Pumpkin Juice or Pumpkin Apple Cider

I invite you to follow my stream of consciousness...

I love Harry Potter and the Wizarding World so much. I love fall with an equal amount of affection because it is the perfect time to listen to Harry Potter audiobooks. Apple cider is one of the best things about fall. How about I make Pumpkin Apple Cider and I'll call it Pumpkin Juice for all of my Harry Potter parties?

I really wanted to pull off a great Pumpkin Juice recipe Harry Potter movie night I was planning with my friend. (Yeah, it was a family movie night, but really it was an excuse for the moms to watch Harry Potter.) Unfortunately, my budget is on the small side and I have yet to make it to Harry Potter World, let alone taste actual Pumpkin Juice, so I had no idea what a great Pumpkin Juice recipe looked or tasted like. After doing some research online I decided I couldn't find what I was looking for- a recipe with no added sugars, all natural ingredients, and one that was easy to brew up. So, like the Little Red Hen that I am, I decided to make it myself!

Though the Harry Potter books talk about ice cold pumpkin juice, this recipe is for a warm version. It is a healthy pumpkin apple cider, full of cinnamon, freshly grated ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. That's it! The secret is to let the juice simmer for at least an hour, allowing the spices time to blossom and all flavors to intensify. I did try using ground cinnamon and ginger, but the drink felt too grainy. In a pinch though, it would work.

Because of the pumpkin puree, the cider is a little thick- think a creamy cup of cocoa or orange juice with pulp. If you are against drinks with texture, feel free to strain the Pumpkin Juice after simmering. However, I loved leaving the flakes of ginger, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks in the juice.

This Pumpkin Juice, (or Pumpkin Apple Cider), is fragrant, healthy, and delicious. Serve it up for a fall Potter-themed party, or be the cool house on Halloween with hot cider for chilly trick-or-treaters!

Pumpkin Juice or Pumpkin Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts (64 oz) apple juice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 tsp freshly grated gingerroot
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cup pumpkin puree

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot with a whisk over medium-high heat.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium low, uncovered.
3. Let cider simmer for 1 hour, stirring occsionally. Feel free to let it simmer longer as the the longer the simmer, the more intense the flavor!
4. Serve in mugs, with perhaps some Pumpkin Pie Blondies or Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Bake the bread. Share the slices, my muggle friends.