Apple juice is hands down one of the most popular fruit juices out there. In fact, it was the #1 most popular juice sold in the United States in 2019! As apple enthusiasts ourselves, we strongly agree with you, America! This sweet treat is as refreshing to enjoy iced in the summer months, as it is to sip warmed with a cinnamon stick when the cooler fall weather hits.
This popularity and versatility are without a doubt in part responsible for the innumerable apple juice options that line the fruit juice aisle of grocery stores and supermarkets. The sheer number of choices can render the apple juice selection process a rather complicated one!
So, we’re tasting and reviewing as many of the best apple juice varieties as we could find. No need to let a bad apple juice spoil your bunch! We’ve got all of the best apple juice options, from organic to kid friendly, right here, right now. Get your glass ready, you’ll be well on your way to keeping that doctor away in no time.
Table of Contents
What is Apple Juice?
Thankfully, there is little mystery to the product known as apple juice. Simply put, it’s the extracted juice from ripe apples!
Within the umbrella category of apple juice, however, there are several variations to note. First and foremost: apple cider. While apple cider is a type of apple juice, it is in a category of its own therefore we opted not to include any of this variety in our evaluations.
Types of Apple Juice
Most store bought apple juices are filtered, giving them that clarified deep golden coloring we know and love. However, there are some brands which opt to leave their apple juice unfiltered , thereby leaving the juice with a cloudy appearance and natural appeal.
Some apple juices are nothing more than 100 % pure, freshly pressed juice while other varieties may be made from apple juice concentrate that is mixed with water and sweetened. Still, other apple juice options may be a blend of apple + other juice like grape, cranberry, pear, or even vegetable juices.
Ranking the Best Apple Juices
The Test Subjects
Our great apple juice harvest yielded the following crop of 14 brands and varieties of apple juice:
- 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Honeycrisp Apple Juice
- Bragg Organic Apple Cinnamon Refresher
- Capri Sun 100% Apple Juice
- Evolution Fresh Organic Apple + Greens Cold Pressed Juice
- Honest Kids Organic 'Appley Ever After' Juice
- Langer's 100% Organic Apple Juice
- Martinelli's Gold Medal Unfiltered Apple Juice
- Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Juice
- Mott's 100% Apple Juice
- North Coast Organic Apple Juice
- Red Jacket Orchards Fuji Apple Juice
- RW Knudsen Organic Apple Celery Cucumber Juice
- Santa Cruz Organic 'Sensible Sippers' Apple Juice
- Trader Joe's 100% Apple Juice
The Methodology
In order to narrow down our winner selections, we established 6 distinct categories of review, from each of which one winning apple juice would be chosen:
- Best Basic Apple Juice
- Best Organic Apple Juice
- Best Apple-Veggie Juice Blend
- Best Unfiltered Apple Juice
- Best Apple Juice for Kids
- Best Unique Apple Juice
The Taste Test
We conducted our apple juice evaluations via a blind taste test so as to avoid any brand recognition. We tasted the juices in order of predicted sweetness to help avoid any mis-judgements due to varying sugar levels as well as to minimize palate overwhelm.
The Criteria
Throughout the taste testing, research, and comparison stages of our apple juice study, each product was given a score in each of the following 5 criteria:
- Taste & Texture: considering the flavor and consistency of each apple juice in terms of apple-ness, balance of sweetness and tang, and textural issues like viscosity and pulp content.
- Nutrition Content: particularly looking at figures such as calorie and sugar contents as well as vitamins, minerals, and overall quality of ingredients used. Even though different juices featured different serving sizes, we calculated everything to an 8 fluid ounce portion size.
- Unique Characteristics: this may be a special flavor, noteworthy ingredient, or any other factor that makes one apple juice stand out from the rest.
- Value: standardized to a price per ounce measure.
- Production & Packaging: where each apple juice is made and distributed, how much processing it undergoes, whether or not the company employs sustainability measures, and any noteworthy features of the packaging.
From the 5 individual scores we calculated an overall average grade for each apple juice. The highest scoring juice in each of our 6 categories went on to be crowned our winners!
