Purpose of apple juice in pumpkin butter?

[Satori]

I want to make this recipe and I can't figure out what to sub for the apple juice (we can't use pear either). We usually buy the traders joes stuff which does not have apple juice but since TJ's is an hour away and I can't afford $3 for a jar of the stuff and I have all the stuff to make it at home, I figured why not! But every recipe I've found calls for apple juice.

Suggestions?

[nikkiethridge]

Just from looking seems like it would be for liquid/flavor. I'd try water and maybe some extra sugar...

[Liquesce]

Google: pumpkin butter recipe -apple . There are several without juices, except perhaps for a little lemon.