Homemade grape juice is rich, naturally sweet and much more flavorful than most store-bought bottles. Whether you have a backyard vine full of Concords or a bag of grapes from the store, this grape juice recipe shows you how to turn them into a delicious drink.
You can make grape juice three ways: with a juicer, in a blender or on the stovetop. Keep reading for each method step by step, which grapes work best, how to make the juice taste even better, tasty blends, nutrition facts and how to store it.
The short version: To make grape juice, wash and stem about 2 pounds of grapes and run them through a juicer, or blend them briefly and strain. For classic deep purple Concord juice, simmer stemmed grapes with a little water for about 10 minutes, mash them, then strain through cheesecloth. Taste before you sweeten, because ripe grapes are naturally very sweet, and store the juice in the fridge.
Inside this guide
- Why Make Homemade Grape Juice?
- Method 1: Grape Juice With a Juicer
- Method 2: Grape Juice in a Blender
- Method 3: Stovetop Concord Grape Juice
- Juicer vs Blender vs Stovetop Grape Juice
- Best Grapes for Juice
- How to Make Grape Juice Taste Better
- Tasty Grape Juice Blends
- Grape Juice Nutrition
- How to Store Homemade Grape Juice
- What to Do With Leftover Grape Pulp
- Grape Juice for Kids and Parties
- What Not to Do
- Grape Juice vs Wine Grapes vs Table Grapes
- Grape Juice Yield Guide
- How to Pick Grapes for Juicing
- Red vs White Grape Juice
- Grape Juice Spritzer Bar
- Quick Grape Juice Tips
- Common Questions
- Before You Go
Why Make Homemade Grape Juice?
- No added sugar if your grapes are ripe.
- Real grape flavor with no fillers.
- Use any grapes: red, green, black or Concord.
- Great for big harvests: Turn extra grapes into juice before they spoil.
- Kid-friendly and perfect for parties.
Method 1: Grape Juice With a Juicer
This is the part of the grape juice recipe I get asked about most.
This is the fastest way to make fresh, raw grape juice.
Ingredients (Makes About 12 to 16 oz)
- 2 lb seedless grapes (about 6 cups)
- Squeeze of lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the grapes well under running water.
- Remove the stems. Small bits of stem are fine, but large stems can taste bitter.
- Juice slowly. Feed a handful at a time. Slow juicers handle grapes very well. Centrifugal juicers work too but may foam.
- Strain (optional). Pour through a fine mesh strainer for smooth juice.
- Taste. Add a squeeze of lemon if it is very sweet.
- Serve chilled.
If your grapes have seeds, a slow juicer usually separates them into the pulp. Learn more in our masticating juicer guide.
Method 2: Grape Juice in a Blender
Here’s what to know for a better grape juice recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless grapes
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water
- Squeeze of lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Add grapes and water to a blender.
- Blend for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not over-blend, especially if grapes have seeds, which can taste bitter when crushed.
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag.
- Press gently to get the juice out.
- Chill and serve.
Method 3: Stovetop Concord Grape Juice
This classic method makes rich, deep purple juice, perfect for Concord and other seeded grapes.
Ingredients (Makes About 4 to 5 Cups)
- 3 lb Concord grapes (or other grapes), stemmed
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and stem the grapes.
- Combine grapes and water in a large pot.
- Mash the grapes lightly with a potato masher.
- Simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the grapes are soft. Do not boil hard.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. For very clear juice, let it drip without pressing.
- Sweeten to taste while warm, if needed.
- Chill. Some sediment may settle at the bottom. That is normal.
For large harvests, a steam juicer is the easiest way to make Concord grape juice in big batches.
Juicer vs Blender vs Stovetop Grape Juice
| Method | Flavor | Time | Best grapes | Batch size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juicer | Fresh, bright | 10 minutes | Seedless table grapes | Small |
| Blender | Fresh, slightly thicker | 10 minutes | Seedless grapes | Small |
| Stovetop | Deep, rich, cooked | 30 to 45 minutes | Concord, seeded grapes | Medium |
| Steam juicer | Rich, clear | 60 to 90 minutes | Concord, wine grapes | Large |
Best Grapes for Juice
| Grape | Color | Flavor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | Deep purple | Bold, musky, classic “grape juice” | Seeded, best cooked |
| Red seedless (Crimson, Flame) | Red | Sweet, mild | Great for fresh juice |
| Green seedless (Thompson) | Pale green | Light, crisp | Makes white grape juice |
| Black seedless | Dark | Rich, sweet | Deep color, great flavor |
| Muscadine | Bronze or purple | Very aromatic | Thick skins, best cooked |
| Cotton Candy | Green | Very sweet, vanilla-like | Fun, sweet juice |
Pro tip: Mix red and green grapes for a balanced, sweet-tart juice. Want white grape juice? Read our green grape juice post.
Concord grapes are the secret to that classic deep purple grape juice flavor most Americans grew up with.
Quick Recap
- Use a juicer or blender for fresh, quick grape juice.
- Use the stovetop or a steam juicer for rich Concord juice.
- About 2 lb of grapes makes 12 to 16 oz of juice.
- Do not over-blend seeded grapes, or the juice can turn bitter.
How to Make Grape Juice Taste Better
- Add lemon or lime to brighten very sweet juice.
- Mix grape varieties for more depth.
- Chill well. Cold grape juice tastes crisper.
- Dilute strong juice with water or sparkling water.
- Add spices like cinnamon or clove to warm stovetop juice for the holidays.
Tasty Grape Juice Blends
Grape Apple Juice
Juice 2 cups grapes with 1 apple. Sweet and smooth. See our apple juice recipe.
Grape Berry Juice
Juice grapes with 1 cup strawberries or blueberries.
Grape Lemon Sparkler
Mix grape juice with fresh lemon juice and top with sparkling water.
