15 Cranberry Juice Brands, Ranked
Cranberry juice is a delicious, refreshing beverage with a tinge of tartness. Rich in immunity-boosting vitamins C and E, cranberry juice is derived from small red berries native to North America that grow on low-lying vines. The unique cranberry harvesting process takes place in late fall in the U.S., which is the world's largest producer of cranberries. Cranberries are often associated with Thanksgiving since they were widely harvested and prized by Native Americans as a superfood.
Since cranberry juice is naturally low in sugar and typically tart, some producers add sugar and other sweeteners, so carefully read the labels before you buy. You can always add a spoonful of honey for a natural sweetener that takes the edge off cranberry juice's sometimes overpowering tartness. Drink it on the rocks, or use it as the tart, juicy base for a mocktail or cocktail (one perfect for Thanksgiving). For a non-alcoholic glogg, warm cranberry juice in a saucepan with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and honey to taste.
Even with its benefits, it can be hard to choose which cranberry juice to buy with so many options out there. That's why we tried 15 different cranberry juice brands, and ranked them from worst to best.
15. Ocean Spray Light Cranberry Juice Drink
Ocean Spray's lighter take on cranberry juice promises a familiar cranberry taste with fewer calories. Sweetened with sucralose and fructose (in addition to sugar), it packs a mere 50 calories and 10 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving. The main ingredient in this juice is filtered water, with cranberry juice derived from concentrate as the second ingredient. That combo gives this lighter juice a watery, thin mouthfeel.
The inclusion of grape juice minimizes the tartness of the cranberries, but also overpowers the berries' flavor, making Ocean Spray Light Cranberry Juice Drink taste more like grape juice with a touch of cranberry. The artificial taste of sucralose — an additive with 600 times the sweetness of regular sugar – is also evident in every sip. Since the sugars in juice can send your blood sugar levels soaring, this is a good pick for anyone who craves cranberry juice, yet prefers to keep watch on their blood sugar levels.
14. Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice Drink
If you want a drink without the high sugar and calorie counts found in typical fruit juices, Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice Drink is for you. The juice drink has the lowest nutritional counts in our ranking, with only 5 calories per 8-ounce serving, and 1 gram of sugar. The main ingredients are filtered water and cranberry juice concentrate, with pectin, citric acid, fumaric acid, and ascorbic acid.
The combination of ingredients delivers a relatively subtle option without the robust and zesty cranberry flavor. This makes Ocean Spray Diet ideal if you prefer a sweeter-tasting juice without a tart, sourberry taste. The downside to this Ocean Spray option is that the juice also includes Red 40 to amplify the drink's fuchsia hue, as well as the artificial sweetener sucralose — two ingredients that can adversely affect a person's health and internal systems.
Though Healthline reports health organizations have found Red 40 isn't harmful to most people, some individuals may have an allergic reaction when consuming the petroleum-based ingredient. High doses of sucralose — the main ingredient in the artificial sweetener Splenda — may potentially affect a person's health negatively by raising blood sugar and insulin levels (via Healthline).
13. Amazon's Happy Belly Cranberry Juice from Concentrate
Affordable yet thin on rich cranberry flavor, Amazon's Happy Belly Cranberry Juice from Concentrate features filtered water as its main ingredient. This is followed by cranberry juice from concentrate, which gives the juice a very mild cranberry taste (and watery consistency). Still, if you're looking for an inexpensive cranberry juice, this juice from Amazon's Happy Belly line of generic staples will fit the bill.
If you're watching your sugar, note this cranberry juice contains 25 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving, and clocks in at 110 calories. The lack of cranberry flavor is reflected in the fact that vegetable concentrate is yet another ingredient added to give it that crystal cranberry color (rather than actual pressed cranberries).
Each serving does contain 90 milligrams of vitamin C, though. So if you're looking to increase your vitamin C intake on a budget, and don't have to worry about your blood sugar levels? Happy Belly Cranberry Juice from Concentrate makes for a good choice — one best served over ice.
