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What are Some Uses for Cranberry Juice?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Cranberry juice is juice pressed from the fruit of the cranberry, an evergreen mat-like shrub native to Eastern North America. There are a number of uses for this juice, ranging from a daily glass to support a healthy body and heart to a mixer in cocktails and juice beverages. Straight juice is available from many supermarkets, although it may be difficult to find it without high fructose corn syrup, and mixed juice beverages that include it are also readily available. As is the case with other fruit juices, the health benefits of cranberries are best found in juice without artificial sweeteners.

As a health food, cranberries have several benefits. Drinking cranberry juice makes urine more acidic, which can be highly beneficial for urinary tract infections. While drinking water and juice will also help to flush the kidneys and urinary tract if they are infected, the juice will actually help the body actively fight bacteria. Cranberries also appear to lower bad cholesterol in the body, making them a heart healthy food, and they are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants. A glass now and then can, as a result, be highly beneficial.

Some cocktails get their red color from cranberry juice.
Some cocktails get their red color from cranberry juice.

Many fruit juices use cranberry juice as a mixer, since it has a unique tart flavor that can make other juices taste more flavorful and complex. A blend may have a high percentage of cranberry, using another fruit such as raspberries as a sweetener, or it may have a splash of cranberry that is intended to enhance the flavor of the juice, or to temper the sweetness of naturally sweet fruits. White cranberry juice, by the way, is made from cranberries that are picked before they reach full ripeness, and it tends to be a bit sweeter. Look for juices with natural fruit sweetening, honey, or cane sugar if possible.

Vodka, which can be mixed with cranberry juice to make a vodka and cranberry.
Vodka, which can be mixed with cranberry juice to make a vodka and cranberry.

Many alcoholic beverages also call for cranberry juice, as is the case with cosmopolitans, crantinis, or the simple vodka and cranberry. The tart flavor complements a wide range of alcohols, and can help to cut their bitterness and intensity. Since the juice also has a distinctive rich ruby red color, it is also used to add a splash of color to otherwise dull drinks. In some cases, a drink may be garnished with candied or fresh cranberries. Virgin drinks can also be made with cranberry juice, for those who prefer to abstain.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

somerset

A potentially great health benefit of cranberry juice is that it helps slow down cognitive decline. This benefit is not exclusive to cranberry juice. All the fruits and vegetable that are packed with flavonoids have this health benefit.

So it is wise to load up on a variety of fresh fruit, but dried fruit will do too since flavonoids are not lost during dehydrating process, vegetable and of course cranberry juice.

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    • Some cocktails get their red color from cranberry juice.
      By: Alex Bramwell
      Some cocktails get their red color from cranberry juice.
    • Vodka, which can be mixed with cranberry juice to make a vodka and cranberry.
      By: travis manley
      Vodka, which can be mixed with cranberry juice to make a vodka and cranberry.
    • A glass of cranberry juice.
      By: Galina Mikhalishina
      A glass of cranberry juice.
    • Cosmopolitans made with cranberry juice are a popular cocktail at parties.
      By: Sergey Nivens
      Cosmopolitans made with cranberry juice are a popular cocktail at parties.