Make Your Own Grape Juice

I thought the process of making grape juice would be more complicated than it actually was.  I am not a huge fan of grape juice or juice for that matter – but every once in awhile I do enjoy a glass.  Stella likes juice – but since I do not buy it often, she pretty much drinks water -so this will be a treat for her.

Grapes in cooler

I was happy to oblige and let my kitchen be used for the grape preserving and even more happy to oblige when I was given many jars of juice to keep!!! I think we started our grape preserving with close to 40 pounds of grapes!! I have grapes on the property, but still do not know what kind they are – it will be fun to figure that out when they are ready and I will already have experience on the juice and jam making.  Might have to make some wine!

Grape Juice

Grape juice done

Items Needed

Grapes (many pounds)
Sugar
Large soup pot
Masher
Strainer
Cheese cloth
Canning pot
Canning jars – quart size
Canning lids
Jar grabber
Small sauce pan

1. Fill your large soup pot 3/4 of the way with grapes – fill with water to just covering the grapes.  Cook on medium-high heat.  Place lid on.

2. Fill your canning pot with water and set that to get boiling.

3. Sterilize your jars either in your boiling bath water or in a dishwasher.

4. Once the grape water starts boiling, start mashing the grapes in the pot with your masher.  Lower  the heat and allow the grapes to simmer for 5 minutes.

Grape juice in pot

5. Place your canning jar lids into the small saucepan, fill with water and heat to almost boiling.

6. After the 5 minutes, mash the grapes again.  Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.

7. We double strained our grapes – first through a colander and then through cheese cloth.  You can also use a jelly bag.

Grape juice straining

8. Pour the strained juice back into the large pot and add sugar (only if needed).  For 7 – 8 quarts of juice we added 1 cup of sugar.  We tasted the juice before adding anything.

9. Fill your jars, place lids on and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes after the water comes back to a boil.

Grape juice in jars

10. Remove the jars and listen for the pop of the jar sealing.  If a jar does not seal, turn upside down for 15 minutes or so and it should seal.  If a jar does not seal – drink up!

 

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4 Responses to Make Your Own Grape Juice

  1. Candace says:

    You make it look and sound so easy. : )

  2. Gail Osterman says:

    I bet the aroma in your kitchen was delightful!

  3. Jo says:

    Good idea. I’m not a big juice drinker either but if you do half juice/half sparkling water it tastes pretty darn good.

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