Can you make prune juice taste good?

Prune juice has a reputation for being, well, prune-y. The concentrated juice made from dried plums is well known for its digestive benefits, but its strong, tart flavor can be off-putting to some. However, there are ways to make this nutrient-dense beverage more palatable. Read on to learn some simple tricks for improving the taste of prune juice.

What is Prune Juice?

Prune juice is made by liquefying dried plums, which are also known as prunes. Prunes are dried plums that have had their moisture content reduced. This concentrates the fruit’s natural sugars and flavors, giving prune juice its distinctive sweet-tart taste.

In addition to water and sugars, prune juice contains:¹

• Fiber
• Potassium
• Vitamin K
• B vitamins
• Antioxidants

The fiber, potassium, and antioxidants in prune juice make it beneficial for:²

• Relieving constipation
• Maintaining heart health
• Supporting bone strength

However, its concentrated flavor can be off-putting. Here are some tips for improving the taste:

Tips for Improving the Taste of Prune Juice

1. Dilute with water or juice

One of the easiest ways to mellow out the intense flavor of prune juice is by diluting it. Try mixing together:

• 1/2 cup prune juice
• 1/2 cup water

Or make it a juice blend by mixing prune juice with something milder and sweeter, like apple or orange juice. You can play around with proportions to find a flavor balance you enjoy.

2. Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, or sugar

A little sweetener can help offset the tartness of prune juice. Try adding a teaspoon or two of:

• Honey
• Maple syrup
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Stevia

Start with small amounts until you achieve the desired sweetness.

3. Add cinnamon, vanilla, or lemon

Complementary flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon can help mellow out the flavor of prune juice. Stir in a dash of:

• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon juice

Feel free to experiment with other spices and extracts too.

4. Heat it up

Warming up prune juice can help round out its sharp flavor. Gently heat your diluted or sweetened juice and enjoy it warm.

5. Make prune juice popsicles

For a refreshing treat, pour diluted prune juice into popsicle molds and freeze. Kids will love these homemade fruit juice popsicles.

6. Use in smoothies

The strong flavor of prune juice can be masked in smoothies. Blend it with bananas, Greek yogurt, milk, peanut butter, or chocolate protein powder for a nutritional powerhouse drink.

7. Mix into oatmeal or cereal

Stir a small amount of prune juice into your morning oatmeal or cereal. The cereal and milk help cut the intensity.

8. Bake it into muffins or cakes

Replace some of the liquid in baking recipes with prune juice for added nutrients and moisture. Prune juice works well in ³:

• Muffins
• Cakes
• Quick breads

Start by swapping out about 1/4 of the total liquid for prune juice.

Prune Juice Drink Recipes

Once you get comfortable with techniques for mellowing out the flavor of prune juice, try out some tasty prune juice drink recipes:

Sparkling Prune Juice Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup prune juice
• 1 cup lemon-lime sparkling water
• Lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions: Stir together prune juice and sparkling water. Add ice and garnish with lemon wedges.

Prune Juice Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 cup prune juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
• Orange slices for garnish

Instructions: Stir together juices and ginger ale/lemon-lime soda. Add ice and garnish with orange slices.

Spiced Prune Cider

Ingredients:

• 1 cup prune juice
• 3 cups apple cider
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until hot but not boiling.
3. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.

The Bottom Line

While prune juice may have an intense, tart flavor, there are many easy ways to improve its taste. Diluting, sweetening, heating, and blending it with other ingredients can help mellow out the flavor. With a few minor tweaks, you may discover a newfound appreciation for this nutrient-packed beverage.

So don’t write off prune juice just yet. With a little creativity and the seasoning tricks above, you may come to enjoy its unique sweet-tart taste.

References

1. California Dried Plum Board. “Nutrition.” https://californiadriedplums.org/about/prunes-and-health/nutrition/. Accessed August 23, 2023.
2. Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M. “Prune juice: the constipation cure.” Environmental Nutrition. 2013;36(2).
3. Bon Appétit. “Prune juice adds moisture and a subtle fruit flavor to these breakfast treats.” https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/prunes-and-prune-juice. Published May 24, 2021. Accessed August 23, 2023.