Equipment
- Steam Canner Optional
- Cheesecloth, or another method of straining the fruit juice
Ingredients
- Cranberries
- Water
- Sugar optional
Instructions
Making Cranberry Juice
- Wash cranberries and sort, removing stems, spoiled berries, etc.
- Put cranberries and an equal amount of water into a pot.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until cranberries begin splitting.
- Strain juice and refrigerate for 24-48 hours undisturbed.
Canning Cranberry Juice
- Carefully pour off top of cold cranberry juice, leaving sediment behind. You want the clearest juice possible for canning.
- Bring juice to a boil, adding sweetener if desired for taste.
- Heat the sweetened juice mixture to 190º F (88º C) for 5 minutes. (this is less than boiling)
Packing the Jars
- Ladle hot juice into hot jars, leaving 1/4” headspace.
- Wipe rims of jar clean with damp towel or paper towel. You don't want sticky rims to interfere with the seal.
- Add your canning lids and rings, finger tight.
- Place jar in the canner. When all jars are filled, process according to the instructions below
Processing with Water Bath Canner
- After all jars are in the canner, lower rack into the water. Bring to a full rolling boil.
- When the water comes to a rolling boil, start your time.
Processing Time
- Pint jars are processed for 15 minutes.
- Quart jars are processed for 15 minutes.
- Be sure and adjust your time for altitude: 0-1,000 ft – 15 minutes 1,001-3,000 ft – 20 minutes 3,001-6,000 ft – 25 minutes 6,001-8,000 ft – 30 minutes 8,001-10,000 ft – 35 minutes
- Process for the full time indicated, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a rolling boil for the entire processing time.
Cool Down Time
- When processing time is completed turn off the heat.
- Remove the canner lid and wait 5 minutes.
- Raise the jars out of the water and remove your jars. (optionally you can wait another 5 minutes if the contents appear to be bubbling so hard it is coming out of the jars)
- Put the jars a few inches apart on a thick towel and allow them to cool to room temperature undisturbed. 12 hours is suggested.
- When the jars are cooled, remove the metal bands, check the seals, wash jars, dry completely, and store in a cool dark place.