I think I will try to actually make a fizzy one and I will come back and share it with you. Thanks so much .
Can this be made in advance? Does it taste the same the next day?
Thanks
WYou can make it in advance and it will still taste fine the next day 🙂 Hope this helps
My daughter and son in law visited universal studios a year ago and for Christmas they bought me a bottle of pumpkin juice. I decided to drink it today. A year later, it was delicious.
I have never seen apple cider sold by the liter, at least not in my area, so for anyone else who might be wondering, 4 liters is a gallon. not trying to be a smarty, I was just confused so I looked it up.
Oh, and I will definitely be making this drink, it sounds awesome!
We loved this! I scaled the recipe down to make just two servings. If anyone is interested, here are the proportions I used: 2 cups apple cider, 2 oz. pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie extract, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla. I mixed the juice in a blender, and it worked great.
Thanks so much!
how many servings is this recipe for?
This recipe makes approximately 19 cups (8 ounces) of Pumpkin Juice. If you are using 8 ounce cups to serve, I would plan on 18 servings. If you are using a 12 ounce cup, plan on 12 servings. For a 16 ounce cup, plan on 9 servings. I hope this helps!
Could I skip or reduce the apple juice and pie spice and add spiced rum?
We haven’t tried it that way, but let us know how it turns out!
Just made this in a pitcher with Captain Morgan Cannon Blast on the side for the adults. It was very good.
Is that vanilla extract? In the recipie for the pumpkin juice? It just says vanilla
Yes, it is vanilla extract 🙂