Homemade Cranberry Juice (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Easy Homemade Cranberry Juice

Now that it’s cranberry season, and fresh cranberries are available everywhere, it’s time to make everything cranberry (especially if you tend to return home with bags of cranberries this season)!

From cranberry sauce, cranberry orange bread, to cranberry pie and cranberry bread pudding – there are plenty of cranberry treats to make.

And, here’s a very simple recipe for a refreshing drink: cranberry juice!

Make your own cranberry juice – it’s ready in just 25 minutes and only a few ingredients are needed – plus, it contains none of the additives or preservatives that come with store-bought juice!

Enjoy it on its own, or add it to your holiday cocktails for a festive cranberry cocktail!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: Only 4 main ingredients are required for this homemade juice (including water!), and all of them can be easily found at the local grocery store.
• Easy to Make: This homemade fresh cranberry juice is ready in less than 30 minutes, and tastes so delicious! Plus, it’s so easy anyone can make it.
• Totally Gluten-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this cranberry juice recipe is 100% gluten-free and vegan, which means that even Celiacs or those with gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without worries.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for make this homemade cranberry juice recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Cranberries: I used fresh raw cranberries, but frozen cranberries in equal quantities will work just as well.
• Water: I used filtered water, but you can also use still water or sparkling water if you prefer.
• Lemon Juice: I recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. However, if you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice will work too.
• Maple Syrup: I used maple syrup as a natural sweetener to keep the recipe vegan. You can also use your sweetener of choice (agave nectar or raw honey) if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using maple-flavored monkfruit syrup (a maple syrup substitute that will not raise your blood sugar levels that much).

How to Make Homemade Cranberry Juice (Step by Step):

1. Cook Cranberries in Water

In a large stockpot or large saucepan add the whole cranberries and 2 cups of the water. Heat over medium heat until boiling.

The cranberries should pop and become soft, with the water reducing down a bit.

2. Let Simmer

Turn down the heat to low, add ½ cup more of water and let simmer for 15 minutes, the water should be bright red at this point.

3. Strain Pulp

Remove from the heat and use a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag to strain out the cranberry pulp.

4. Add Lemon Juice and Maple Syrup

Add the lemon juice and maple syrup, stirring in the warm cranberry juice to allow the maple syrup to dissolve into the mixture.

5. Add Remaining Water

Then add the other 1 ½ cups of cold water to the cranberry juice mixture, stirring once again until combined.

6. Enjoy

Pour over a glass full of ice to enjoy!

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Cranberries: I used fresh cranberries, but frozen cranberries in equal quantities will work just as well.
• Type of Water: I used filtered water, but you can also use still water. If you want to make a fizzy cranberry drink, you can also use sparkling water if you prefer.
• Unsweetened Cranberry Juice: If you rather not add any sweetener, feel free to leave out the maple syrup. Just bear in mind that the juice will be rather tart without any sweetener.

Recipe FAQs:

Gluten-Free Cranberry Recipes to Enjoy:

• 20-Minute Cranberry Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cranberry Orange Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Cranberry Bread Pudding (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Cranberry Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Other Holiday Recipes to Enjoy:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Homemade Cranberry Juice (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Tart yet sweet, this refreshing homemade cranberry juice is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and filled with cranberry flavor. This delicious cranberry juice required just 4 ingredients and is ready in 25 minutes. Enjoy it on its own or use it to make holiday cocktails. Totally gluten-free and vegan too.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 4 cups water, divided
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

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Instructions

1. Cook Cranberries in Water: In a large pot add the cranberries and 2 cups of the water. Heat over medium heat until boiling. The cranberries should pop and become soft, with the water reducing down a bit.
2. Let Simmer: Turn down the heat to low, add ½ cup more of water and let simmer for 15 minutes, the water should be bright red at this point.
3. Strain Pulp: Remove from the heat and strain out the cranberry pulp.
4. Add Lemon Juice and Maple Syrup: Add the lemon juice and maple syrup, stirring in the warm cranberry juice to allow the maple syrup to melt into the mixture.
5. Add Remaining Water: Then add the other 1 ½ cups of cold water, stirring once again until combined.
6. Enjoy: Pour over a glass full of ice to enjoy!

Notes

Cranberries: I used fresh cranberries, but frozen cranberries in equal quantities will work just as well.

Water: I used filtered water, but you can also use still water or sparkling water if you prefer.

Lemon Juice: I recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. However, if you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice will work too.

Maple Syrup: I used maple syrup as a natural sweetener to keep the recipe vegan. You can also use agave nectar or honey if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using maple-flavored monkfruit syrup (a maple syrup substitute that will not raise your blood sugar levels that much).

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American