Wash canning jars, lids, and screw bands in hot soapy water. Rinse well. Keep hot jars warm in the canner or oven until ready to fill. This helps prevent breakage when adding hot juice.

Wash the Cranberries. Rinse your cranberries under cold water, adding a small splash of white vinegar to help remove any dirt or residue. As you rinse, sort through the berries and discard any that are soft, mushy, or discolored. Good cranberries should be firm and deep red, while bad ones often feel watery or limp.

Fill the Jars. For quart jars, add 1 ½ cups of whole cranberries; for pint jars, use ¾ cup of whole cranberries. If you’re adding a sweetener, add in ½ cup of sugar for quarts, or 4 tablespoons for pints.

Pour boiling water over the cranberries and sugar, filling the jars while leaving 1 inch of headspace at the top. Gently run a de-bubbler tool or a non-metal utensil around the edges to release any trapped air bubbles. You may even hear the cranberries pop a bit in the hot water.

Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp towel dipped in vinegar to ensure a clean surface, then place the lids on and tighten the screw bands just until fingertip tight.

Process the Jars. Carefully place your filled jars into the water bath canner, making sure they are covered with at least 1–2 inches of hot water. Bring the water to a full rolling boil, then start your timer. Process both quart and pint jars for 25 minutes (adjust the time if you’re at a higher elevation).

When the time is up, turn off the heat and carefully lift the jars out of the water using a jar lifter. Set them on a clean towel and let them cool undisturbed at room temperature. You’ll soon hear the satisfying “ping” of the lids sealing, a sign that your homemade cranberry juice is safely preserved.

Cool and Store. Carefully remove jars and place them on a towel at room temperature. Do not disturb for 12–24 hours. Once cooled, check for proper seals. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used within a few days. Store sealed jars in a cool dark place for best flavor.