12. Santa Cruz Organic Cranberry Nectar Juice
Santa Cruz Organic Cranberry Nectar Juice is a bit of a misnomer, as its main ingredient (after filtered water) is actually a combination of organic white grape and cranberry juice concentrates. With that in mind, this super sweet, crisp, and refreshing juice is for anyone who prefers only a hint of cranberry tartness over a full-on punch of cranberry flavor. Because it contains as much white grape juice as cranberry juice, though, it doesn't contain as much vitamin C as a 100% cranberry juice might.
This juice is one of many quality organic juices produced by Santa Cruz Organic – a pioneering organic brand based in California — which aims for sustainability, and boasts its usage of only organically-grown fruit. Though it manages to balance a high sugar content with acidity, each 8-ounce serving of this juice contains a whopping 33 grams of sugar and 150 calories, so this is a juice best enjoyed in moderation if you're watching your sugar intake.
11. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Ocean Spray was the first large-scale producer of cranberry juice drinks in the U.S. in the 1930s, with its Cranberry Juice Cocktail being the first cranberry juice to hit the national market. It also appeared in a viral 2020 TikTok video, when skateboarder Nathan Apodaca filmed a video of himself sipping on a big juice bottle (while lip-synching Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams") on his way to work on a skateboard — sending sales skyrocketing.
This classic juice keeps it natural, and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives (as well as no high fructose corn syrup). Yet it also packs 25 grams of sugar and 110 calories per 8-ounce serving, so it's not exactly a low-sugar juice. Additionally, the cranberry flavor doesn't come on strong in this juice — an unsurprising discovery, since filtered water is listed as its primary ingredient — and the addition of vegetable concentrate gives it that unmistakable cranberry color minus the richness of actual cranberries. Drink it over ice, or use it as the base for an underrated holiday mocktail.
10. Langers Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Family-owned Langer Juice Company has been producing quality juices since the 1960s. Its Cranberry Juice Cocktail contains filtered water as the first ingredient, with cranberry juice concentrate coming in second (and sugar third). Each 8-ounce serving contains 110 calories, and a whopping 27 grams of sugar (compare that to one 7.5-ounce can of Coca-Cola, which contains 25 grams of sugar).
It's a good reminder that some fruit juices can be just as sugary as sodas — and that the consumption of drinks with high levels of added sugar may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a 2012 study published in Clinical Nutrition.
While Langers cranberry juice cocktail nearly meets the daily recommended value of vitamin C in a single serving, it's also over-the-top sweet. This makes for a delightful cranberry-flavored treat that's a good pick for anyone who can't tolerate the bitterness of cranberries, as the high sugar content erases any trace of tartness.
9. Ocean Spray Sparkling Cranberry Cocktail
Ocean Spray's sparkling take on cranberry juice offers a refreshing version of the classic juice. Quite frankly, if you're looking for a bubbling cranberry-flavored refreshment option, this conveniently canned juice will do the trick. Made with cranberry juice from concentrate, it contains no potentially harmful artificial sweeteners or additional preservatives, and its big bubbles offer a refreshing mouthfeel.
Unfortunately, the sparkling juice's third ingredient, grape juice, overpowers the tart cranberry flavor, making it taste more like a fizzy grape juice with a touch of cranberry flavor. Still, this soda alternative contains 18 milligrams of vitamin C per serving, and only 70 calories, giving it an edge over other standard fizzy beverages (though it does contain 17 grams of sugar per can).
Plus, its slick, silver cans make it a good choice for on-the-go sipping. Drink it straight from the can, or work it into a non-alcoholic apple cider cranberry spritz.
8. R.W. Knudsen Family Sparkling Cranberry Juice
With its crystal pink hue and fine, champagne-worthy bubble factor, it would be easy to mistake a coupe glass filled with R.W. Knudsen Family Sparkling Cranberry Juice for one filled with pink champagne. Since it's also served in an elegant, champagne-like glass bottle, this delicious, sparkling cranberry juice beverage is the perfect non-alcoholic pick for your holiday table. It's festive, bubbly, and fun — with a hint of cranberry tartness, and a lingering sweet-yet-crisp cranberry aftertaste.
