Share
As the weather begins to turn cooler, there's something comforting about bringing warm, earthy flavours into your everyday routine. Pumpkin, with its naturally mild sweetness, is one of those seasonal ingredients that deserves more attention than just a place in soups and pies. And if you've mostly enjoyed it in savoury preparations, here's another way to experiment with it.
A glass of homemade pumpkin juice, flavoured with a fragrant blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, makes an interesting seasonal drink. Your Usha's Fresh Pro Juicer can help extract fresh juice from prepared pumpkin, while apples and oranges can add a fruity sweetness that balances its earthy flavour. Here’s how to make autumn-inspired drink at your own home.
1. Start With Fresh Pumpkin Juice
The first step is to prepare the pumpkin. Choose a fresh, ripe pumpkin with firm flesh, remove the outer skin, seeds and fibrous centre, and cut it into small pieces. Check your Fresh Pro Juicer's instructions for suitable pumpkin preparation and whether the model can process raw pumpkin. Feed the prepared pieces into the juicer gradually and collect the extracted juice. Since pumpkin has a mild, earthy flavour and a thicker consistency than many fruits, you can combine it with a little fresh apple juice to make the drink smoother and naturally sweeter. Give the mixture a stir and taste before moving on to the spice blend.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Your Kitchen Needs Usha's Fresh Pro Juicer 
2. Prepare A Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend
The familiar pumpkin spice flavour comes from a combination of warming spices rather than pumpkin itself. To prepare your own blend, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl. You can add a pinch of allspice if you enjoy a slightly deeper flavour. Mix well and store the blend in a clean, airtight spice jar. Start with a pinch of this combination while you're making your pumpkin juice and add more or less as you want. The idea is to complement the pumpkin rather than overpower its mild flavour.
3. Add Apple For Natural Sweetness
Pumpkin and apple are a great combo; the fruit lends sweetness and subtle acidity. Take a fresh apple, wash, core and chop it into pieces that fit your juicer. Extract the juice with your Fresh Pro Juicer and blend it with the prepared pumpkin juice. Add a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and taste. If the apple is sweet enough on its own, you may not even need a sweetener. Serve chilled or at room temperature, as preferred.
4. Bring In Orange For A Citrusy Autumn Twist
If you're not a fan of the earthy taste of pumpkin juice alone, adding orange zest can really bring out the flavour. Prepare fresh oranges for juicing by peeling them, removing their seeds and adding them to your pumpkin mixture. Toss in a dash of ginger and cinnamon, and mix well. The drink is made lighter by the citrusy undertones and scented with a warm, seasonal pumpkin spice. Add some colour by placing a tiny orange slice on the glass as a garnish before serving.
Image Credit: Canva Library
5. Make It Creamier With A Banana And Milk Twist
For a more filling, smoothie-style version, combine pumpkin juice with ripe banana and milk. Add the prepared pumpkin juice, half a ripe banana, a little milk and a pinch of pumpkin spice blend to a mixer or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting the milk to reach your preferred consistency. The banana lends natural sweetness and body, while the cinnamon and nutmeg bring the familiar pumpkin spice flavour. You can finish the drink with a light dusting of cinnamon or a few chopped nuts. This variation is best enjoyed immediately and is a nice option for a breakfast drink.
6. Serve A Chilled Pumpkin Spice Cooler
Pumpkin spice doesn’t necessarily have to be a heavy drink. Make a lighter version by mixing fresh pumpkin juice with apple juice, a splash of orange juice, lemon juice and a teaspoon of your homemade spice blend. Mix well and chill in the fridge. Serve over ice and decorate with a cinnamon stick or a tiny piece of apple. If the spice sinks to the bottom, stir the drink again before serving. It’s a simple way to get your seasonal pumpkin fix, even if you like your drinks cold.
Image Credit: Unsplash
