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diy cranberry juice from fresh cranberries

(2 ratings)
frenchtutor avatar
Recipe by
Susan Feliciano
@frenchtutor
Oak Ridge, TN

I don't like all the sugar found in most cranberry juices, and even those without sugar are usually diluted with apple, grape, or pear juice. If you're looking for pure cranberry juice, whether for health reasons or just plain goodness, try this recipe. I love the fact that you can choose to use real sugar or honey, or Stevia or Splenda to sweeten it, or even half of each, to control the calories. I have also done this with frozen cranberries, because the fresh are not always available. Let them thaw before using.

(2 ratings)
yield 1 quart
prep time 20 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For diy cranberry juice from fresh cranberries

  • 4 c
    fresh cranberries (about 2 bags)
  • 1 Tbsp
    fresh lemon juice
  • 2 c
    water (use distilled or spring water for purity)
  • 1 c
    granulated sugar
  • **OR, FOR SUGAR-FREE, USE ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW**
  • 1 1/4 c
    stevia-in-the-raw or splenda, **or**
  • 7/8 c
    light honey, like clover or orange blossom
  • additional water to taste

How To Make diy cranberry juice from fresh cranberries

  • 1
    Place the 2 cups of water and lemon juice into a scrupulously clean blender container. Add the 4 cups of cranberries.
  • 2
    Blend on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes. If your blender is very powerful, 2 minutes may be sufficient. I blended mine for the full 3 minutes. You want to arrive at a thick liquid with no solid chunks. Place the lidded blender container in the refrigerator overnight to steep.
  • 3
    Remove the container in the morning. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer into a medium saucepan. Press to remove all juice. Discard any solid material, or use it to make jam (see my other recipe).
  • 4
    Add the sugar (or Stevia, Splenda, or honey) to the juice and heat gently over medium heat just until the sugar or sweetener is dissolved. This will not take long, especially with the calorie-free sweeteners. Do not boil this liquid, just warm it up to aid the dissolving of the sugar.
  • 5
    Remove from heat and add 1 cup of cold water. You may add more or less water, depending on your tastes. Less water will yield a sweeter cranberry juice. I used 1 1/2 cups, and it was perfect for me.
  • 6
    Transfer the cranberry juice to a drink pitcher, and chill in refrigerator before serving. You can also add ice cubes to speed the chilling process.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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