Canning Homemade Cranberry Juice: A Holiday Tradition To Savor

As the holiday season approaches and cranberries start hitting the shelves around November, it’s the perfect time to embrace a delightful tradition – canning homemade cranberry juice. Not only does this process preserve the vibrant flavors of cranberries, but it also makes for a unique and homemade holiday gift. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to make and can cranberry juice while also exploring different variations to suit your taste preferences. So grab your balls, let’s can some cranberries!

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The Taste of Canned Cranberry Juice

Canned cranberry juice captures the essence of cranberries in a bottle, offering a balance of sweet and tart flavors. The natural acidity of cranberries, when canned, is mellowed by the preserving process, resulting in a smooth and refreshing juice that can be enjoyed all year round.

Ingredients and Equipment

Ingredients:

1. Fresh cranberries
2. Sugar (or alternatives like honey or stevia, depending on your preference)
3. Water

Equipment:

1. Canning jars with lids and bands
2. A large pot
3. Water bath canner
4. Canning tongs
5. Funnel
6. Ladle

Why Canning Cranberries is a Good Preservation Method

Canning cranberry juice is an excellent preservation method for several reasons:

1. Long Shelf Life: Canning extends the shelf life of cranberry juice, allowing you to enjoy the taste of freshly picked cranberries throughout the year.
2. Convenience: Canned juice is readily available for recipes, cocktails, or enjoying on its own, making it a versatile addition to your pantry.
3. Sustainability: Canning reduces food waste by allowing you to utilize the cranberry pulp for other recipes, such as making craisins.

Tips and Tricks for Success

1. Dissolve The Sugar: If using cane sugar or something similar, it’s best to dissolve the sugar in boiling water before pouring over the cranberries in the jar. This ensures that the sugar will not clump and rest at the bottom of the can once cooled.
2. Water Bath Canning: Cranberry juice can be safely canned in a water bath canner since the natural acidity of cranberries helps preserve the juice. Ensure the cans are submerged in boiling water during the canning process.
3. Optimal Waiting Time: To experience the best flavor, it’s advisable to let the canned cranberry juice rest for at least two weeks before consuming. This allows the flavors to mellow and meld for a more enjoyable taste.
4. Reducing Waste: After straining the cranberries for juice, don’t discard the pulp. Instead, use it to make craisins or cranberry sauce, minimizing food waste and maximizing your cranberry yield.

Making Canned Cranberry Juice

One bag of store-bought cranberries will typically yield about 2 quarts.

Homemade Cranberry Juice

A quick and easy was to preserve cranberries into a delicious homemade juice

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Rate

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Serving Size 1 Quart Jar

Equipment

• Quart canning jars with lids and rings
• Water Bath Canner
• Canning tongs
• Funnel
• Ladle

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar (optional)
• Boiling water

Instructions

Prepare Your Equipment:

• Start by preheating your oven to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your canning jars in the oven to sanitize them.
• Place the canning lids in a pot of boiling water to sterilize them. Keep them simmering on low heat to keep them hot.
• Also, wash the canning rings and have them ready.

Boil Water:

• In a large pot, bring water to a boil. You’ll use this to pour over the cranberries in the jars.

Prepare the Cranberries:

• Wash the fresh cranberries and sort through them, removing any damaged or spoiled ones.

Fill the Jars:

• Remove the hot, sanitized jars from the oven using oven mitts or canning tongs.
• For each quart jar, add 1 3/4 cups of fresh cranberries.

Add Sugar:

• Top the cranberries with 1/2 cup of sugar. Adjust the sweetness according to your preference.

Pour Boiling Water:

• Carefully pour the boiling water over the cranberries and sugar, filling the jar until you have approximately 1/2 inch of headspace. Ensure the cranberries are fully submerged.
• Stir the water to dissolve as much of the sugar as you can and remove any air bubbles.

Wipe the Rims:

• Use a clean cloth or paper towel soaked in white vinegar to wipe the rims of the jars to ensure there is no residue that could interfere with sealing.

Place Lids and Rings:

• Using a canning funnel, place the sterilized lids on top of the jars. Then screw on the rings until they are finger-tight, which means just snug enough to hold the lids in place but not overly tight.

Water Bath Canning:

• Place the filled and sealed jars in a water bath canner, ensuring they are fully submerged in the boiling water. The water should cover the jars by at least an inch. If not, add more boiling water.
• Process the jars in the water bath for 25 minutes.

Cool and Seal:

• After the processing time, carefully remove the jars from the water bath using canning tongs.
• Place the jars on a clean towel or cooling rack to cool. As they cool, you’ll hear the lids “pop,” indicating they are sealing properly.
• Once fully cooled, check the seals for a proper seal. If a jar didn't seal properly, store it in the refrigerator and use it within a few weeks.

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Recipe Variations

1. Sugar-Free Cranberry Juice: For a healthier option, substitute sugar with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Adjust the quantity to your taste.
2. Honey-Sweetened Cranberry Juice: Replace sugar with honey for a natural, earthy sweetness. Use honey in moderation, as it can be quite potent in flavor.
3. Additional Fruit Blends: For even more flavor, consider adding additional fruit to your canned cranberry juice. Pineapple, blueberries and apples all make great additions. Simply cut them up and add to your jar before processing for the same, 25 mintues for quarts.

Canning cranberry juice is a wonderful holiday tradition that lets you enjoy the vibrant flavors of cranberries all year round. With these detailed instructions and variations to suit your preferences, you can savor the taste of homemade cranberry juice and share it with family and friends during the holiday season. Happy canning!