Cranberry juice is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Due to its taste and beneficial properties, it has attracted the attention of many people. It contains vitamin C, which not only fights against viral diseases, but also lowers temperature and strengthens the immune system. Cranberry fruit drink is very useful for pregnant women and children from three years old. Some doctors advise drinking this drink to those people who suffer from swelling, slow metabolism and pyelonephritis. The drink is absorbed very quickly in the body and has no contraindications, with the exception of gastric ulcer.
Cooking Features
Before you make the first cranberry juice, you need to remember several important features that can affect the quality of the drink and affect your health.
- The list of essential ingredients in most recipes includes honey. This food product is a powerful allergen, so its amount should be regulated depending on the individual characteristics of the body. Honey must be added only to a chilled liquid, that is, the temperature of which is not higher than 40 degrees.
- During the cooking process, observe the correct proportions of cranberry juice and water. In order for the drink to bring you maximum benefit, it must have at least 40% cranberry juice.
- Since cranberry juice has a bad effect on the skin, irritating it and staining, it is necessary to use medical or other rubber gloves during grinding fruits. In no case can you use metal utensils - it quickly oxidizes. The most optimal option is glass, plastic or ceramic dishes.
- If you want to make cranberry juice from frozen cranberries, then you should not use a microwave or hot water to defrost it. It is best to pre-lay the fruits out of the freezer, rinse with clean water and hold at room temperature until completely thawed.
- The amount of sugar, like honey, is regulated by personal preference. It is worth noting that more ripe berries require much less sugar.
- After preparation, the drink must always be kept in the refrigerator. Shelf life is 3 days. Cranberry fruit drinks lose all their beneficial properties after this time.
Cranberry juice is a really great drink to strengthen the body and enrich it with vitamin C.
Classic recipe
To prepare cranberry juice in a classic way, we need:
- Purified water - 2 liters.
- Sugar - 150 grams (optional).
- Cranberry fruits - 200-250 grams.
Now let's take a look at the cooking method:
- The first step is to select the ripe berries. After that, rinse them under running water and leave for a few minutes to glass all the liquid.
- Next, using a blender, meat grinder or other kitchen appliances, chop the berries to a semi-liquid state. Having prepared in advance a large piece of gauze, squeeze out all the juice, and put the remaining cake in a separate saucer.
- Pour purified water into a small saucepan and put on high heat. After the water boils, pour in the pan all the prepared ingredients (cranberry juice, the remaining meal and sugar).
- Stir well and cook for 10 minutes.
The prepared drink should not be consumed immediately, it is best to let it brew for 10-20 minutes. During this time, you can cook a fine sieve in order to properly strain the fruit drinks and containers in which it will be stored. Store the drink only in the refrigerator and not more than 3 days.
Cranberry juice with ginger
Fruit juice made from cranberries with ginger is not considered the most popular, but still it is more useful than other similar drinks. Here's what we need:
- Sugar - 250 grams.
- Purified water - up to 3 liters.
- Ginger root is optional.
- Cranberries (fresh or frozen) - 350 grams.
The cooking method is slightly different from the classic recipe:
- First you need to cook heat-resistant dishes, pour it with purified water and put on fire. Do not neglect purified water and replace it with ordinary tap water. If we want the drink to be as useful as possible, the water should only be purified.
- After the water has boiled, cool it to room temperature.
- Wash the cranberry fruit thoroughly and leave it in a colander for 15-20 minutes, so that the glass is full of liquid.
- Prepare the ginger root: cut into small pieces and chop with a blender.
- Pour all cooked ingredients (ginger, cranberries and sugar) into a pot of water and put it on a small fire again.
Water should not boil. As soon as the first bubbles appear, immediately turn off the stove and let the drink brew for 1.5-2 hours. At the end, strain the whole compote through cheesecloth with sieve and pour into a prepared jug.
Cranberry juice with blueberries
Cranberry juice, supplemented with blueberries, forms a vitamin bomb. This drink is consumed regardless of age. It is useful for both children from 2-3 years old and older people. Before we learn how to cook fruit juice from cranberries and blueberries, let's look at what ingredients we may need:
- Sugar - 230 grams.
- Drinking water - 1.5 liters.
- Blueberries - 300 grams.
- Cranberry Berries - 330 grams.
Now we will find out how to make cranberry juice with the addition of blueberries:
- We wash all the fruits of blueberries and cranberries and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- In a container for a blender, we mix all the ingredients (blueberries, sugar and cranberries) and grind for 5 minutes.
- After that, add a little water to the blender bowl and mix again until smooth.
- Strain the entire mass through cheesecloth.
If the drink consistency resembles a viscous jelly, then you can dilute it with boiled water and add a little sugar. Remember to keep the drink in the refrigerator.
Cranberry Lemon Juice
Adding lemon to cranberry juice enriches it with additional vitamins, such a drink will help quench your thirst more quickly. It is recommended to use it in the hot season. Let's analyze the necessary ingredients:
- Filtered water - 1.3 liters.
- Cranberry Berries - 840 grams.
- Sugar - 15 grams.
- Lemon zest - 80-120 grams.
- Lemon juice - 100 ml.
Cooking cranberry juice with lemon takes at least 30 minutes.
- We sort through the fruits of cranberries, sifting out unripe and spoiled.
- After that, wash the lemon and remove the whole zest from it.
- Grind the cranberries and peel of the citrus in a blender until smooth.
- In boiled water, squeeze lemon juice and pour the mixture from a blender. All components should be cooked on low heat for about 15 minutes after boiling.
Thirst-quenching fruit drink is ready. It remains only to strain it into a jug and you can drink it. It is recommended to leave the finished juice for 10-12 hours in the refrigerator.
What are the benefits of cranberry juice
Fruit juice from frozen cranberries or fresh cranberry fruits has many beneficial properties. Vitamin C, which is present in this drink, strengthens the body and boosts your immunity. Particular attention should be paid to this drink in the winter season, when the body of each person needs an additional dose of vitamins. But regardless of the beneficial qualities, cranberry juice has its drawbacks.
Benefits
The recipe for fruit juice from frozen cranberries is simple, but this drink is able to remove toxins, relieve swelling, lower cholesterol and effectively fight various infectious diseases. For its preparation does not require special financial costs, all the necessary ingredients can be found in the yard of your house.
Harmful properties
Frequent use of cranberry juice destroys tooth enamel. Therefore, it is not recommended for children under 3 years of age and breast-feeding women. There are contraindications for those people who suffer from pyelonephritis, slow metabolism, ulcers and gastritis.