3 Healthy Homemade Cranberry Juice Recipes

To be honest, I usually drink cranberry juice occasionally as a mixed drink for alcohol… but after brushing up on my knowledge of its benefits and checking out the cranberry juice recipes below, I definitely want to drink it more often for my well-being (and not just for fun).

Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

If, like me, you limit your cranberry juice consumption to adult beverages, you may be surprised to learn that the juice itself can offer powerful health benefits. “Cranberries and cranberry juice are a great source of vitamin C and vitamin E, two powerful antioxidants,” shares registered dietitian Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD, CDN, founder of BZ Nutrition. It’s also packed with phytonutrients, she adds — beneficial compounds found naturally in plants. “This triple threat is what gives cranberry juice its health benefits and can boost your overall health and well-being.”

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Because cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants, it helps fight free radicals and cell damage that can lead to inflammation and disease if left unchecked. “Cranberry juice has been linked to lowering the risk of certain chronic conditions, such as heart disease,” Zeitlin adds. Drinking cranberry juice has specifically been linked to lower cholesterol levels¹ And blood pressure²—two factors that can influence the risk of heart disease.

Zeitlin says the anti-inflammatory benefits of cranberry juice can also benefit your gut and digestion. (Less inflammation = happier, healthier gut with fewer GI issues.) Cranberry juice can even play a role in your oral health regimen, she says. “Another benefit of cranberry juice is that it can help prevent gum disease and plaque buildup on your teeth.” The more you know!

That being said, cranberry juice’s biggest claim to fame is its protective powers against urinary tract infections³“Cranberries are a great source of the phytonutrient proanthocyanidins, which research has shown to actually work to stop bacteria⁴ from attaching to the lining of your urinary tract,” Zeitlin explains. “If the bacteria can’t attach to the lining, they can’t grow and spread, and they can’t cause an infection.” One caveat: While your favorite cranberry juice recipe may be an effective addition to your UTI prevention protocol, it won’t treat or magically cure a UTI that’s already underway.

Tips for Making Your Own Cranberry Juice Recipe

As beneficial as cranberry juice can be, Zeitlin warns that it’s often a hefty source of sugar. “Cranberry juice can be super refreshing, but it’s also a concentrated form of sugar compared to eating two tablespoons of cranberries themselves,” she says. To keep your intake within healthy limits, she advises:

• Buy cranberry juice that is clearly labeled as 100 percent juice, rather than cranberry juice cocktails or cranberry drinks. Both tend to be the most sugary.
• A simple recipe using half a cup of cranberry juice and half a cup of sparkling (or still) water.
• Add lime for a more natural flavor.

To satisfy your cranberry cravings without the sugar, Zeitlin recommends purchasing cranberry tea bags and making your own recipe, hot or cold, using the sour tea as a base.

Note: Zeitlin cautions that people who take blood-thinning medications should check with their healthcare team before adding these cranberry juice recipes (or cranberry supplements) to their regimen. People who are allergic to aspirin (or who already take aspirin regularly) should also limit their cranberry juice intake, since cranberries contain salicylic acid, a compound also found in aspirin.

3 Healthy Cranberry Juice Recipes

1. Cranberry Apple Ginger Juice

This 4-ingredient cranberry juice recipe, courtesy of Reboot with Joe, was developed by a registered dietitian. Apples (green or red) provide sweetness and heart-healthy polyphenols; ginger offers an anti-inflammatory, digestion-boosting zing; and kale (my personal leafy green of choice) is packed with a variety of micronutrients, including calcium, vitamin C, carotenoids, and antioxidants.

Here is the recipe: Cranberry Apple Ginger Juice

2. Homemade cranberry juice

On the hunt for an easy to make homemade cranberry juice with no added sugar And No juicer needed? This homemade cranberry juice recipe from Champagne Tastes is what you’re looking for. Simply bring 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries and 5 cups water to a boil. Once the cranberries start to burst, mash them to squeeze out more of their sticky juice. Boil for 5 minutes, strain through a sieve, let cool, and enjoy.

Here is the recipe: Homemade Cranberry Juice

3. Cranberry Kombucha Recipe

Even though I’ve loved kombucha for years, I’ve never made my own… but this cranberry kombucha recipe from Crave the Good has me thinking I’m long overdue for a DIY. This fermented cranberry juice recipe also calls for a navel orange to complement the tartness of the cranberries with refreshing citrus notes. While this recipe does take time and effort (from the sanitizing and syrup making to the fermenting and chilling), consider it a labor of love and remember that good things are worth the wait.

Here is the recipe: Cranberry Kombucha Recipe