Grape Cranberry Juice
Mix 3 parts grape juice with 1 part cranberry juice. Tart and festive.
Grape Kale Juice
Juice grapes with a few kale leaves and a squeeze of lemon. The grapes hide the green taste. For more green ideas, see our green juice recipe and our post on the benefits of kale juice.
Grape Watermelon Cooler
Mix equal parts grape and watermelon juice.
Grape Juice Nutrition
Grape juice provides some vitamin C (often added in store-bought juice), potassium and plant compounds called polyphenols. Concord grape juice is especially rich in these colorful compounds. You can explore nutrition data in USDA FoodData Central.
Grape juice is naturally high in sugar and low in fiber. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that most fruit come from whole fruit. Enjoy grape juice in small portions, and consider diluting it for kids.
How to Store Homemade Grape Juice
- Fridge: Store fresh juice in a sealed jar for 2 to 3 days. Stovetop juice keeps about 5 to 7 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe jars with 1 inch of headspace for up to 6 to 12 months.
- Canning: For shelf-stable juice, follow tested recipes and processing times from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Fresh, raw juice is not pasteurized. The FDA recommends extra care for children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system.
What to Do With Leftover Grape Pulp
- Add to smoothies (seedless pulp only).
- Mix into muffins or quick breads.
- Simmer with sugar and lemon for a quick grape jam (strain seeds first).
- Compost the rest.
Grape Juice for Kids and Parties
- Grape juice popsicles: Freeze juice in molds with a few halved grapes.
- Grape spritzer: Half grape juice, half sparkling water. Lower in sugar and fizzy.
- Purple punch: Mix grape juice, lemonade and sparkling water for a party punch.
- Frozen grape ice cubes: Freeze whole grapes and use them as ice cubes so the juice does not get watered down.
What Not to Do
- Blending seeded grapes too long. Crushed seeds make juice bitter.
- Leaving lots of stems. They add a bitter, woody taste.
- Boiling too hard on the stovetop. It can make the juice taste cooked and dull.
- Pressing the pulp too hard. You get cloudy juice.
- Skipping the wash. Grapes can carry dirt and residue.
Grape Juice vs Wine Grapes vs Table Grapes
Table grapes (like red seedless) are bred for snacking and make sweet, mild juice. Concord grapes are a “slip-skin” American grape with a bold flavor and are the classic choice for grape juice and jelly. Wine grapes are smaller, with thick skins and high sugar, and they can make very rich juice, but they are harder to find in grocery stores.
Grape Juice Yield Guide
| Grapes | Approx. juice (juicer) | Approx. juice (stovetop) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | 3/4 to 1 cup | About 1 cup |
| 3 lb | 2 1/2 to 3 cups | About 3 cups (with added water) |
| 10 lb | 8 to 10 cups | 8 to 10 cups |
Juicy, fully ripe grapes give the most juice. Grapes picked a little early will be more tart and give less.
How to Pick Grapes for Juicing
- Look for plump grapes that are firmly attached to the stems.
- Check the color. Red and black grapes should be deep in color. Green grapes should have a slight yellow tint when ripe.
- Taste one. It should be sweet with no sour or fermented flavor.
- Avoid shriveled or moldy grapes. Remove any bad ones before juicing.
- Look for a white “bloom” on the skin. This natural, powdery coating is a sign of fresh grapes.
Red vs White Grape Juice
| Factor | Red or purple grape juice | White grape juice |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes used | Red, black or Concord grapes | Green grapes |
| Flavor | Bold, rich, sometimes musky | Light, crisp, sweet |
| Color | Deep red to purple | Pale gold |
| Plant compounds | Higher in colorful anthocyanins | Lower in colorful pigments |
| Stains | Yes, can stain fabrics | Rarely |
Both are tasty. Red grape juice is the classic choice, while white grape juice is great for kids, light spritzers and mixing with other fruit juices.
Grape Juice Spritzer Bar
For a party, set up a self-serve grape juice bar:
- Pitchers of red and white grape juice
- Sparkling water and club soda
- Lemon and lime wedges
- Fresh mint and rosemary
- Frozen grapes as ice cubes
Guests can mix their own spritzers with as much or as little juice as they like.
Quick Grape Juice Tips
- Freeze whole grapes and use them as ice cubes.
- Chill grape juice well before serving.
- Dilute strong Concord juice with water or sparkling water.
- Taste before sweetening; ripe grapes are very sweet.
- Strain stovetop juice slowly for clearer results.
Common Questions
How do you make grape juice from fresh grapes?
Wash and stem the grapes, then run them through a juicer. Or blend them briefly with a little water and strain. For rich Concord juice, simmer the grapes with water, mash and strain.
How many grapes does it take to make a cup of grape juice?
About 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of grapes make roughly 1 1/2 to 2 cups of juice, depending on the grapes and your method.
Do I need to remove grape seeds before juicing?
A slow juicer usually separates seeds into the pulp. In a blender, blend seeded grapes only briefly, or use seedless grapes, because crushed seeds can make juice bitter.
What grapes make the best grape juice?
Concord grapes make the classic, bold purple grape juice. Red and black seedless grapes make sweet, fresh juice. Green grapes make light white grape juice.
How long does homemade grape juice last?
Fresh grape juice lasts 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Cooked grape juice lasts about 5 to 7 days. Freeze it for longer storage.
Before You Go
This homemade grape juice recipe works for any grapes and any kitchen. Use a juicer or blender for fresh, quick juice, or simmer Concord grapes on the stovetop for that classic, deep purple flavor. Taste before sweetening, dilute strong juice with sparkling water and store extras in the freezer.
Try a grape apple or grape berry blend next. For more ideas, browse our juicer recipes or try our steam juicer guide for big harvests.
