If you're trying to relieve constipation or get more fiber into your diet, blend a batch of prune juice. Since homemade prune juice just uses prunes and water, you'll avoid artificial sweeteners and preservatives that are in storebought prune juice. Strain your prune juice and enjoy a drink that's naturally high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin K. If you don't like the taste of prune juice on its own, mix up a prune juice smoothie with yogurt and spices.

Things You Should Know

  • Put 5-6 prunes in a bowl with 14 cup (59 mL) of hot water for 30 minutes.
  • Blend the soaked prunes in 34 cup (180 mL) of additional water for 30-60 seconds.
  • Strain and chill the juice before you drink it.
  • You can add spices, apple juice, ice, or a dash of vanilla to the blender if you want to improve the flavor of your prune juice.

Ingredients

  • 5 to 6 prunes
  • 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water

Makes 1 cup (240 ml) of juice

  • 3 pitted prunes
  • 12 cup (120 ml) of hot water
  • 34 cup (180 ml) of prune juice or apple juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) of vanilla yogurt
  • 1/8 teaspoon (0.3 g) of cinnamon
  • 12 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (70 g) of crushed ice
  • Sprig of mint or fresh berries for garnish

Makes 1 serving

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Basic Prune Juice

  1. 1
    Place 5 to 6 prunes into a bowl with 14 cup (59 ml) of the hot water. Use boiling hot water or run hot water from the tap. Keep in mind that the water won't cover the prunes completely.[1]
    • You can also flavor the prunes by using a different soaking liquid. For example, soak the prunes in hot apple juice or hot tea.
  2. 2
    Soak the prunes for 30 minutes or until they're soft. Leave the bowl of prunes to soak at room temperature until they soften and absorb most of the water. They should swell a little too.
    • If the prunes were very dry, they may need to soak longer.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Blend the soaked prunes with the remaining 34 cup (180 ml) of water. Transfer the softened prunes along with any water left in the bowl into a blender and pour in the remaining hot water. Then, put the lid on and blend the prunes until they're completely smooth.[2]
    • This may take between 30 seconds and 1 minute, depending on how strong your blender is.
  4. 4
    Pour the prune juice through a fine-mesh strainer. Set the strainer over a large serving glass and slowly pour the prune juice through it. To get all of the juice, push against the strainer with the back of a spoon.[3]
    • If you don't want to spill the juice as you strain it, you can strain it into a large measuring jug or bowl before pouring it into a serving glass.
  5. 5
    Chill the prune juice before you drink it. Add ice to the serving glass and drink 12 to 1 cup (120 to 240 ml) of prune juice a day to stimulate bowel movements. You may prefer to drink the juice in the morning before you leave your house if you think you'll need to pass stool.[4]
    • If you'd like your prune juice sweeter, stir in honey according to your taste. If you'll be giving the juice to a baby under 12 months, avoid using honey because of the risk of botulism.
    • You can store extra prune juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

    Tip: You can give prune juice to a constipated baby who's over 6 months old. Start by giving the baby 14 to 12 cup (59 to 118 ml) a day to help them pass a stool.

  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Spiced Prune Juice Smoothie

  1. 1
    Soak 3 prunes in 12 cup (120 ml) of hot water for 15 minutes. Put the pitted prunes into a small bowl and pour hot water from the tap into it. Then, leave the prunes to sit at room temperature so they soften and swell.
    • If you prefer, soak the prunes in hot tea or fruit juice.
  2. 2
    Drain the prunes and put them into a blender. Place a colander or fine-mesh strainer into the sink and pour the prunes into it so the water drains away. Transfer the softened prunes into a blender.
    • The prunes will cool as they soak, so they won't be hot at this point.
  3. 3
    Add the juice, yogurt, vanilla, spices, and ice to the blender. Pour 34 cup (180 ml) of prune juice or apple juice into the blender and scoop in 1/4 cup (60 g) of vanilla yogurt. Add 1/8 teaspoon (0.3 g) of cinnamon, 12 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of pure vanilla extract, 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, and 1/2 cup (70 g) of crushed ice.
    • If you're trying to relieve constipation, you could also use pear juice instead of prune or apple juice.
    • For an even sweeter smoothie, blend in a ripe banana.

    Tip: Try this smoothie with your favorite flavor of yogurt. Try blackberry or peach yogurt, for instance, or use Greek yogurt for a thicker smoothie.

  4. 4
    Blend the smoothie for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Place the lid on the blender and turn it on so the ingredients combine. Keep blending until the prunes are pureed and the ice becomes completely smooth.[5]
    • You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender a few times.
  5. 5
    Pour the smoothie into a serving glass. Garnish the smoothie with a sprig of mint or a few fresh berries. Then, drink the smoothie before the ice begins to melt. You can drink 1 prune juice smoothie a day to encourage regular bowel movements.[6]
    • If you like your smoothie extra cold, fill the serving glass with ice before you pour the smoothie into it.
  6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Should I take prune juice on a empty stomach or what is the best time?
    Annabeth33chase55
    Annabeth33chase55
    Community Answer
    An empty stomach is the best for the filling smoothie, and the prune juice doesn’t matter.
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

Basic Prune Juice

  • Measuring cup
  • Bowl
  • Blender
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Serving glass

Spiced Prune Juice Smoothie

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Bowl
  • Colander or fine-mesh strainer
  • Blender
  • Serving glass

About This Article

Jessica Gibson
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Gibson is a Writer and Editor who's been with wikiHow since 2014. After completing a year of art studies at the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in History. Jessica also completed an MA in History from The University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 57,781 times.
17 votes - 85%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: March 4, 2023
Views: 57,781
Categories: Featured Articles | Juice
Article SummaryX

To make a basic prune juice, place 5 or 6 prunes in a bowl with ¼ cup of hot water. Let the prunes soak in the bowl for 30 minutes, or until they become nice and soft. The prunes should soak up most of the water in the bowl. Pour the contents of the bowl into a blender and add ¾ cup of hot water, then blend the mixture for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it’s smooth. Pour the blended prunes through a strainer to remove the solids. Chill the juice in the fridge or add ice before serving it. To find out how to make a spiced prune smoothie, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement