Ocean Spray: How To Make This Apple Juice Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe Apple juice is a classic, refreshing, and a natural sweetener. Inspired by a popular Ocean Spray brand, this homemade version is simple, wholesome, and can be made with few ingredients. It’s a healthy, sugar-free version of store-bought juices and the best part? You can adjust the sweetness and flavor to taste. Be it a stomach-filling drink during breakfast time, or a refreshing every day thirst quencher, this apple juice is going to do just that.
Ingredients
For this Ocean Spray-esque apple juice, you’ll need:
6-8 medium apples (for flavor, use sweet varieties — Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp — if you can find them)
1 cup water (additional for adjusting consistency as required)
Ice cubes (optional, for serving)
Juice of half a lemon (optional, for brightness)
Sweetener (optional, e.g. honey, agave syrup, stevia —to taste)
Cinnamon (a pinch, optional; for a dead-of-winter spice kick)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Then rinse the apples well to clean off dirt or pesticides. You could peel them if you want a smoother juice, but the skin also provides more fiber and nutrients to your juice. Core the apples and chop into chunks for blending.
Step 2: Juice the Apples
If you have a juicer:
Just add the apple pieces into the juicer, then collect newly made apple juice.
If you like a clear juice, strain it from the pulp.
If you're using a blender:
If using apple, toss the apple chunks into the blender, followed by 1 cup of water (or more if you prefer a thinner consistency).
Puree until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Mine may only be a little thicker depending on how powerful your blender is. If you want thinner juice, just add more water and blend again, until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 3: OPTIONAL — STRAIN THE JUICE
If you’re using a blender, the juice might be pulpy. To separate the pulp and obtain a smoother juice, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher. Press on the pulp with a spoon to extract as much juice as you can.
Step 4: Sweetened the Juice (Optional)
Taste your freshly made apple juice, and if it isn’t sweet enough for your taste, add a little sweetener. You could also use honey, agave syrup or a few drops of stevia. Add some and give it a good stir to combine. Taste again and adjust, if necessary.
We recommend serving the mixture with lemon juice (optional).
Or if you enjoy a touch of tartness, add the juice of half a lemon to your apple juice. It will even out the sweetness and add some zing to the flavor.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Chill your apple juice a little more -- for an hour in the refrigerator -- or serve immediately for a refreshing drink over ice cubes. You can even add a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top for extra flavor if you like. Stir gently before serving.
Tips for the Best Apple Juice
Pick the Right Apples: For a naturally sweet juice, stick to sweet-tasting apples like Fuji or Gala. If you prefer your apple juice on the tangy side, you can have the addition of some Granny Smith apples mixed in.
Sprinkle Some Flavas: Add a little cinnamon or nutmeg to the juice for a holiday twist.
Strain or Not? : If you like a clear, smooth juice, don’t skip the step of straining. But if you like a thicker juice with pulp and more fiber, go ahead and leave it out and drink it as is.
Make It Ahead: This homemade apple juice will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Stir it well before serving, as natural juice can separate over time.
Homemade Apple Juice | Health Benefits
Nutrient Dense: Apple juice includes vitamins, such as Vitamin C and antioxidants, which aid your immune system.
Refreshing: Grapes naturally hydrating and this juice helps you to keep your body refreshed.
Aids Digestion: Apple pulp's fiber makes it good for digestion and gut health.
Low Sugar Content: Compared to many of the store-bought juices on the market, this homemade juice has no added sugars and can be consumed guilt free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I don’t have a juicer, can I make this juice anyway?
A: Yes! A blender can be used to make fresh apple juice as well. It’s just a matter of straining out the pulp.
Q: Can I use other fruit to jazz up the flavor?
A: Absolutely! You could also try other fruits such as pear, pineapple or berries if you wanted to create a fruit mix that you prefer.
Q: How do I reduce the sweetness of my apple juice?
A: For a juice that’s not as sweet, you can use tart apples, like Granny Smith, cut out the added sweeteners, and use lemon juice for more tanginess.
Q: How long can I keep the homemade apple juice?
Q: How long does fresh apple juice last in the fridge? To help it stay fresh longer, attempt to consume it within a day or two.
Final Thoughts
Ocean Spray homemade apple juice recipe is very easy and quite rewarding. Which you can make with fresh apples and a few optional mix-ins for a drink that’s not just figgy, but also richly nutritious. Perfect for the little ones AND the big ones, can be drunk as an refreshing drink or any time of day.
When you make your own apple juice, you lose the added sugars and preservatives just waiting to sneak their way into store-bought varieties. It’s a terrific way to regulate what you’re putting into your body, while also enjoying a beverage so close to nature, you can practically hear the crickets.
So the next time you find yourself wanting a cold glass of apple juice, can your way there with this easy-to-make recipe at home, instead of in a store! Your taste buds will love you for it.
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