Canning Grape Juice

Canning grape juice is surprisingly easy!

There’s something truly special about sipping on homemade grape juice that you’ve lovingly crafted yourself.

We use muscadines, but any grape variety will work!

The rich, fruity flavor of muscadine grapes, combined with the satisfaction of knowing you made it from scratch, makes every sip taste even sweeter.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of making a simple homemade muscadine juice using a steam juicer pot and provide step-by-step water bath canning instructions to preserve your delicious creation for later enjoyment.

Ingredients and Equipment

To embark on this homemade muscadine juice adventure, you’ll need:

Ingredients:

1. Fresh muscadine grapes (enough to fill your steam juicer pot)
2. Sugar (optional, to taste)

Equipment:

1. Steam juicer pot
2. Large mixing bowl
3. Cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer
4. Large stockpot
5. Glass jars with lids for canning
6. Canning tongs
7. Water bath canner

Step 1: Prepare Your Muscadine Grapes

Start by washing and destemming your muscadine grapes. Ensure that they are ripe and free from any mold or spoilage. You’ll want to fill your steam juicer pot with these beautiful grapes, so make sure you have enough on hand.

Step 2: Steam Juicing

1. Place the muscadine grapes in the top compartment of your steam juicer pot.
2. Fill the bottom compartment of the pot with water, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. As you heat the pot, the steam will extract juice from the grapes, which will flow into the middle compartment.
4. Allow the grapes to steam until they are thoroughly juiced. This may take a couple of hours, so be patient.

Step 3: Straining the Juice

Once your grapes are juiced, carefully remove the middle compartment of the steam juicer pot. Inside, you’ll find the muscadine juice, ready to be strained.

1. Place a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer over a large mixing bowl.
2. Pour the hot muscadine juice through the strainer to remove any solids and seeds. You should be left with clear, delicious juice.

Step 4: Sweetening (Optional)

Taste your muscadine juice and, if desired, add sugar to sweeten it to your liking. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 5: Canning

1. Sterilize your glass jars and lids by placing them in boiling water for a few minutes.
2. Carefully fill each jar with your freshly made muscadine juice, leaving some headspace at the top.
3. Seal the jars tightly with the sterilized lids.

Step 6: Water Bath Canning

1. Place a rack or towel at the bottom of your water bath canner to prevent jar breakage.
2. Carefully lower your filled, sealed jars into the canner using canning tongs.
3. Ensure that the jars are covered with at least an inch of water.
4. Bring the water to a boil and process the jars for the recommended time, typically around 10-15 minutes, depending on your altitude.

Step 7: Cooling and Storage

After processing, carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a clean towel to cool. As they cool, you’ll likely hear the satisfying “ping” of the lids sealing, indicating a successful canning process.

Once completely cooled, store your homemade muscadine juice in a cool, dark place. It should last for up to a year or even longer if properly sealed and stored.

Canning grape juice with a steam juicer pot and water bath canning is a rewarding process that allows you to enjoy the flavors of the season year-round.

With a little patience and attention to detail, you can fill your pantry with jars of this delicious, sweet, and refreshing beverage, perfect for sipping on a hot summer day or gifting to friends and family.

Cheers to the sweet taste of success!