11 Best Apple Juice Brands Of 2023
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! But sometimes what you really want is the crisp, refreshing taste of a fresh apple juice.
Because of its popularity, there are so many juice brands on the market, which can make it tough to know where to start when it comes to choosing the best.
There is something classic and comforting about having a glass of apple juice with your breakfast (or any meal) and today we want to help you find the best possible option for your morning routine.
Most commercial brands are made from concentrate and have loads of added sugar. This processing makes them about as healthy as a soda and not the best choice to start off your day.
So, what makes one apple juice better than another? The best apple juices are cold-pressed, not from concentrate, undiluted, and have no added sugars or preservatives. You may also want to look for brands that are made from natural ingredients, stored in glass bottles, unfiltered, and made from organic apples.
Read on to discover the best apple juice brands on the market today!
How to Choose the Best Apple Juice
1. Cold-Pressed
One of the best ways to preserve the nutrition and flavor of your juice is to choose a cold-pressed option.
Other forms of juicing often rely on heat-producing processes to extract the juice from whatever fruit or vegetable they’re juicing. This heat can impact the nutrition and taste of the final product.
As you may guess from the name, cold-pressed juices are not heated during the juicing process and are made using a hydraulic press.
It uses thousands of pounds of pressure to extract the most juice and nutrients possible from whichever fruit or veggie is being processed.
There is no excess heat or oxygen used in the process to keep the juice as fresh as possible. This type of juicing helps to preserve flavor, color, and nutrition in the final product.
That means your apple juice is going to have a bright, fresh, and natural taste.
2. Not From Concentrate
Concentrating juices is a process companies use to save money when shipping products around the world.
This process often uses chemicals to remove the water from the juice and can decrease the nutritional content of the final product.
Juices that are from concentrate have gone through the process of extraction and evaporation and then had water added back in as the last step to create a drinkable product.
They are also often heated, which can impact the final taste since the juice will no longer be fresh.
Sometimes companies may include other additives and sweeteners to make up for the flavor and color lost through processing.
When looking for the best apple juice, try to find one that isn’t from concentrate so that you maintain all the health benefits and fresh flavors in your drink.
3. Unfiltered
Many natural juice companies are starting to skip the filtering process because they found that filtration removes some health benefits from the final product.
These juices may be a little cloudier than the filtered versions, but the taste is great and you’re getting more nutrition per sip.
Some companies even found that by not filtering their juices they contained up to twice as many antioxidants as filtered options. That’s a big difference based off one small change.
Typically, unfiltered apple juice would actually be cider if it’s also unpasteurized, but since these juices all go through the pasteurization process, they are classified as juice instead.
4. No Added Sugars or Preservatives
Though apples are undoubtedly healthy, you want to be careful when it comes to buying apple juices in particular. Fruit juices already have their natural fiber removed in the juicing process, which makes them concentrated sources of sugar.
Watch out for brands that add extra sweeteners as they can end up having more sugar than a can of soda.
Apples are naturally high in sugars, so you don’t want to add any extra sweetener to your juice.
You also want to avoid chemical preservatives if possible and look for natural preservative options such as citric acid, which is another name for vitamin C.
5. Made From Natural Ingredients
When you’re shopping for a high-quality apple juice, you want the main ingredient to be real apples. You also want to make sure any other ingredients in your juice are natural as well.
We included one brand of apple juice below that has other flavor options, but they are made with all-natural fruits or herbs.
6. Stored in Glass Containers
If you’re adding apple juice to your life for the health benefits, then looking for one that comes in a glass container can make sure you’re getting the highest quality.
Unfortunately, plastic containers are often made with compounds such as BPA, BPS, or DEHP, which can leech into your juice.
These types of compounds may have hormone-disrupting effects, so the best brands of apple juice will often store their product in glass bottles to preserve freshness, flavor, and nutrition.
If you’re getting your juice delivered, you may want to ensure that you’re home for the delivery to catch any possible broken bottles.
If that happens, just take a photo as soon as you open the box and contact the company for a refund or replacement.
7. Organic
According to the Environmental Working Group’s Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen, apples rank as one of the top five most highly contaminated fruits and veggies.
That means that even after washing and peeling, there were still high levels of pesticides found within the apple.
To keep your juice as pure and healthy as possible, we suggest looking for organic brands. This will help limit the amount of pesticide contaminants in your final product.
Organic vegetables and fruits are also often grown in nutrient-rich soil, which can also make the final juice product more nutritious and flavorful.
8. Undiluted
One of the best qualities of a good juice is the delicious apple flavor, which can be lost if you buy a product that’s been diluted.
If you’re spending a lot of money on a high quality juice, you don’t want it to be watered down. Some juice companies will add extra water to save money.
This dilution will affect the final flavor and decrease the amount of nutrition per serving.
I recommend looking for juices that haven’t been diluted. If you want to mellow out the flavor, you can add water, carbonated water, other fruit juices, or tea to your apple juice.
