How To: Make Simple Homemade Grape Juice

Things You'll Need

• 5-20 lbs. grapes
• A large pot
• A strainer to rinse the grapes
• Something to mash the grapes with
• Jars and canning supplies
• A stove 
• A cloth bag for straining the juice
• A few thirsty people to enjoy the juice with :)

Step 1 Collect Grapes

• 5-20 lbs of grapes is a good amount to start with
• I like to use a variety of grapes for a well rounded flavor

Step 2 Clean Grapes

• Remove grapes from the stems (you can omit this step if you wish - the stems will be removed when you strain the juice)
• Remove any "ugly" fruit (diseased, rotten, moldy fruit will give "off" flavors to your juice)
• Rinse the grapes

Step 3 Heat and Mash the Grapes

• Place the grapes in a large sauce pan on the stove at med-high heat
• With a flat masher, mash and stir the grapes
• The juice will begin to come out of the grapes
• Keep this up for approx. 30 minutes

Step 4 Strain the Juice

• Pour the juice through a cloth (stainer bag) and into a container

Step 5 Refrigerate and Let Sit Overnight

• Cover the juice
• Place in refrigerator overnight

Step 6 Strain Again

• This second straining really helps clarify the juice and is worth the extra effort

Step 7 Bring to a Boil and Cook for 10 Minutes

• This concentrates the juice just a little bit

Step 8 Sweeten to Taste

• Honey, sugar, maple syrup, or Stevia. Add your choice of sweetener a little at a time until it suits you. 

Step 9 Heat Up to 140 F

Step 10 Pour into Sterile Jars and Process for 10 Minutes

• Pour the hot juice into clean jars (preheat the jars in warm water so they won't break when you pour the hot juice in)
• Cover jars with lids
• Place jars in boiling water, cover and boil for 10 minutes

Step 11 Enjoy!

Drink as is or dilute with an equal amount of water when ready to use