Homemade cold raspberry juice: A taste of summer all year round

Instead of buying ready-made products full of sugar or other chemical additives, I prepare my supplies for winter in August. I make homemade cold raspberry juice from 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 wonderful fruits' fresh taste and nutritional value. You only need raspberries and sugar to prepare a refreshing drink perfect for hot days. The preparation process is simple, and the result is delicious.

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

The most important thing is the proportions: for 1 kilogram of raspberries, you need 500 grams of sugar. The juice is best stored in the refrigerator, retaining its freshness and nutritional values 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 whole thing so that the sugar is evenly distributed. You can 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 get as much juice as possible. Pour the juice into sterilised bottles or jars, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator.

1. Beverages: Raspberry juice is excellent 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: Add the juice to ice cream, yoghurt, or pudding. You can also drizzle it over pancakes or waffles to give them a unique taste.
3. Cocktails: Add raspberry juice to your favourite fruit cocktails to enrich their flavour and nutritional value.
4. Salads: Drizzle fruit or vegetable salads with raspberry juice to add a sweet, fruity flavour.