That way you are in control of the final flavor and you’re not paying extra for water.
11 Best Apple Juice Brands
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Evolution Fresh Organic Apple Juice | Cold-pressed, organic, undiluted |
2. | Royal Apple Pure Premium 100% Apple Juice | Cold-pressed, unfiltered, glass jar, several flavors |
3. | Red Jacket Orchards Fiji Apple Juice | Cold-pressed Fiji apples, gold standard, unfiltered |
4. | North Coast Organic Apple Juice | 64 fl oz glass bottle, organic, unfiltered |
5. | 365 Everyday Organic Gravenstein Apple Juice | Gravenstein apples, not from concentrate |
6. | 365 Everyday Value Organic Honeycrisp Apple Juice | Organic Honeycrisp apples, glass bottle |
7. | 365 Everyday Value Organic Apple Juice | Unfiltered, 64 fl oz glass bottle, organic |
8. | Lakewood Biodynamic Apple Juice | Organic and biodynamic, fresh-pressed, undiluted |
9. | Santa Cruz Organic Apple Juice | Organic, added vitamin C, filtered, |
10. | R.W. Knudsen Organic Apple Juice | Organic, filtered, added vitamin C |
11. | Martinelli's Organic Apple Juice | Award-winning, organic, several versions |
1. Evolution Fresh Organic Apple Juice
Taking top spot on our list today is the Evolution Fresh Organic Apple Juice.
It is the only juice on the list that is both cold-pressed and organic.
That means more of the nutrients are going to be preserved in the final product and there is a lower risk of pesticide contamination.
It doesn’t come in a glass bottle, but it is undiluted and the only ingredient in the product is organic apples so you know there are no added sugars or preservatives.
It has a lovely fresh apple taste that isn’t too tart or too sweet, just smooth and delicious.
It may have a slightly different texture than you’re used to if you often drink juice from concentrate, but we love it. Some natural separation may occur due to it being unfiltered, so just give your juice a little shake before enjoying.
2. Royal Apple Pure Premium 100% Apple Juice
This juice from Royal Apple snaps up the second spot because it is another cold-pressed option.
It doesn’t make first place though because the apples aren’t certified organic, which means there is the potential for some pesticide contamination, so that is something you may want to consider.
It does get extra points for coming in small, individual serving-size glass jars, which means that your juice can stay fresh and sealed until you’re ready to drink it.
This company also doesn’t filter their juice, so you’re left with all the nutrients from their blend of Jonagold, Idared, Gala, and Golden Delicious apples.
There are no added sugars or preservatives and it doesn’t come from concentrate. As a bonus, they offer a couple of delicious blends such as an Apple Mint and an Apple Pear if you want to try something new.
All the ingredients are grown in Poland.
3. Red Jacket Orchards Fiji Apple Juice
Red Jacket Orchards takes our third spot because it’s the last juice on the list that is cold-pressed; the gold standard for preserving nutrition and fresh apple flavor.
However, it doesn’t come in glass bottles and it isn’t organic either, which places it squarely in third place.
It is unfiltered, so make sure you give it a shake before drinking.
It’s also packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. Unlike other juices which are often made from a variety of apples, Red Jacket uses Fiji apples only, which gives their product a distinctly sweet, almost pear-like flavor.
There is some extra vitamin C added as a preservative and to increase the nutrient levels. No extra water is added, which means you get 100% juice in every sip.
It comes in a twelve-pack so that you can open the bottle you need and keep the rest of your juice fresh.
4. North Coast Organic Apple Juice
These next five juices are all basically equal when it comes to ticking the boxes we outlined above for choosing the best quality apple juice.
What the decision will come down to is your budget and your taste preferences. We’re going to give you a rundown so you can choose the best option for you.
We like the North Coast Organic apple juice brand because it comes in a large glass bottle.
This selling feature may be a downside for you depending on how quickly you tend to go through your juice and how much space you have available in your fridge.
The size listed above is 64 fluid ounces, but they also make another option that is 128 fluid ounces, which is almost 4 liters. If you have a large family or just really love apple juice, this brand might be the best value for your dollar.
It is made from a blend of different 100% USDA certified organic apples and is unfiltered to preserve all the antioxidants and nutrition of a fresh apple. This brand has no added sugars or preservatives and comes in a glass bottle.
5. 365 Everyday Organic Gravenstein Apple Juice
The next two juices on the list are unique because they are each made from one specific type of apple, instead of a blend.
This process gives them a more distinct flavor than a blended apple juice and can be great for those folks looking for something a little more special.
Gravenstein apples were brought over to America from Germany in the 1800s and the apples for this juice are grown in Sonoma County in California.
They have a unique, full-bodied, sweet-tart flavor with a refreshingly clean taste.
This juice is the house brand from Whole Foods Market, so they pride themselves on creating products that are fresh, not from concentrate, and have no added sugars or preservatives.
Like the other high-quality juices on this list, this option comes in a glass bottle.
