What Brand of Cranberry Juice Is 100% Cranberry?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute on Aging, checking ingredient lists is crucial for identifying added sugars in foods and beverages. When asking, "What brand of cranberry juice is 100% cranberry?" it's important to look beyond marketing and scrutinize the label for pure, unsweetened options.

Quick Summary

Several brands offer pure cranberry juice, but consumers must distinguish between true 100% juice and sweetened juice cocktails. Brands like Ocean Spray, Lakewood, and Biona produce genuine 100% cranberry juice. Understanding how to read labels for added sugars and fruit concentrates is key to selecting the purest product.

Key Points

Ocean Spray offers pure, unsweetened cranberry juice: While famous for its cocktails, the Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice is a legitimate 100% cranberry product with no added sugars or artificial flavors.
Look for '100% Juice' and no 'Cocktail': Always read labels carefully; the FDA requires a percentage of juice content to be listed. Avoid products labeled as "juice cocktail" or "drink," as these contain added sweeteners.
Check the ingredients list for purity: The best 100% cranberry juices, such as those from Lakewood Organic and Biona Organic, contain only cranberries and water (often from concentrate), with no added sugars or preservatives.
Pure cranberry juice is naturally very tart: Due to the intense flavor of cranberries, pure juice is often undiluted and extremely tart. Many brands suggest diluting it with water or another juice to make it more palatable.
Focus on the 'Added Sugars' line: The Nutrition Facts panel is your most reliable tool. A truly unsweetened 100% cranberry juice will list "0g Added Sugars".
Other pure cranberry juice brands are available: Aside from Ocean Spray, Lakewood Organic, Biona Organic, and R.W. Knudsen Family are excellent choices for consumers seeking a pure, unadulterated cranberry juice.

Finding Truly Pure Cranberry Juice

Navigating the juice aisle can be tricky. Many products are labeled with prominent cranberry images but are actually "juice cocktails" laden with added sugars and other, less expensive fruit juices like grape or apple to mask the tartness of pure cranberry. For those seeking the health benefits associated with cranberries, such as antioxidants and support for urinary tract health, selecting a product that is truly 100% cranberry is essential.

Ocean Spray: A Well-Known Option

Ocean Spray, a farmer-owned cooperative, is one of the most recognizable names in the cranberry juice market. While they are known for their popular cranberry juice cocktail, they also produce a genuine 100% cranberry product. Their Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice is a true 100% option.

What to look for on the label:

Name: Explicitly look for the product name Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice.
Ingredients: The ingredient list should be minimal, often just "cranberry juice from concentrate (water, cranberry juice concentrate)".
Nutrition Facts: The "Added Sugars" section on the Nutrition Facts panel should be zero.

Other Notable Brands Offering 100% Cranberry Juice

Beyond Ocean Spray, several other brands cater to consumers seeking pure, unsweetened cranberry juice. These brands often specialize in organic or premium products, providing excellent alternatives.

Lakewood Organic: This brand is known for its high-quality, pure juices. Their Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry Juice is fresh-pressed and contains no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. The label clearly states that each bottle is made from a significant amount of fresh cranberries, and it is also certified organic and non-GMO.
Biona Organic: For those who prefer a European brand, Biona offers a Biona Organic Pure Cranberry Juice. It is freshly pressed from organic cranberries and is not made from concentrate. This pure, tart juice is often recommended for mixing rather than drinking straight due to its intensity.
Knudsen: R.W. Knudsen Family offers a Just Cranberry Juice. This is another popular pure option, made with no added sugars or artificial additives.

How to Read the Label to Avoid Common Traps

To be sure you are purchasing a product that is truly 100% cranberry juice and not a sugary substitute, follow these label-reading tips:

Check the Percentage of Juice: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all juice products list the percentage of juice contained. Look for a large, clear "100% Juice" declaration.
Avoid Cocktails and Drinks: Any product with "cocktail," "drink," or "beverage" in its name is almost certainly sweetened and diluted. For example, "Cranberry Juice Cocktail" contains added sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup.
Inspect the Ingredient List: Ingredients are listed by weight. In a pure cranberry juice, the ingredients should simply be "cranberry juice" or "cranberry juice from concentrate" and water. If you see sugar, corn syrup, or other fruit juice concentrates like apple or grape listed early on, it is not 100% cranberry juice.
Examine the Nutrition Facts: The "Added Sugars" line is the most important indicator. A pure, unsweetened product will show 0g added sugars. The "Total Sugar" will come from the natural fruit sugars.

Comparison of 100% Cranberry Juice Brands


Feature	Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened	Lakewood Organic Pure	Biona Organic Pure
Origin	From concentrate	Fresh pressed	Fresh pressed
Organic	Not certified organic	Yes	Yes
Added Sugar	No	No	No
Preservatives	No	No	No
Flavor	Bold, tart cranberry flavor	Very intense, tangy, requires dilution	Very tart, intensely flavored
Packaging	Bottles (plastic)	Glass bottle	Glass bottle
Typical Price	Lower-mid range	Higher end	Higher end
Availability	Widely available	Specialty health food stores, online	Health food stores, online

The Health Benefits of Pure Cranberry Juice

By choosing a 100% pure cranberry juice, you maximize the health benefits of this powerful fruit. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins, which can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining, potentially reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The phytonutrients in cranberries also have anti-inflammatory properties that can support heart health by protecting against damage to blood vessels. Furthermore, pure cranberry juice provides a significant dose of vitamin C and E without the unnecessary calories and spikes in blood sugar from added sweeteners.

Conclusion

While many products masquerade as pure cranberry juice, several brands, including Ocean Spray, Lakewood Organic, and Biona Organic, offer authentic 100% unsweetened versions. The key to making the right choice lies in a careful examination of the product label, specifically the ingredient list and the "Added Sugars" on the nutrition panel. Opting for a truly pure cranberry juice ensures you receive the maximum health benefits from this super fruit without the detrimental effects of added sugars. For more health-related dietary information, consult resources like the National Institute on Aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brands that offer a truly 100% cranberry juice include Ocean Spray (specifically the "Pure Unsweetened" variety), Lakewood Organic, Biona Organic, and R.W. Knudsen Family.

To identify a pure cranberry juice, check the front of the label for a prominent "100% Juice" claim. Next, examine the Nutrition Facts panel to ensure there are "0g Added Sugars". Finally, read the ingredient list to confirm only cranberries and water are included.

Not all Ocean Spray cranberry juice is 100% pure. While they are known for their sweetened cranberry juice cocktail, they also produce a specific product called "Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice" that is 100% cranberry.

Pure cranberry juice is extremely tart because it does not contain any added sweeteners to mask the natural flavor of the fruit. Sweetened products use ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup or other fruit juices to make them more palatable.

Yes, 100% cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants and contains proanthocyanidins, which are believed to help support urinary tract health by preventing bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall. It also provides vitamins C and E.

Yes, "from concentrate" means the water was removed during processing and later re-added, while fresh-pressed juice is juiced directly from the fruit. Both can be 100% pure, but some prefer the taste and processing method of fresh-pressed options.

Yes, it is very common to dilute 100% cranberry juice with water, seltzer, or a sweeter fruit juice like apple or grape to reduce its tartness. Adding a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup can also be an option.