Can You Freeze Apple Juice?

4 minutes

As a kid, all I would drink was apple juice. Not the greatest, I know. But it’s so sweet and delicious! And those popsicles my mum would make from apple juice… delicious! Whoops, looks like I gave the answer away – yes, you can freeze apple juice! The key is to do it properly…

How to Freeze Apple Juice

Freezing apple juice is a simple process – make sure to follow our instructions so your juice stays fresh and tasty.

1. Consider the size of the container – Water-based liquids, such as apple juice can expand by as much as twenty percent while they’re frozen. Therefore, consider how much apple juice you have, and allow for twenty percent expansion in your container.
2. Decant into the container – Decant all of the juice that you’re currently working with into the container that you’re using. Try to avoid spilling around the rim, as spilled juice could impede the seal of the container that you’re using.
3. Seal tightly – Seal the container tightly – ideally, make use of an airtight container to ensure that the flavor of the juice is maintained as well as possible.
4. Freeze – Place the apple juice container at the edge of your freezer, where it can sit and freeze without becoming freezer-burned. Do this so that more delicate items at the center of your freezer are protected.

3 Tips for Freezing Apple Juice

1. Ensure the container is sealed – Making sure that the container is sealed will prevent flavor loss in your juice. Therefore, make sure to tip the container around a little, as that will show you there are no tiny holes through which the juice could leak.
2. Sterilize the rim of the container – This is an old trick from canning recipes – wiping down the lip of a container with white vinegar will prevent bacteria from forming at that boundary edge, letting your juice stay good for a while longer.
3. Avoid creating a vacuum – Creating a vacuum will change the temperature at which the juice freezes. In turn, this would mean that the juice isn’t stored as safely, and might have to be thrown out.

How Long Can You Freeze Apple Juice?

You can freeze apple juice for around one year before you might start to notice some loss of flavor. This is the same for a number of different juices, since the water content of the juice can be lost while frozen.

After that time, the juice will likely still be totally safe to eat; however, the apple flavor in the juice will begin to degrade, leaving you with a very sweet, and not terribly flavorsome, juice.

How Do You Defrost Apple Juice?

You can defrost apple juice by leaving the sealed container on the counter and letting it sit for several hours, or you can allow the juice to thaw overnight in the fridge.

Once the juice has thawed, we recommend stirring it and then tasting it for sweetness, as it may have become sweeter over time. To return it to its original sweetness, you may have to dilute it a little. Unless you have a sweet tooth like me.

Can You Refreeze Apple Juice?

Yes, you certainly can. The reason for this is that there are no proteins in the juice that can be damaged over time. Therefore, you won’t experience textural degradation, which you might in a smoothie or a milkshake.

To refreeze apple juice, just follow the same steps that you followed in order to freeze the juice the first time around: use a large container with plenty of headspace (be sure to leave enough room for expansion), and freeze it at the edge of your freezer.

Does Apple Juice Freeze Well?

Yes, apple juice does freeze well! As with all water-based liquids, there is no real damage that occurs during the freezing process, which means that it can be preserved extremely well with time.

To ensure that your apple juice freezes as well as possible, we would recommend ensuring that the juice is as clear as possible before freezing. If you’re freezing a more rustic, pulpy apple juice, it would be wise to filter it through a cheesecloth or a paper filter before totally freezing it.

Fun Ways to Freeze Apple Juice

Your inner child will love these fun ways to freeze apple juice. Yes, it’s okay to share with your kids too 😉

1. Sweet Apple Slush – This is one you’ll love on a hot day! The only other things you’ll need are coconut creme, guava juice, pineapple juice, and mango juice.
2. Popsicles and Ice Lollies – Frozen juice is perfect for popsicles and ice lollies. For even more fun, add some juice, let it freeze, then add some other colorful layers in turn. Make a rainbow of delicious fun!
3. Ice Cube Trays – Apple juice in ice cube form is just FUN! Simply pour the juice in ice cube trays and follow our other instructions for freezing. Once fully frozen, store them in the tray or transfer them to a freezer bag.