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Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink is a delightful blend of white cranberry and strawberry juices. It not only tantalizes the taste buds with its sweet and refreshing flavor, but it also offers versatility that can elevate simple recipes to something truly special.
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How to make Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink
Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink is a fruit beverage made by Ocean Spray, a company known for its cranberry-based products. This juice drink combines white cranberries, a less common variety of cranberries harvested earlier than red cranberries, with a strawberry flavor. The result is a sweet and slightly tart juice blend.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of white cranberry juice (If you have trouble finding white cranberry juice, you can substitute it with regular cranberry juice, though the flavor and color will differ slightly.)
- 2 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2 cups of water
- ½ cup of sugar, adjust based on your preference (honey or agave syrup can be a substitute if you prefer a natural sweetener)
- 1 lime, juiced (optional, for a tangy kick)
- Fresh strawberries and lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Strawberry Puree: Combine the fresh strawberries with 1 cup of water in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a container, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Sweetener: Combine the remaining 1 cup of water and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar fully dissolves into a simple syrup. Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the white cranberry juice, strawberry puree, and half of the lime juice. Stir well. Taste and decide if you’d like it tangier; if so, add the rest of the lime juice. Gradually add the simple syrup, tasting as you go until you reach your preferred sweetness level.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mixture until it’s thoroughly chilled, about 1-2 hours.
- Serve: Serve the drink over ice, garnished with slices of strawberry and lime for an extra touch of freshness.
Tips:
- Adjust Sweetness: The sweetness of the strawberries can vary widely depending on their ripeness and the season. Always taste your mixture before adding the simple syrup and adjust accordingly.
- Natural Variation: If you prefer your juice to be more natural, you can reduce the sweetener or look for 100% pure white cranberry juice with no added sugars.
- Preservation: If you’re not planning to consume the juice immediately, consider adding a small amount of citric acid or ascorbic acid (Vitamin C powder) to help preserve the color and freshness.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add other fruits to the blend. A bit of peach or apple can complement the cranberry and strawberry flavors for a more complex profile.
What to serve with
Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink is a versatile beverage that can be served on various occasions. When deciding what to serve with the drink, consider the setting, whether it’s a casual brunch, a formal dinner, a party, or just a relaxing day at home.
Breakfast or Brunch
- Pancakes or Waffles: The juice can complement a plate of fluffy pancakes or waffles topped with syrup and berries for a flavorful start to the day.
- Yogurt Parfait: Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh fruit. The tartness of the juice balances the creamy richness of the yogurt.
- Pastries: Enjoy it with a selection of breakfast pastries, like croissants or Danish, which can help temper the juice’s sweetness.
Lunch
- Sandwiches: Serve the juice with various sandwiches, from classic turkey and cheese to vegetarian options like a hummus and veggie wrap.
- Salads: A crisp salad, especially one with fruits and nuts, complements the juice’s fruity profile.
- Cheese and Fruit Platter: Create a platter with cheeses, such as brie, cheddar, or goat cheese, and add a selection of fresh fruits like grapes, apple slices, or pears.
Dinner
- Seafood: White fish, shrimp, or scallops pair nicely with the light and fruity nature of the juice.
- Chicken: For a well-rounded meal, serve grilled or roasted chicken with a side of rice or vegetables and this refreshing Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink.
- Pork: The sweet and tangy flavors of the juice can complement dishes like pork loin or chops.
Desserts
- Fruit Tarts: A fruit tart with a similar berry profile would be enhanced by the juice’s complementary flavors.
- Chocolate Desserts: The acidity and sweetness of the juice can cut through richer chocolate desserts like mousse or a chocolate fondue.
Cocktails
- Sangria: For an easy sangria, mix the juice with a bottle of white wine, add sliced fruits like oranges and apples, and, if desired, a splash of brandy.
- Mimosas: Use the juice instead of orange juice to make a fun twist on this classic brunch cocktail.
- Vodka Spritzer: Combine the juice with vodka and top with club soda for a fizzy and refreshing drink.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
- Mocktails: Combine the Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink with sparkling water and fresh lime for a simple, refreshing mocktail.
- Tea: Serve it alongside a glass of chilled iced tea. You can even use the juice to sweeten the tea instead of using sugar or honey.
Ingredients Substitutes
To recreate a version of Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink at home, you can use natural ingredients and adjust sweetness to your preference. This homemade version allows you to control the quality of ingredients and avoid preservatives and additives.
White Cranberry Juice:
- Homemade Option: Making white cranberry juice at home is challenging because white cranberries are rarely fresh. Use regular cranberry juice as an alternative, knowing it may lend a darker and slightly more tart flavor.
- Store-Bought Substitute: For a healthier version, look for 100% cranberry juice with no added sugars, although this will likely be less sweet than the Ocean Spray version.
Strawberry Juice:
- Homemade Strawberry Juice: Blend fresh or frozen strawberries with a bit of water, then strain the mixture to remove the seeds. Adjust with more or less water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Store-Bought Substitute: If available, buy pure strawberry juice or as a second option, a berry blend that includes strawberries.
Added Sweetener:
- Natural Sweeteners: Instead of refined sugar, consider sweetening your drink with honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup. Adjust the sweetness according to your taste.
- Artificial Sweeteners: If required for dietary reasons, use a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or sucralose. Be cautious with quantities as these can vary in sweetness intensity.
Final Thoughts
By making your version of Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice drink, you can adjust the flavors and sweetness to your liking and enjoy the freshness of homemade juice.
More Drink Recipes:
Ingredients
- 4 cups of white cranberry juice
- 2 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2 cups of water
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 lime, juiced
- Fresh strawberries and lime slices for garnish
Instructions
- Strawberry Puree: Combine the fresh strawberries with 1 cup of water in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a container, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Sweetener: Combine the remaining 1 cup of water and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar fully dissolves into a simple syrup. Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the white cranberry juice, strawberry puree, and half of the lime juice. Stir well. Taste and decide if you'd like it tangier; if so, add the rest of the lime juice. Gradually add the simple syrup, tasting as you go until you reach your preferred sweetness level.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mixture until it's thoroughly chilled, about 1-2 hours.
- Serve: Serve the drink over ice, garnished with slices of strawberry and lime for an extra touch of freshness.
