Canned Cranberry Juice
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Boiling Water Bath Processing Time: 25 minutes
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Infusion / Rest Time: 4 to 6 weeks (for optimal flavor extraction)
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Shelf Life: Up to 18–24 months when stored in a cool, dark pantry
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients
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4 cups fresh or frozen whole cranberries (1 cup per quart jar; pick through to remove any soft or bruised berries)
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1 to 2 cups granulated sugar (1/4 to 1/2 cup per quart jar, adjusted to your taste preference)
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Boiling water (approximately 3.5 to 4 quarts)
Pro Tip on Sweetness: Whole cranberries are naturally high in quinic and malic acids, giving them a sharp, tart edge. Using 1/3 cup of sugar per quart creates a balanced, semi-sweet juice similar to artisanal shop blends. If you prefer unsweetened juice, omit the sugar entirely during canning and sweeten individual glasses with honey or simple syrup right before serving.
Equipment Needed
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Water bath canner with an interior rack
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4 Mason jars (quart size) with new canning lids and rings
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Jar lifter and bubble debubbler (or clean silicone spatula)
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Canning funnel and magnetic lid wand (optional)
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Clean kitchen towels
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Serve Your Home-Canned Juice
When your juice has finished aging and you are ready to drink it:
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Strain: Pour the contents of the quart jar through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass pitcher to separate the spent berries from the clear ruby juice. (Don’t throw away the leftover berries — fold them into oatmeal, bake them into quick breads, or blend them into fruit smoothies!)
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Chill & Dilute: Serve over ice. If the juice feels too concentrated, dilute it with a splash of cold water or chilled sparkling water.
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Mix: Use it as a vibrant base for holiday mocktails, festive spritzers, or classic cocktails like Cosmopolitans and Cranberry-Gins.
Processing Time Adjustments for Altitude
Higher elevations lower the boiling point of water. Adjust boiling water bath processing times based on your elevation:
| Elevation (Feet) | Additional Time | Total Processing Time (Quarts) |
| 0 – 1,000 ft | Standard | 25 minutes |
| 1,001 – 3,000 ft | + 5 minutes | 30 minutes |
| 3,001 – 6,000 ft | + 10 minutes | 35 minutes |
| 6,001 – 8,000 ft | + 15 minutes | 40 minutes |
| 8,001 – 10,000 ft | + 20 minutes | 45 minutes |
Nutrition Information
The nutritional breakdown per 8 oz serving (calculated using 1/3 cup sugar per quart jar):
| Nutrient | Amount per 8 oz Serving | % Daily Value (DV) |
| Calories | 85 kcal | * |
| Total Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 22 g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | 4% |
| Total Sugars | 20 g | * |
| Added Sugars | 16 g | 32% |
| Protein | 0.2 g | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 14 mg | 15% |
| Calcium | 7 mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 42 mg | 1% |
