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Festive unsweetened cranberry juice with ice, rosemary, and sugared rim in a glass
Clara- cooking inspired

The Ultimate Unsweetened Cranberry Juice to Recharge Body & Mind

Enjoy a clean and refreshing homemade drink with this unsweetened cranberry juice recipe. Made with just cranberries and water, it's naturally tart, antioxidant-rich, and completely sugar-free. Perfect for detox routines, daily hydration, or as a base for smoothies and mocktails, this simple recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal ingredients. A great alternative to sugary store-bought juices, and ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Beverage, Detox, Homemade
Cuisine: American
Calories: 45
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound 450 g fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 6 cups filtered water
Optional add-ins (for flavor, no sugar):
  • 1 lemon slice
  • 1 orange peel
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • A few mint leaves

Method
 

  1. Rinse the cranberries thoroughly with cold water. No need to thaw frozen ones.
  2. Rinsing fresh cranberries under cold running water in a kitchen colander
  3. Add cranberries and water to a large pot. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Cranberries gently boiling in a stainless steel pot on the stove
  5. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop and soften.
  6. Cranberries simmering in a pot with some berries bursting and releasing juice
  7. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  8. Cooked cranberry mixture cooling in the pot after simmering
  9. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Press the pulp to extract as much juice as possible.
  10. Straining cranberry juice through a fine mesh strainer into a glass bowl
  11. Add optional flavor boosters like lemon, cinnamon, or mint into the bottle while warm.
  12. Transfer to a clean glass bottle or jar. Store in the fridge.
  13. Homemade unsweetened cranberry juice in a clear glass bottle ready for refrigeration
  14. Shake before serving. Keeps fresh for 5 to 7 days.

Notes

  • For stronger flavor, use less water (4–5 cups).
  • Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays for smoothies or mocktails.
  • Add a splash of orange or apple juice when serving if the juice is too tart.
  • Allergen & Diet Info:
  •  Sugar-free
  • Vegan
  •  Gluten-free
  •  Whole30 & Paleo-friendly
  •  No preservatives or concentrates