What cranberry juice doesn't have sugar?

December 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a cup of pure, unsweetened cranberry juice contains approximately 31 grams of naturally occurring sugar, which is often a point of confusion for those asking what cranberry juice doesn't have sugar. The crucial distinction lies in separating juices with naturally occurring fruit sugars from those with added sweeteners.

Quick Summary

There is a significant difference between pure, unsweetened cranberry juice and cranberry juice cocktails. Learning to read product labels will help you identify options that contain only naturally occurring sugars or are sweetened with alternatives like stevia.

Key Points

Differentiate Pure vs. Zero: 100% pure, unsweetened cranberry juice contains natural fruit sugar, while 'zero sugar' drinks are artificially sweetened with no added sugar or calories.
Read Nutrition Labels: The key is to check the label for 'Added Sugars' (should be 0g) versus 'Total Sugars' (contains natural fruit sugar).
Avoid Cocktails: Most cranberry juice cocktails are loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and added sugars to mask the natural tartness.
Look for Specific Brands: Brands like Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened, R.W. Knudsen 'Just Cranberry', and Lakewood Organic offer 100% juice with no added sugar.
Embrace the Tartness: The pure, unsweetened version is naturally very tart; it's a taste you may need to acquire, but it delivers the most concentrated nutrients.
Enjoy Health Benefits: Pure cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, which supports urinary tract and heart health.
Consider Alternatives: If the tartness is too much, try mixing pure juice with seltzer or using it in smoothies to balance the flavor.

Understanding the "No Sugar" Cranberry Juice Landscape

Navigating the cranberry juice aisle can be tricky when seeking a sugar-free option. Manufacturers use various terms that can be misleading, so it's important to understand the different types available. The most significant differentiation is between 100% pure, unsweetened juice, artificially sweetened "zero sugar" drinks, and high-sugar cranberry juice cocktails.

100% Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

This is made by pressing cranberries without added ingredients like sugar. It contains naturally occurring fruit sugar, typically around 31 grams per cup. This type is known for its tart flavor and is a good source of antioxidants and Vitamin C.

Artificially Sweetened "Zero Sugar" Cranberry Juice

These drinks are not 100% juice and are sweetened with non-caloric options like stevia, resulting in zero sugar and fewer calories. They offer a sweeter taste than pure juice but have a lower concentration of cranberry nutrients.

How to Read a Cranberry Juice Nutrition Label

To choose the right juice, check the nutrition label carefully. Look at 'Total Sugars' (includes natural fruit sugar) and 'Added Sugars' (should be 0g for pure juice). The ingredients list for 100% pure juice should only show cranberry juice. Pay attention to serving size to accurately understand sugar content.

Popular No-Added-Sugar Cranberry Juice Brands

Several brands offer cranberry juice with no added sugar:

Ocean Spray® Pure Unsweetened Cranberry Juice: A 100% juice with no added sugar, known for its tart flavor.
R.W. Knudsen Family Just Cranberry: A 100% pure, organic, unsweetened juice.
Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry: A 100% pure, organic, not-from-concentrate juice with no added sugar.
Ocean Spray® ZERO Sugar Cranberry Juice Drink: Sweetened with stevia for a sugar-free, lower-calorie option.

Health Benefits of Pure Cranberry Juice (The Naturally Tart Kind)

Pure, unsweetened cranberry juice offers several health benefits:

Urinary Tract Health: Contains compounds that may help prevent UTIs.
Antioxidant Support: Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress.
Heart Health: May help improve heart health.
Dental Health: Can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Comparing Cranberry Juice Types


Feature	100% Pure Unsweetened	Zero Sugar Drink	Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Sugar	Naturally occurring (~31g per cup).	0g (artificial/natural sweeteners).	High added sugar (~30g per cup).
Ingredients	100% cranberry juice.	Water, concentrate, sweeteners.	Water, syrup, concentrate, flavors.
Taste	Very tart.	Sweetened, less tart.	Sweetened, masks tartness.
Calories	Higher (~116 kcal).	Very low or zero.	Higher (~136 kcal).
Nutrients	Higher concentration.	Lower concentration.	Low nutrient density.

Conclusion

To answer "what cranberry juice doesn't have sugar?", it's important to distinguish between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar. 100% pure cranberry juice has no added sugar but contains natural fruit sugar. 'Zero sugar' options use artificial sweeteners. For maximum natural benefits with no added sugar, choose 100% pure juice. For zero total sugar, select artificially sweetened versions. Always check labels to make an informed decision based on your health needs. More nutritional information is available from resources like Healthline.

How to Enjoy Tart Cranberry Juice

The tartness of pure unsweetened cranberry juice can be managed by diluting it with water, mixing it into smoothies, using it as a mixer, incorporating it into recipes, or adding a small amount of a natural sweetener like stevia.

Visit Healthline for more on cranberry juice and diabetes.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, 100% cranberry juice naturally contains sugar from the fruit itself. A cup typically has around 31 grams of naturally occurring sugar, but it does not contain any added sugar.

100% cranberry juice is pure fruit juice with only naturally occurring sugars. Cranberry juice cocktail is a sweetened beverage, often made with water, cranberry concentrate, and high amounts of added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

Yes, some brands like Ocean Spray offer 'Zero Sugar' cranberry juice drinks. These are typically artificially sweetened with non-caloric sweeteners like stevia, resulting in 0 grams of total sugar and fewer calories.

You can find pure unsweetened cranberry juice from brands such as Ocean Spray (Pure Unsweetened), R.W. Knudsen (Just Cranberry), and Lakewood Organic.

Artificially sweetened cranberry juice is a good low-calorie alternative to sugary cocktails. However, it contains fewer concentrated nutrients and antioxidants compared to 100% pure cranberry juice.

To make unsweetened cranberry juice more palatable, you can dilute it with water, mix it with other juices like apple or orange (adding sugar), or use it as a mixer in a smoothie.

You should opt for artificially sweetened 'zero sugar' options if you want to avoid all sugar. If you prefer natural sources, consume small, controlled portions of 100% pure unsweetened juice and account for the natural sugar content in your daily intake.

Cranberries are naturally tart and acidic fruits. Unsweetened juice contains only the flavor profile of the fruit itself, without any added sweeteners to balance or mask the tartness.