What can I mix with prune juice?

Prune juice is made from dried plums, also known as prunes. It is high in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. While prune juice on its own has a strong, tart flavor, there are many options for making it more palatable by mixing it with other ingredients.

Why Drink Prune Juice?

Before exploring what mixes well with prune juice, let’s first go over some of the key benefits of drinking prune juice:

• Relieves constipation – Prune juice is effective at stimulating bowel movements due to its high fiber content, as well as the natural laxative effects of prunes.
• Supports heart health – The potassium in prune juice helps control blood pressure.
• Provides antioxidants – Prunes contain antioxidant compounds that combat free radical damage in the body.
• Aids digestion – The fiber in prune juice helps promote regularity and improves gut health.
• Strengthens bones – Prune juice contains vitamin K, manganese and boron to support bone density.

For these reasons, incorporating some prune juice into your diet can provide valuable health benefits. But not everyone enjoys drinking plain prune juice. By mixing it with certain ingredients, you can make it more enticing.

Mixing Prune Juice with Other Juices

One of the simplest ways to improve the flavor of prune juice is by blending it with other fruit juices. Here are some tasty juice combinations:

Prune Juice and Apple Juice

Apple juice adds sweetness to balance out the tartness of prune juice. Mix a half cup of each and enjoy the smooth, fruit-filled flavor. Shake it over ice for an extra refreshing drink.

Prune Juice and Orange Juice

For a tangy citrus twist, combine prune juice with orange juice. Mix 3/4 cup prune juice with 1/4 cup orange juice. The vitamin C in orange juice also boosts iron absorption from the prune juice.

Prune Juice and Cranberry Juice

The tart flavors of prune juice and cranberry juice complement each other perfectly. Mix equal parts prune juice and cranberry juice over ice for a bright, invigorating blend.

Prune Juice and Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice adds a pop of sweet and tart flavor. Combine 2/3 cup prune juice with 1/3 cup pomegranate juice for a smooth, antioxidant-rich beverage.

Prune Juice and Grape Juice

The concord grape flavor pairs nicely with prune juice. Make a juice blend using 1/2 cup each of prune juice and grape juice for a refreshing treat.

Mixing Prune Juice with Milk, Yogurt and Ice Cream

In addition to juices, prune juice also mixes nicely with dairy products. The creaminess helps mellow out the strong prune flavor.

Prune Juice and Milk

Milk is a classic choice for tempering acidic juices. Combine 1/2 cup prune juice with 1/2 cup cold milk. Shake over ice for a cooling drink.

Prune Juice and Yogurt

For a probiotic boost, use plain, unsweetened yogurt. Whisk together 1/3 cup prune juice and 2/3 cup yogurt until smooth. Add some crushed ice to make a yogurt smoothie.

Prune Juice and Ice Cream

Turn prune juice into a fun dessert by blending it with your favorite ice cream. Use 1 scoop of ice cream plus 1/4 cup prune juice for a sweet treat.

Mixing Prune Juice with Tea and Coffee

Prune juice can also be incorporated into hot beverages like tea and coffee.

Prune Juice and Black Tea

Brew a cup of black tea and add a splash of prune juice as a flavorful addition. The tannins in black tea complement the prune juice nicely.

Prune Juice and Green Tea

For an antioxidant-rich combo, mix together cooled green tea with prune juice. Use a ratio of approximately 3/4 cup green tea to 1/4 cup prune juice.

Prune Juice and Coffee

Add 2-3 tablespoons of prune juice to your morning coffee for a hint of sweetness and a fiber boost. Cafe mocha is another great choice.

Mixing Prune Juice into Smoothies

Smoothies are a fantastic way to incorporate prune juice using frozen fruits and veggies to mask the flavor. Here are some tasty combinations:

Prune Juice Berry Smoothie

• 1/2 cup prune juice
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 banana
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey (optional)

Prune Juice Green Smoothie

• 1/3 cup prune juice
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tablespoon nut butter

Prune Juice Tropical Smoothie

• 1/4 cup prune juice
• 1 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tablespoon shredded coconut

Mixing Prune Juice into Baked Goods and Desserts

You can also incorporate prune juice into baked goods and desserts. Prune juice works well in items like:

• Muffins – Replace 1/4 cup of the liquid with prune juice
• Quick breads – Substitute 1/3 cup prune juice for 1/3 cup milk or water
• Cakes – Use prune juice instead of water when mixing the batter
• Cookies – Add 2-3 tablespoons prune juice to the dough
• Puddings – Mix in 1-2 tablespoons prune juice as a sweetener

The fiber and nutrients in prune juice make it a healthy addition to sweets. It also adds moisture for improved texture.

Potential Side Effects of Too Much Prune Juice

While prune juice can be safely consumed daily, excessive amounts may cause some adverse effects like:

• Diarrhea – Too much can lead to loose stools.
• Abdominal cramping – Excess fiber draws water into the intestines.
• Gas and bloating – Prune juice ferments in the colon, producing gas.
• Electrolyte imbalance – Overdoing it can disrupt electrolyte levels.

To avoid issues, limit prune juice to 8-12 ounces per day. Mixing it with other beverages and foods lets you reap the benefits while keeping quantities in check.

The Best Mix-Ins for Prune Juice

To recap, some of the tastiest and most nutritious mix-ins for prune juice include:

Beverages	Foods
Apple juice	Greek yogurt
Orange juice	Ice cream
Cranberry juice	Bananas
Pomegranate juice	Berries
Grape juice	Spinach
Milk	Avocado
Black tea	Mango
Green tea	Pineapple
Coffee	Coconut

Conclusion

While prune juice is an acquired taste, there are many simple ways to make it more palatable. Mixing it with juices, smoothies, milk, yogurt, coffee, and tea improves the flavor significantly. Additionally, adding prune juice to baked goods and desserts allows you to reap the digestive and antioxidant benefits while enjoying the sweet flavors. With a little creativity, you can find the perfect prune juice combo that suits your tastes.