This juice will also work well as a non-alcoholic mixer in your favorite champagne-based cocktail recipe. R.W. Knudsen sticks with simple ingredients in this cranberry bubbly: filtered water, plus cranberry and apple juice concentrates as the sweetener of choice. This means its sparkling cranberry juice isn't cloyingly sweet — though it does contain 22 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving. It offers a nice balance of sweetness and tartness on the palate, enlivened by the perfectly tiny, effervescent bubbles.
7. Open Nature 100% Cranberry Juice not from Concentrate
There is much to like about Open Nature 100% Pure Cranberry Juice. The fruit juice comes in a recyclable 33.8-ounce glass bottle for starters, and features an ingredient list that includes exclusively not-from-concentrate cranberry juice. Open Nature's product has only 80 calories per 8-ounce serving, very little sodium (only 10 milligrams per serving), and no added sugars, colors, or preservatives. While the natural sugars are higher than some of the other 100% pure juices, with 18 grams per serving, the sugar helps balance the tart, tangy cranberry flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
One of the other things we like about Open Nature's product is that it appears to come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee; so if you aren't happy with the juice, you can return it for a full refund from the company. Open Nature Cranberry is perfect for pairing in a cranberry gin cocktail, where the herbaceous, botanical liquor will marry with the fruity flavors of the juice.
6. Simply Cranberry Cocktail
Simply brand juices packages its juices in transparent bottles made with 100% recyclable #1 PET plastic (which could easily be mistaken for glass) — and right off the bat? We were struck by the rich garnet color of Simply Cranberry Cocktail. It's also available in three sizes: a 52-ounce option (that's pretty enough for a breakfast tablescape), a 32-ounce one, and an 11.5-ounce bottle that's perfect for sipping on the go.
Using 'cocktail' in its name is a bit of a misnomer, though, as it's made with just four listed ingredients: pure filtered water, cranberry juice, cane sugar, and natural flavors. Each 8-ounce serving contains 34 grams of sugar and 130 calories, so it's on the sweeter end of the scale. But Simply Cranberry Cocktail balances its sweetness with the natural tartness of cranberries.
The cane sugar brings out the cranberry flavor, as well — making this brand a good pick when you're looking to add rich cranberry flavor to a cranberry cocktail recipe, or as the key ingredient in homemade cranberry sauce.
5. Whole Foods 365 Organic Pure Cranberry Juice from Concentrate
The 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Pure Cranberry juice delivers a zingy, refreshing juice from a fairly-limited ingredient list. In fact, the USDA-Certified organic product only includes filtered water, organic cranberry juice, and organic cranberry juice concentrate. With only 7 grams of sugar (and 70 calories) per 8-ounce serving, it has one of the lowest sugar contents of all the selections in our rankings, as well — making it perfect for those seeking a low sugar drink.
Because of its lower sugar content, the taste is bitter, with a pronounced tart berry flavor. However, Whole Foods' organic selection is ideal for anyone who drinks cranberry juice for its healthful qualities. It will provide the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals you seek from cranberry juice, while keeping your glycemic index low. If the taste is too powerful, though, we suggest adding a fresh squeeze of lemon, a slice of orange, or a splash of sparkling water to cut its intensity.
4. Langer Farms All Cranberry 100% Juice from Concentrate
Coming from the family-owned Langer Juice Company, Langer Farms All Cranberry 100% juice is a much healthier product than some alternatives. Unlike the Langer Cranberry Juice Cocktail (which has 27 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving), its All Cranberry Juice contains a mere 7 grams of sugar and 60 calories per serving — the lowest calorie count of any entry in our cranberry juice rankings.