6. 365 Everyday Value Organic Honeycrisp Apple Juice
If you’re looking for another great option that has a distinct, specific apple taste, then the 365 Everyday Value Honeycrisp apple juice might be perfect for you.
It comes from 100% USDA Certified Organic Honeycrisp apples grown in Washington State.
Honeycrisp apples are a cross between the Honeygold and Macoun apple varieties and are appropriately named for their delicious, sweet-tart flavor.
That flavor is preserved because there are no added colors, sugars, preservatives, or additives, keeping your juice pure and fresh.
It comes in a glass bottle and is also a great price for the amount and quality of juice that you get.
7. 365 Everyday Value Organic Apple Juice
A final option from 365 Everyday Value is a blended 100% USDA Certified Organic apple juice.
Unlike the previous two options from this company which are made from specific types of apples for a distinct flavor, this option is made from a variety of apples to give a more well-rounded apple juice taste.
This juice is unfiltered, preserving all the nutrition you want in an apple juice. Just remember to give it a little shake before you drink if it separates a bit.
It is also free of added sugars, preservatives, colors, and additives so you get that fresh apple flavor.
It comes in a large glass bottle, 64 fluid ounces, which may be a bonus if you drink a lot of apple juice.
However, if you have a smaller-sized fridge or don’t go through as much juice, you might want to choose a different option. You could also transfer it to small bottles once you bring it home.
The 365 Everyday Value juices really do offer great flavor, quality, and value. They get top marks from us, since they hit every requirement aside from being cold-pressed.
8. Lakewood Biodynamic Apple Juice
Lakewood Apple Juice is 100% Certified Organic, but it also goes a step further and is made from apples grown on a biodynamic farm.
Biodynamic farming focuses on holistic practices that care for the earth, animals, and plants grown on the farm.
These practices include a focus on biodiversity, composting, crop rotation, and livestock integration.
It helps protect the whole farm ecosystem and can produce some very high-quality products. These apples are grown without synthetically compounded fertilizers or pesticides.
If you’re interested in farming, where your food comes from, and its impact on the ecosystem, then Lakewood Biodynamic may be the perfect brand for you.
It is fresh-pressed, not from concentrate and has no added sugars or preservatives. Like the other juices on this list it isn’t diluted and it comes in a 32 ounce glass jar.
9. Santa Cruz Organic Apple Juice
The next two options rank just below the five brands above. The Santa Cruz 100% USDA Certified Organic Apple Juice is a great option to try.
It’s not from concentrate and is made of an apple blend to provide a crisp, smooth, apple flavor.
It doesn’t have any extra sweeteners or additives, though there is some ascorbic acid (vitamin C) added as a natural preservative and to boost the nutrition of the final product.
Unlike some other options, the Santa Cruz juice is filtered, so it may have a slightly thinner texture.
Filtering will also remove some antixoidants and nutrients, but you may prefer the final product in terms of taste, so it really comes down to preference.
The filtration process is what ranks it lower on the list. There may be some natural separation that occurs, so shake it up before you sip.
If you have a family or really love your apple juice, Santa Cruz makes a large 96 fluid ounce jug, which will give you great value for your money. Both options come in solid glass bottles.
10. R.W. Knudsen Organic Apple Juice
R.W. Knudsen makes some great organic, natural juices and their apple juice is no exception.
It’s very similar to the Santa Cruz brand in terms of being a blend of different types of apples, going through a filtration process, and comes in a glass bottle.
It is made from 100% Certified Organic USDA apples and contains no extra sugars or additives.
Like the Santa Cruz brand, there is some ascorbic acid (vitamin C) added to preserve freshness and color. This addition will give you a little extra vitamin C to help you meet your daily recommendations.
Since these juices are so similar, your ranking will really come down to a taste preference. It comes in a 32 fluid ounce bottle, which makes it a good fit for an apartment-sized fridge if that’s a concern.
11. Martinelli’s Organic Apple Juice
Martinelli’s has been making apple juice since 1868 and has even won awards for their product.
The only reason we placed it at the bottom of the list is that it comes in a plastic jug, whereas the rest of the organic options that aren’t cold-pressed come in glass.
It is still a great option though, because it comes from U.S. grown organic apples and doesn’t contain any sugars, additives, or preservatives.
It has a lovely fresh, ripe apple flavor. It even tastes great warmed up with a cinnamon stick for a tasty treat.
Remember that these options that don’t come from concentrate and that aren’t sweetened may take a couple tries to get used to, but once your taste buds adapt you’ll wonder how you could have ever drank the other sugar-filled kinds.
Martinelli’s makes lots of other types of apple juices from unfiltered, to kids’-sized, and regular pressed juice, so they’re sure to offer a product that suits your preferences and your budget.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what to look for in terms of buying the best quality apple juices, you will be able to choose the best option wherever you shop. Apple juices are great on their own and also make a great base for smoothies or mocktails.
You may need to try a couple different brands before you find the one that you like best. Don’t be afraid to make it an adventure and have fun with the process!
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