Whether you have a surplus of raspberries, or just want to learn how to make raspberry juice, this delicious and simple recipe will be sure to please.
It only contains three ingredients and is chock full of raspberry flavor.
We planted raspberries on our homestead six years ago. I first planted thornless raspberries but had little success with them.
Crumbly berries was a huge issue, and they just didn’t produce well.
Then I planted a thorned raspberry. I don’t know the variety, because I received the sucker plants from a neighbor, who had also gotten the plants passed on from someone.
It’s a mystery raspberry around here! This raspberry bush was planted three years ago, and they are doing amazing!!
In the defense of the thornless raspberry, they are producing the best they ever have this year too. Not as much as the thorned varieties, but still producing well.
All to say, we have a lot of raspberries this year! We’ve picked over 30 gallons of fresh raspberries already this year, and they are still producing. It’s been amazing (and tiring, if I’m being honest).
So this year, I made raspberry juice for the first time. I always like to use as much of the fruit as possible.
Making juice always feels a bit wasteful, because you leave behind the fiber of the fruit. But this recipe is well worth it. I’ve also canned raspberries in a simple syrup, which I really like, but this juice tops that.
This recipe contains sugar as a sweetener.
I’ve also sweetened this with Sweet Mix, as an alternative if you are concerned about sugar consumption, and highly recommend it.
You also don’t need a juicer for this raspberry juice. All you need is a large pot, cheesecloth, or clean pillow case, and a large strainer or sieve.
What is Raspberry Juice Good For
Red raspberry leaves are accoladed for their main health benefits for women’s fertility health. It’s great for menstrual cramps, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Raspberries themselves also hold a lot of the same benefits.
They contain potassium, which is essential to heart function and is proven to lower blood pressure because of natural compounds called flavonoids.
The omega-3 fatty acids help prevent stroke and heart disease. They also contain a trace mineral called manganese, which is needed for healthy bones.
Red raspberries are also great for the skin. I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin the last couple of weeks (and I’ve been eating large amounts of raspberries).
This could be because raspberry juice provides a rich source of beneficial vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C also helps your body metabolize cholesterol and aids in hormone production.
It even enhances the body’s metabolic rate and promotes weight loss.
We will see about that. I wouldn’t mind losing a couple of pounds, so raspberry juice for the win!
Raspberry Juice Ingredients
This recipe contains only three ingredients and is super simple to make. It is a favorite recipe around here. I received it passed down from my mother-in-law.
Raspberry juice ingredients are:
Fresh raspberries
Boiling Water
Sugar
If making large quantities, you need quart canning jars and a water bath canner.
How do you extract juice from raspberries?
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There are 3 different ways to extract juice from raspberries.
Using a juicer is an option, although not a must. Also, you can use a steam juicer.
The method I will teach you today extracts the juice from the raspberries using a steeping method., kind of like brewing a tea.
How to Make Fresh Raspberry Juice
Buying raspberries from the store would make this a very expensive juice. If you don’t have raspberries in your own garden, try to find them at local farms during the growing season.
Contact your local farms to see if anyone has extra. Oftentimes they will give them to you for very cheap if you are willing to pick them yourselves.
Step 1: Clean and Sort Raspberries
Quickly go over your raspberries, tossing any that are molded, or don’t look edible.
Slightly scarred raspberries are fine to use. If you would eat them, then include them.
If they are very dusty, then gently wash them in cold water. You will lose some of the juice with washing, so only do this if absolutely necessary.
Measure out the raspberries. You need four cups of raspberries for one recipe.
Step 2: Measure water into a large pot.
For every four cups of raspberries, add five cups of water into a pot.
Step 3: Bring Water To A Boil
Heat water to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, turn off the heat completely.
Step 4: Add raspberries to Hot Water
Carefully add raspberries into hot water, stirring gently. Take the pot off the heat source. Cover the pot.
Step 5: Let sit for 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Leave your pot at room temperature to sit for about 2.5 hours.
If you steep the raspberries for a longer period of time, it’s fine. Nothing will happen. 2.5 hours is the minimum you want to steep them.
The hot water helps to extract the juice from the raspberries. You don’t need to stir at this point.
Step 6: Separate raspberries and juice.
Once the 150 minutes are up, separate the juice from the berries.
Strain the juice into a clean pot or container, using a cheesecloth or clean pillowcase to separate the seeds and fiber from the juice.
Laying a cheesecloth inside a large strainer works well.
A fine-mesh sieve will also work, just be sure you don’t get any raspberry seeds in your juice. Set the strainer on top of a large bowl to catch all the juice.
Step 7: Let sit for 10-12 hours, or overnight.
The final step is what takes the longest. Let the strainer sit, covered, for 10-12 hours. Don’t stir, just let them sit.
The raspberries will look light and unappetizing at this point.
Compost the raspberries.
Step 8: Measure juice back into the pot, and add sugar.
For every six cups of raspberry juice, add one cup of sugar, or 1/2 cup of sweet mix. Heat the juice, stirring often, to ensure all the sugar dissolves.
Step 9: Bring to a Boil.
Bring juice to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the sugar.
Step 10: Ladle into Jars
Ladle into jars or a large pitcher, and store in the refrigerator. This fruit juice is the best when served cold, with ice cubes.
For an added zing, add equal amounts of soda water to the juice. For added variety, mix with equal parts orange juice.
Canning Raspberry Juice
This juice is really simple to water bath can for long-term storage.
No need for a pressure canner. All you need is a water bath canner. Canning raspberry juice when the berries are in season is a great way to enjoy it all year round.
Get the canner ready by filling it with water, about half full. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat.
To can raspberry juice, first sterilized jars. Keep the lids in hot water while you ladle hot juice into jars.
Clean the rim of the jar with a damp dishcloth.
Dip your finger into hot water, and run it around the rim of the jar. Take a hot lid from the water, and place it on, securing it with a metal band.
Using a jar lifter, carefully lower the jars into the canner.
Turn the heat back on, and bring it to a boil.
Once it starts to boil, set the timer for 15 minutes.
Once the time is up, lift the jars out of the water, and place them on a dry towel.
This easy recipe makes a refreshing drink that is enjoyed on a hot summer day.
While you could make this recipe with frozen raspberries, fresh berries work the best.
Learn how to make raspberry juice and feel good about what you serve your family and guests.