Whether you just want to enjoy a pitcher of fresh grape juice, or you need to preserve a large harvest of homegrown grapes, making and canning grape juice is easier than you might think!
We have been blessed with an amazing grape harvest thanks to my dad's vineyard growing right here on the property. As a result, we have been making and canning homemade grape juice every summer for the last 5 years!
Here is a look at just a few of the grapes we harvested last summer.
These homegrown grapes turned into 5 gallons of wine, 25 pints of grape jelly, and the rest we turned into grape juice!
The Secret to Perfect Homemade Grape Juice
Ok, after 5 years of making our own homemade grape juice, let me share with you my top 3 secrets!
Fresh, Ripe Grapes - If you aren't growing your own, make sure to select your grapes with care. Look for vibrant colors, plumpness, and a sweet aroma. These gems will infuse your juice with incredible flavor.
Gentle Straining - Treat those grapes with love! Gently press and strain them to keep the juice pure and free from bitterness. You want just the grape juice, not the skins to come through during this process as the skins will add a lot of tartness to the juice.
Balancing the Tartness - Some varieties will not need any sweetener. However, if you find that your grape juice is more tart than you'd like, you can add sugar, honey, or even maple syrup to balance out the tartness. Just be mindful not to overpower the grape's natural sweetness.
Now armed with these secrets, get ready to create grape juice that will make your friends and family beg for more!
Best Grape Varieties for Grape Juice
If you are growing your own grapes, then you have already chosen which grapes you'll be working with when making grape juice. However, if you are buying grapes specifically for the task, or looking at which ones you want to plant for later harvests, there are a few varieties to choose from.
When it comes to making grape juice, certain grape varieties are particularly well-suited for the task. Here are some of the best grape varieties to consider:
- Concord - This classic grape variety is renowned for its bold flavor and deep purple color, making it a popular choice for grape juice. Concord grapes are naturally sweet and have a distinct, robust taste that many people associate with traditional grape juice.
- Niagara - Another excellent choice for grape juice, Niagara grapes are known for their sweet and juicy characteristics. They have a lighter color compared to Concord grapes, with a refreshing flavor that is slightly milder and more delicate.
- Catawba - With a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness, Catawba grapes can produce delicious grape juice. They offer a unique flavor profile, often described as slightly musky, which adds an interesting twist to homemade grape juice.
- Muscadine - If you're looking for a grape variety with a distinct flavor and natural sweetness, Muscadine grapes are worth considering. Native to the southeastern United States (and very prolific here in Texas), Muscadines have a unique taste profile and are rich in antioxidants, making them a healthy and flavorful choice for grape juice.
You can even combine grape varieties to make your own personal grape juice blend! Don't be overwhelmed, and remember if your grapes are more tart than you'd like, just add sugar!
How to Make Grape Juice
Here are the steps for making the grape juice, with optional canning directions in the next section. The entire recipe is available in printable form at the end of the post.
- Prep - Make the grape juice by combining washed grapes and a very small amount of water (just enough to keep the grapes from scorching) in a saucepan over low heat.
- Heat - Heat and simmer slowly until the skins are soft, and the juices are released.
- Mash - Gently mash the grapes with a potato masher and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain - Strain the pulp through a damp jelly bag, or a double layer of cheesecloth. Take the solids and either compost them or feed them to any animals you have (we give them to the chickens and they LOVE them!)
- Chill - Refrigerate grape juice for 24 to 48 hours to allow the sediment to settle to the bottom.
- Drain - Carefully drain the juice away from the sediment and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Canning Grape Juice
If you'd like to preserve your grape juice to enjoy later on, the process of canning grape juice is very simple! Read these water bath canning instructions for more details on the process.
- Heat - Add the drained juice (free of sediment) back into a pan and heat to 190F - you can add sugar at this point if you want, but we never do.
- Fill - Place hot juice into clean, hot canning jars leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Clean rims and add 2-piece lids.
- Can - Process jars in a water bath canner for 5 minutes at an altitude of less than 1,000 ft. Adjust processing time for your altitude according to the list below, if needed!
Altitude Adjustments for Canning Grape Juice
If you are canning at 1,000+ above sea level, here are the timing adjustments needed based on your altitude.
Altitude Adjustments for Canning Grape Juice
| Jar Size | 0 - 1,000 ft | 1,001 - 6,000 ft | Above 6,000 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pints or Quarts | 5 minutes | 10 | 15 |
| Half-Gallons | 10 minutes | 15 | 20 |
Common Questions
Absolutely! Adjusting the sweetness is part of the fun. After extracting the grape juice, taste it and determine if you'd like it sweeter. To sweeten, add a bit of sugar, honey, or your preferred sweetener gradually, stirring until it reaches your desired taste. Remember, start with a little and add more as needed, so you don't overpower the natural flavors of the grapes.
If you are just going to enjoy the grape juice fresh, plan to keep it refrigerated and drink it within 3-5 days. You can also freeze it and thaw it as desired to enjoy it for longer without canning.
When properly canned and stored in a cool, dark place, homemade grape juice can last forever. However, it's recommended to consume it within 3-5 years for the best quality and taste.
It's important to use canning jars specifically designed for preserving foods. Mason jars or glass jars with two-piece lids are commonly used for canning grape juice. Ensure that the jars are in good condition, with no cracks or chips, and follow proper sterilization and sealing procedures.
If you follow the proper water bath canning process there is no need to add preservatives to homemade grape juice. The heat treatment kills bacteria and enzymes, ensuring long-term preservation.
Even More Delicious Recipes
Want to keep your family smiling with another tasty treat? Try one of these recipes next, from our kitchen to yours!
Homemade Grape Juice for Canning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 pounds grapes
- sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Make the grape juice by combining washed grapes and a very small amount of water (just enough to keep the grapes from scorching) in a saucepan over low heat.
- Heat and simmer slowly until the skins are soft, and the juices are released.
- Gently mash the grapes with a potato masher and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the pulp through a damp jelly bag, or a double layer of cheesecloth. Take the solids and either compost them or feed them to any animals you have (we give them to the chickens and they LOVE them!)
- Refrigerate grape juice for 24 to 48 hours to allow the sediment to settle to the bottom.
- Carefully drain the juice away from the sediment and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Canning Grape Juice
- Add the drained juice (free of sediment) back into a pan and heat to 190F - you can add sugar at this point if you want, but we never do.
- Place hot juice into clean, hot canning jars leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Clean rims and add 2-piece lids.
- Process jars in a water bath canner for 5 minutes at an altitude of less than 1,000 ft. Adjust processing time for your altitude according to the list below, if needed!
Notes
Nutrition
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