This healthy butterbeer is a festive fall drink with a nod to Harry Potter fans! Pumpkin puts added nourishment and beautiful orange hue into this warming apple cider drink!
Easy to make with plenty of additional ideas for playing with the recipe!
Here is another one of those ‘recipes’ that came about as away to get more goodness into my kids without them necessarily knowing it.
Hot cocoa and hot apple cider seem synonymous with cold weather when you have kids. I already created a healthy hot chocolate I look forward to serving my kids, so it was time to convert a hot apple cider too.
But this recipe is so easy, I almost don’t even want to call it recipe! How about just a sneaky mom idea?!
No one has ever suspected that pumpkin in lurking within their beverage when trying this.
Healthy butterbeer tips
The key here with so few ingredients is quality.
First, find a delicious apple cider or fresh pressed apple juice with NO added sweetener. I have used all sorts of varieties, and most recently used Trader Joe’s Organic Apple Cider.
Second…get your hands on some fresh pumpkin puree! It has a light and fresh taste that disappears more easily into the drink….canned pumpkin has a much more pungent flavor, so you will have to use less if you go that route.
With a beautiful orangish hue, this beverage is worthy of any Harry Potter theme…even if it is not laden with butter, sugar, and cream (you COULD play with that if you wanted!!)
I love the books, but I am not a purist, and butter beer WAS a made-up drink in Rowling’s imagination..so here is MY interpretation!
Want some more healthy fall foods?
- Really easy, exceptional results: Paleo Caramelized Butternut Squash
- A unique fall side, these ‘buttery’ breaded Paleo Roasted Squash Slices.
- My Paleo Pumpkin Bread is wholesome and tender.
- A great way to start any morning, Paleo Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.
- This pumpkin shaped everything bagel cheese ball is too cute!
- I love a warm cup of golden milk to warm up on any fall day!
Butterbeer variations:
I provided the most basic straightforward variation below. But, there are some fun ways to play with this beverage!
- ‘Butterscotch’ variation: Omit citrus slices and add 2 tablespoons palm sugar, 2 Tablespoons butter or ghee, and a cup of ‘cream’ (coconut or thick nut milk, or grass fed cream). A splash of vanilla and sea salt. Puree in a blender to get frothy!
- Spices! Nutmeg. cinnamon, clove would all be perfect! A dash of pumpkin pie spice would also be tasty!
Healthy Butterbeer Recipe:
If you try this warming and cinnamon scented pumpkin apple cider, be sure to come back and leave a comment!
Butter Beer - Pumpkin Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh apple cider no sugars added
- 1 cup FRESH pumpkin puree how to linked above, if you choose canned, start with 1/2 cup and taste!
- 1 lemon slice optional
- 1 orange slice optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a simmer over medium heat.
- Simmer for 5-10 minutes to impart the citrus overtones if using.
- Remove citrus slices.
- Serve!
Notes
Nutrition
I am so happy I found this recipe! It looks cute and everything is so autumn (and without added sugar). Thank you so much for sharing it!
I just included in my blog post for favorite Thanksgiving drinks 🙂
Thanks Miyuki!
I’m obsessed with having warm holiday drinks to sip on. I love that this is so simple I can have it as often as I like!
Hi Tessa,
This sounds delicious, healthy and quite unique. Love the change from plain apple cider and adding the pumpkin. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted.
Oh my goodness…I am absolutely drooling over this. How perfect would this be for a fall party!? I’ve always wondered what that Harry Potter Butter Beer would taste like… 🙂 Genius!
Yes Michaell….the flavors AND the color of this would be perfect for any fall gathering! thanks for commenting!
Ahhhh! Pumpkin and apple come together. This sounds absolutely delicious- the perfect dish for the fall. And, your photographs are beautiful as well. It was lovely to find your blog through Gluten Free Fridays, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Kaila, thanks for stopping by!
What?! I’m in love with this recipe – it sounds fantastic and I love that it’s filled with so many good things. Love!
It is my favorite way to enjoy fresh pressed cider Sarah!! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh sneaky! Love it! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope your week is great!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
omg im the biggest harry potter fan!!! i’ve seen the butter beer starbucks drink but i like your healthier take on this! can’t wait to make this.
Hi Tessa,
Your Butter Beer is so clever! It must taste delicious, too. A great idea!
So simple but I can see how delicious this would be. I love that it is a wonderful twist to make apple cider special and unique.
I’d love to try this!
Tessa, this recipe looks awesome & it would be perfect for the Autoimmune Recipe Roundtable, if you’d like to link up:
Hi Tessa,
Love this recipe! So smart. My kiddos would totally dig this (and Scott). And your pictures looks so amazing. xoxo