Apple Juice: A Refreshing and Nutritious Drink

Apple juice is a popular drink consumed all over the world because of its sweet and refreshing taste. It is prepared by extracting liquid from fresh apples, retaining most of the fruit’s nutrition; natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Know more about the health benefits of apples.

A delicious alternative to sugary soft drinks, apple juice quenches thirst and provides essential nutrients that add to overall health.

Regardless of whether taken on its own or as part of any formula, apple juice just happens to be one of the flexible liquids that can be consumed at different times.

Nutrients Apple Juice

Apple juice is full of a category of nutrients that have been discovered to be healthy. It is rich in natural sugars, thanks to the sugar content in apples. It also provides carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. 

Moreover, it contains several antioxidants, of which flavonoids inhibit inflammation and support health at the heart.

While fresh apple juice is full of a good amount of vitamins, moderation in consumption is key as natural sugars increase more calories; hence, intake together with other fruits and vegetables is advisable.

Check out the side effects of apples to know if apple juice suits you or not.

Homemade Fresh Apple Juice

In this recipe, one prepares homemade fresh juice; however, this leaves space for the appreciation of complete flavors while benefiting from fruits.

Ingredients

• 6-8 medium apples. (Fuji, Honey crisp, or Gala apple work best).
• Water (optional, for dilution)
• Sugar or honey (optional, to taste)

Instructions

1. Wash the apples clean under running water. Cut them into quarters, stripping out the core with any seeds.
2. If you have a juicer, just feed apple quarters through the juicer. If you don’t have a juicer, blend apple pieces with a little water until the mixture is smooth enough to strain.
3. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
4. After juicing, you can taste it. If it is not sweet enough, you may add a little sugar or honey; however, this is entirely optional.
5. Pour the juice into glasses and serve chilled.
6. Garnish with apple slices or a sprig of mint for added flair.

Know more about types of apples, to see which apples are best for your taste.

Variations of Apple Juice

Once you have mastered basic juice, you can explore many tasty variations that enhance the flavor and nutritional benefits.

Spiced Apple Juice

This is perfect when it’s too cold outside.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh apple juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 orange peel

Instructions

1. Add the juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, and orange peel to a saucepan
2. Medium heat until hot with infusing spices for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain and serve warm or chilled. This drink is great to have for the holidays and a quiet night at home.

Check out other ways to eat apples.

Green Apple Juice

This juice is power-packed with greens.

Ingredients

• 4 green apples. You can use Granny Smith.
• 1 cucumber
• Squeeze of 1 lemon
• A handful of fresh spinach or kale

Instructions

1. Wash and chop the apples and cucumber into pieces
2. Juice the green apples, cucumber, and fresh spinach in a juicer.
3. Add the lemon juice and serve immediately.

This is a very refreshing drink full of vitamins A and C, and iron.

Apple Berry Juice

This colorful juice is quite appealing both in color and nutrition.

Ingredients

• 4 apples
• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Juice the apples and berries together in a juicer.
2. Add lemon juice for better flavor and serve chilled. This juice is full of antioxidants, so it’s one of the best options if you want a refreshing drink.

Check about whether you should use apple peel or not.

Tips to Enjoy Apple Juice

To get the most out of your apple juice experience, consider these tips.

• Always serve apple juice cold for a refreshing beverage, especially during warm weather. You can chill it in the refrigerator or serve it over ice.
• Apple juice can be blended with other fruit juices, such as orange, carrot, or pineapple. Juice addition enhances flavor and also increases nutritional value.
• It makes a great drink base for cocktails. Mix it with sparkling water, gin, or vodka to create a fruity and refreshing adult beverage. A non-alcoholic version would be a mixture of apple juice and club soda.
• You can use it as a base for smoothies to get natural sweetness in them. You can combine bananas, spinach, or yogurt as additions to a healthy breakfast or snack.
• It may be frozen in ice cube trays and placed in drinks to cool them without dilution. The frozen cubes may also be added to smoothies for a refreshing twist.
• Pour it into molds and freeze to make homemade popsicles. Add in slices of fresh fruit or even yogurt for added texture and flavor. These are the best treats for kids, and they are way healthier than store-bought popsicles.

Check out apple seeds to find out why you shouldn’t add them to your juices.

Conclusion

Apple juice is an excellent and diversified drink; it can be consumed in various ways, whether fresh juices or spiced variants, the list goes on.

Besides hydrating the body, it also possesses a lot of essential nutrients for building a healthy lifestyle.

Try these recipes and tips and enjoy the delectable flavors and health benefits of this popular drink!