Pumpkin Juice

Welcome back, muggles, to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

If there are two drinks that one must try at the Harry Potter world, Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer would be my answer. Interestingly enough, Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, bottled water and beer are the only drinks that you will find there. The theme park does a clean job of maintaining J.K. Rowling's request of preserving her 'vision' by restricting food items to those that you will find in her Harry Potter series. So, if you have a sudden craving for Pepsi, or an orange soda, then you are out of luck, but know that there is nothing that a cold bottle of Pumpkin Juice and a frozen glass of Butterbeer won't quench at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Island of Adventure
(Orlando, FL)

 After lining up for hours at Honeydukes, I hurriedly led my dehydrated body to a refreshment counter to buy a bottle of Pumpkin Juice. 

Butterbeer cart at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
(Orlando, FL)

 Butterbeer carts can be spotted just outside of Hogwarts, and along the streets of Hogsmeade. Note that Pumpkin Juice comes prepared in a bottle, whereas Butterbeer is served fresh in a plastic cup or a mug (for extra charge, of course). 

The Magic Neep at Hogsmeade
(Wizarding World of Harry Potter, FL)

 The Magic Neep is one of the bigger refreshment stands in Hogsmeade. You can purchase Pumpkin Juice, beer, bottled water, or even a pretzel. Another odd thing to note is how easily accessible beer is around the theme park. Due to numerous carts that are stationed conveniently near long line-ups, it's not rare to spot adults with beer bottles in line or wondering around with their children. 

Pumpkin Juice at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
(Orlando, FL)

Pumpkin Juice ($.6.25) at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
(Orlando, FL)

 The pumpkin shaped cap is easily removable. Very easily removable. A simple touch or the slightest pressure on the cap is sufficient to pop it off. Don't be surprised when you enter a big crowd with the bottle in your hands and come out with the cap missing. Keep it in your bag.

Pumpkin Juice at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
(Orlando, FL)

 The taste of Pumpkin Juice at first is, to say the least, mysterious. The first sip left me wondering if I was capable of finishing the entire bottle. The extreme sweetness and cinnamon flavour first began to circle my mouth. Seconds later, the taste of gingerbread cookies (with a stronger emphasis on ginger might I add) attacked the back of my tongue with a hint of bitterness. It was only after a couple of careful additional sips that I realized it tasted somewhat like puréed pumpkin pie and gingerbread house. Now, some of you might be saying "Yum!", and others, not so much. 

Pumpkin Juice at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
(Orlando, FL)

One must note that this is a very sugary drink. Also, as much as I enjoy the occasional pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie around holiday times, I'm not sure if I would like to drink juice that tastes like blended pumpkin pie at almost every meal like Harry and his friends, who seem to drink it as casually as water. Perhaps wizards and witches are predisposed to eating high sugar content foods. Personally, Pumpkin Juice is something that I would like to enjoy and savour occasionally throughout the year much like pumpkin pies.

So I checked the ingredient content which listed: water, apple juice concentrate, pumpkin puree, apricot puree, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, acesulfame potassium, and sodium benzoate. Acesulfame potassium, which is a 0-calorie artificial sweetener, alongside sugar would explain the 48g of sugar (or possibly more if acesulfame potassium was not included as part of '48g of sugar'), and why it would be difficult to finish this intense sugary cocktail from concentrate. From a health and nutrition's perspective, one should take caution when consuming sugar and acesulfame potassium in large amounts, but then again, is there a point of arguing health and nutrition about foods served at a theme park?

I managed to ask about 15 others for their personal opinions, and they all seem to enjoy the unique, JK Rowling - approved, Pumpkin Juice. Maybe you will prove me wrong and tell me that it is something delightful enough to drink as much, and as often as Harry does. You have one way to find out - at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

Do you know why Harry is spitting out his beloved pumpkin juice?

Stay tuned for my final update on Butterbeer at Three Broomsticks!

-Potter