Cranberry juice is a refreshing drink that’s nutritious and tastes great. You can either buy them from the store or make them yourself at home. If you have leftover cranberry juice, you can store them in the fridge, but it won’t last very long. If you need to store them for more than a month, would freezing cranberry juice be an option?
Can you freeze cranberry juice? Yes, you can freeze cranberry juice. You either freeze freshly squeezed cranberry or store-bought. Properly stored, cranberry juice can last for up to 8 months in the freezer.
Does Cranberry Juice Freeze Well?
Since cranberry juice is made mostly of water, it will freeze well. The only thing about it is when it thaws. The ingredients in the juice may separate from each other. This will leave the juice tasting not that fresh.
However, if you’re planning to use cranberry juice in smoothies or make dipping sauces, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
If you’re going to drink the cranberry juice fresh, then you’ll notice a difference.
How To Freeze Cranberry Juice
Freezing cranberry juice is quite simple and doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare it. All you need is some simple equipment and a bit of your time.
You can freeze cranberry juice in large portions or in ice cubes. A large portion is suitable for using in cooking or making drinks in large quantities.
Freezing them in ice cubes is more versatile and can be used to make smoothies, dipping sauces, and other food that require a small amount of cranberry juice.
Freezing Large Portions of Cranberry Juice
Portion Out
With the cranberry juice, place them into a large container. It should be airtight and safe for freezer usage. Besides containers, you can also use freezer bags, but it’s not recommended to store a large amount of liquid. Doing so can risk the bag tearing when it’s frozen.
Leave about an inch of space at the top of the container. This will allow the juice to expand during freezing.
Seal it
Check the lid to see if there are any damages to the seal. It’s important that it’s sealed tightly or the juice can go bad quickly due to freezer burn.
If there are no damages, secure the lid to the container as tight as you can.
Label and Freeze
With a marker, write down the date of freezing on the container. Then place it into the freezer.
Freezing Cranberry Juice Ice Cubes
Portion into Ice Cube Trays
With an ice cube tray, clean it thoroughly first. If you want slightly larger portions, you can use muffin or cupcake trays, but make sure it’s freezer-safe.
Pour cranberry juice into each slot of the tray, but make sure to not fill it to the top. Leave a small gap at the top of the slot to allow the juice to expand during freezing.
Flash Freezing
Place the tray of juice into the freezer. Make sure it’s sitting level to avoid the juice from running to one side.
Allow the cranberry juice to freeze for about 2-3 hours.
Bag Up
After a couple of hours, remove the tray of juice from the freezer. Immediately transfers them to a freezer bag or an airtight container.
Seal It
If using a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing it. You can also use a straw to draw air out from the bag too.
If using an airtight container, check the seal on the lid to see if there are any leaks. If not, secure the lid to the container tightly.
Label and Freezing
With a sharpie, write down the date of freezing on the container or freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer.
Can You Freeze Canned Cranberry Juice?
Yes, you can freeze canned cranberry juice. This goes the same for cranberry juice that’s in a carton as well.
If it’s unopened, it’s best to leave them in the pantry or fridge. Avoid placing an unopened tin can or carton in the freezer. The material is not designed to withstand the freezing temperature and will crack when frozen.
Once the can or carton is opened, you can freeze them. Just make sure to transfer the juice to an airtight container before you place it in the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Cranberry Juice?
Cranberry juice can last quite a long time in the freezer. If it’s properly stored, it can last for up to 8 months in the freezer.
After that time, the juice will still be safe to consume, but the quality of it will start to deteriorate. When thawing them, the ingredients may separate from each other, and it won’t be that flavorful.
Once it’s been over a year, the cranberry juice is bad and should be discarded. Again, it’s safe to drink, but you won’t enjoy drinking it at all.
You may also like: Do Cranberries Go Bad
How Do You Defrost Cranberry Juice?
When it comes to cranberry juice, depending on what you’re making, you won’t need to defrost them at all. For making smoothies, you can grab the amount of cranberry juice you need and place them directly into the blender.
Another thing that doesn’t need defrosting is keeping water cool. All you need to do is grab some cranberry juice ice cubes and place them into a glass of water. This will give you a refreshing cranberry flavored water.
If you do need to thaw cranberry juice, the best method is to do so in the fridge. Simply grab the amount of juice you need and place them into a bowl and pop it into the fridge for a few hours.
Can You Refreeze Cranberry Juice?
It’s not recommended to refreezing cranberry juice. Doing so will change the texture and flavor of the juice.
Also, repeated thawing and freezing could raise the chance of bacterial growth.
To prevent having to refreeze cranberry juice, you should portion them. This will help prevent having any leftovers.
Other Questions about Cranberry Juice
Can you freeze cranberries?
Like blackberries, you can freeze cranberries the same way. You’ll need to flash freeze them first to prevent them from sticking to each other. Simply place the cranberries onto a baking tray and leave it in the freezer for about 2-3 hours. Once it’s completely frozen, immediately transfer them to a freezer bag. Remove excess air from the bag and seal it tightly. Then label with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer for storage. You can keep cranberries in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Can you freeze cranberry sauce?
Yes, you can freeze cranberry sauce. Simply place them into an airtight container, place a cling film over the top of it, and seal it tightly with the lid. Then label it with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.