reading time: 2 min
He had stopped noticing the fantastic cloud shapes now and was thinking longingly of the train miles below, where you could buy ice-cold pumpkin juice from a trolley pushed by a plump witch.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J. K. Rowling
Along with chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, one of the most popular "treats" in Hogwarts and the Hogwarts express is pumpkin juice, a beverage that is usually served chilled.
Tomorrow is the 1st of September, aka the day that Harry, Ron, and Hermione catch the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and enter Hogwarts for the first time. Pumpkin season is also about to begin, so I thought it was only fitting to celebrate this day with a glass of ice-cold pumpkin juice like the one sold by the Trolley Witch on board the Hogwarts Express.
 Harry spilling pumpkin juice. (source) Most recipes I saw online used apple cider as the base for their copycat version, but since it's called pumpkin juice I thought it would be more authentic to use apple juice and orange juice instead. (Also because pumpkin juice is considered to be basically the OJ of the wizarding world.) See notes below on how to make this beverage even more juice-like!
This recipe for homemade pumpkin juice is super easy to make and great for a summer get-together. You could, however, even serve this warmed up with some more spices and a bit of whipped cream on top for a Halloween party. Kids will love it too! It's refreshing, naturally sweet, bright orange, and tastes best on a hot day, served over some ice. So make your own pumpkin juice and get aboard the Hogwarts Express asap! 
HARRY'S VEGAN PUMPKIN JUICE
Preparation time: 3 mins Main ingredients: apple juice, orange juice, pumpkin purée difficulty level: easy makes: 4 cups of juice suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free, yeast-free
Ingredients:
3/4 cup pumpkin purée (I make my own, see notes below – it is more flavourful than store-bought canned pumpkin purée) 2 cups apple juice 1 cup orange juice (or sub pineapple juice) 1/2 cup water 1 tsp honey, maple syrup or agave 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg) 1/2 tsp vanilla extract ice, to serve
Instructions:
Add
all the ingredients to a blender, and blitz until all incorporated. (Or use an immersion blender to blend, which won't be as smooth though.) Taste test, and add some more sweetener, or more spices, or even more pumpkin if you're into that. Pour into a pitcher and chill until required. Serve over ice. TIPPS & NOTES:
- I make my homemade pumpkin purée by scooping out the seeds of 1 medium hokkaido pumpkin, chopping it into chunks, steaming it for about 15-20 minutes until soft, and then blending it into a smooth purée using an immersion blender or a stand mixer. I leave the skins on for hokkaido, but make sure to remove the skins when using butternut squash.
- The consistency of this drink is very juice-like and not thick like a smoothie. If you want your juice even more runny, strain everything through a nut milk bag or a cheesecloth like I do with my green juice in a blender. - If you, however, prefer the juice to be creamier, more smoothie-like, feel free to skip the water and also add some more pumpkin purée, if you like.   Looking for more nerdy recipes? Check out some of my other Harry Potter inspired creations:
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