Langer Farms' juice comes from sustainably grown produce, and has no additional sweeteners, preservatives, or artificial colors. Instead, the product includes only pure cranberry juice from concentrate and filtered water. Though the juice is from concentrate, the nutritional content is the same as juice not made from concentrate, since the ingredient list doesn't include any added sugars (like corn syrup). Concentrating the juice by removing the water reduces the ability for bacteria to grow, as well, creating a longer shelf life.
If you prefer sweeter-tasting juice, it may be best to skip this option. However, for cranberry purists looking for an undiluted, authentic taste? This is the juice for them. Langer Farms All Cranberry juice has a zesty, mouthwatering astringency that packs a punch of deliciously sharp berry flavor. If your palate happens to find the product's taste too strong, add a splash of water or seltzer, which will thin out the juice — thus softening the strong, acidic flavor.
3. Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Over 850 cranberries go into each 32-ounce Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened Cranberry juice bottle, providing the nutritional equivalent of 1 cup of fruit in each 8-ounce serving. Additionally, Ocean Spray's cranberries are grown using sustainable methods in North America, with each product in the producer's extensive beverage selection offering something different to consumers.
Ocean Spray Pure is ideal for those who want an all-natural, unsweetened cranberry flavor; after all, the sole ingredients are water and cranberry juice from concentrate. Each low-sodium, preservative-free serving has 9 grams of sugar and 60 calories. If drinking cranberry juice to derive its nutritional benefits — including improving heart and digestive health – is important to you, Ocean Spray's Pure is a suitable option.
The antioxidant-rich juice has one of the lowest caloric counts of the producer's wide selection of cranberry juice options (among those that don't contain additional sweeteners, like sucralose or stevia). The juice is quite tart and tangy, with an authentic, full-bodied cranberry flavor — which we find exceptional when mixed into a holiday cranberry-rosemary spritzer.
2. R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Cranberry Juice
The second spot in our best cranberry juice rankings belongs to yet another R.W. Knudsen product: R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Cranberry Juice. Rich in tart cranberry flavor, this is a juice for cranberry juice purists, as it only contains two ingredients: filtered water, and cranberry juice concentrate. It contains no added sugars, no added juices, no preservatives, no artificial flavors — and it's certified USDA Organic.
Because it has no added sweeteners of any kind, it's naturally lower in calories, with a mere 70 calories per 8-ounce serving. And since it's so rich in cranberry flavor, it's a great option to use in any recipe that calls for cranberry juice — though its elegant color makes it worthy of being served in a crystal glass, as well.
Tart on the palate, it's also refreshing. Try serving it warm in a mug with a spoonful of honey and a cinnamon stick for a late-fall or winter beverage.
1. Lakewood Organic Fresh Pressed Pure Cranberry Juice
Lakewood Organic has been family-owned and operated since its start nearly a century ago. Its flavorful line of juice products delivers high-quality ingredients that make you feel good about drinking them. We love that the Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry juice includes non-GMO cranberries, which are freshly-pressed to extract their tangy, tart, and zesty flavor.
That flavor comes from 3 pounds of organic cranberries in each 32-ounce bottle, delivering a vegan-friendly, gluten-and-preservative-free juice. Each recyclable glass bottle is free of BPA, BPS, and DEHP, too – chemical compounds known as endocrine disruptors, according to a 2013 study published in PLOS One, that are often found in plastic bottles. The 100% pure, not-from-concentrate cranberry juice doesn't include additional sweeteners, either, or added water to thin its naturally rich consistency. Only including the fruit's all-natural sugars ensures the drink has a punchy sharpness and high acidity, which are two defining characteristics we expect to find in quality cranberry juice.
With only 80 calories and 11 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving, Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry juice ranks number one on our list due to its all-natural, full-flavored, and authentically-refreshing cranberry taste (with just the right amount of natural sweetness). We suggest adding it to a Christmas holiday punch to give the cocktail a bold cranberry flavor, or freezing it in ice cube trays for a vodka martini on the rocks.