Cranberry Juice vs. Cranberry Cocktail: What's the Difference?

Placed next to each other on the juice shelf, these two drinks look nearly identical — except for one key word. So, what exactly separates cranberry juice from cranberry juice cocktail?

Cranberry Juice vs. Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Cranberry juice is typically labeled as "100% juice." While other fruit juices may be added to soften the tartness of cranberries, this label guarantees that the product is made entirely from fruit juices. Cranberry juice cocktail, however, contains added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for additional sweetness.

What really distinguishes the two drinks isn’t just the added sugar, but where that sugar comes from. Cranberry juice gets its sweetness from the natural fruit juices blended in, whereas cranberry juice cocktail uses refined sugars. While both drinks have similar calorie counts and vitamin C content, 100% juice provides extra nutrients from the additional fruits.

Unless a recipe specifically calls for 100% cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail, you can generally swap them without any issues.

Is Cranberry Juice Beneficial for You?

Cranberry juice is a rich source of both vitamin C and vitamin E.

Because cranberries contain phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory effects, some researchers believe that regular consumption of these phytonutrients may help protect heart health by slowing down artery damage.

A 2019 study involving overweight men found that drinking a cranberry beverage daily for eight weeks improved several heart disease risk factors, as reported by Healthline.

It's important to keep in mind that most fruit juices are fairly high in sugar. If you're trying to reduce your sugar intake, it's best to enjoy cranberry juice in moderation.

The ideal cranberry juice is one that is pure and free from added sugars.

Cranberry Juice and UTIs

You've probably heard that cranberry juice can help prevent or treat urinary tract infections. Here's why: Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which some believe can stop bacteria from growing and spreading, potentially preventing UTIs.

However, many experts remain skeptical about this theory. While some studies suggest cranberry juice may be effective in preventing or treating UTIs, others have found no significant impact.