Homemade raspberry juice: A sweet, nutritious way to beat the heat

Instead of buying ready-made products full of sugar or other chemical additives, I make my winter supplies in August. I prepare homemade cold raspberry juice from high-quality raspberries. This method is not only delicious but also easy and truly valuable.

Homemade cold raspberry juice is an excellent way to preserve these delicious fruits' fresh taste and nutritional benefits. You only need raspberries and sugar to create a refreshing drink perfect for hot days. The preparation process is simple, and the result is extremely tasty.

Cold raspberry juice is an ideal solution for those who want to enjoy these fruits' full flavor and nutritional benefits. Raspberries are rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants. Preparing cold juice allows you to retain all these valuable ingredients, which may be destroyed during cooking. Additionally, this juice is naturally sweet and does not contain any preservatives.

The most important thing is the proportions: for 2 pounds of raspberries, you need 1 pound of sugar. The juice is best stored in the refrigerator, where it retains its freshness and nutritional value for several days. If you want to store the juice for longer, you can freeze it in plastic bottles or containers. Remember to leave some space for the liquid to expand during freezing.

Preparation:

1. Preparing the raspberries: wash them under running water, then gently dry them on a paper or cotton towel. Make sure the fruits are clean and dry.
2. Combining the ingredients: in a large bowl, layer the raspberries and sugar, starting with raspberries, then sugar, and so on, until you use all the ingredients. Gently mix the mixture to distribute the sugar evenly. Use a wooden spoon to avoid damaging the delicate fruits.
3. Setting aside: cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and set it aside in a cool place for 24-48 hours. Occasionally stir gently so the sugar dissolves and blends well with the raspberry juice. You can place the bowl in the refrigerator to maintain the freshness of the fruits.
4. Straining the juice: after this time, strain the juice through a cheesecloth or a fine sieve into clean bottles. Use a spoon or gently squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much juice as possible. Pour the juice into sterilized bottles or jars, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator.

1. Beverages: raspberry juice is great as a base for refreshing drinks. You can dilute it with sparkling water or add it to tea to create a delicious beverage.
2. Desserts: use the juice as an addition to ice cream, yogurt, or pudding. You can also drizzle it over pancakes or waffles to give them a unique taste.
3. Cocktails: add raspberry juice to your favorite fruit cocktails to enrich their flavor and nutritional value.
4. Salads: drizzle fruit or vegetable salads with a bit of raspberry juice to add a sweet, fruity flavor.