Best Basic Apple Juice:
Trader Joe's 100% Apple Juice
Size: 64-Ounce Bottle
Type: 100% Juice
Here is how Trader Joe's 100% Apple Juice scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.8 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.3 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.4 / 5.0
- Value: 5.0 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
Trader Joe’s Apple Juice is one of few “basic” apple juice varieties we found that is made from pressed apples. Where other big apple juice brands often consist of apple juice concentrate that has been reconstituted with water--and sometimes even sweetened with added sugar--this juice is just, juice!
We love how the folks at Trader Joe’s use a blend of Pacific Northwest apple varieties to craft their juice. The result is an incredibly fresh tasting beverage that has all of the classic apple juice characteristics you know and love: sweet taste balanced by just the right amount of tartness, a brassy golden color, and perfect clarity! With its apple-y taste and nicely balanced flavor, this juice is a real crowd pleaser--sure to satisfy kids and adults alike.
The super large 64-ounce bottle--yes, half a gallon!--is bound to last you a long time, even if there are several apple juice lovers dipping into it regularly. The economy size also makes this pick our best budget buy, as with a price tag of just $2.99, it comes out to just $0.05 per ounce. As an excellent source of vitamin C, each serving of this juice provides 50% DV of the important nutrient plus a bit of potassium as well.
Unfortunately, this apple juice takes the trophy for highest sugar content, coming in with a whopping 28 grams of it per serving. This also gives the juice a relatively high calorie content as well, with 120 per serving. Needless to say, this is not the healthiest apple juice we tried but it stands strong as the one most representative of the classic apple juice we all know and love!
Pros:
- Made from pressed apples, not juice concentrate.
- Crafted from a blend of apple varieties.
- Flavor profile is fresh tasting, classically sweet yet tart.
- Large bottle is great for sharing.
- The most affordable apple juice variety we tested.
- Excellent source of vitamin C.
Cons:
- Not the healthiest apple juice option.
- High in sugar and calories.
Best Organic Apple Juice:
North Coast Organic Apple Juice
Size: 32-Ounce Bottle
Type: 100% Juice
Here is how North Coast Organic Apple Juice scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.5 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.7 / 5.0
- Value: 4.4 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.7 / 5.0
This Organic Apple Juice from the fruit experts at North Coast is in a league of its own. They got their start in Sonoma County, California in 1922, meaning this team has been turning out quality apple products for over 100 years! It’s no wonder their juices are so special.
This apple juice is made from several varieties of certified organic apples, which are carefully chosen to complement one another in the final juice. The fresh apples are pressed to release their juice which is then bottled and pasteurized for safety. No filtering, no preservatives, no added colors, and no added sugars here! North Coast apple juice is USDA certified organic, non-GMO project verified, and bottled in BPA free packaging. This apple juice is made from 100% US grown apples and North Coast even uses solar energy to help power their juice production.
And as for the taste? It is: Full. Apple. Flavor. Our tasting panel found the natural taste of this juice to be perfectly sweet--not near as tart as other juices that feature added ascorbic acid--offering an experience like that of orchard fresh juice. One of our tasting panel even complimented this juice for being “more mature” than most other apple juices out there on store shelves.
We admit, we struggled to get our apple-loving hands on a bottle of this juice though. Big box grocery stores in our area did not seem to carry any North Coast flavor of juices (though we did find their apple sauces and fruit purees!), so we had to make a trip to the health food store for this one.
Also, if you prefer your apple juice more refined, this option may not be to your taste. There definitely was some sediment clinging to the bottom of our bottle and no matter how much shaking or stirring we did, it remained as clumps floating around in the juice. Not the most pleasant drinking experience but with everything else this juice has going for it, we forgive it!
Pros:
- Made from a hand-chosen variety of organic apples.
- Minimally processed--just freshly pressed, pure apple juice!
- USDA organic, non-GMO, and BPA free.
- Apples are US grown and harvested.
- Made with solar energy.
- Has the most apple forward flavor of all we tested.
Cons:
- Not as readily available as other apple juice brands.
- Lack of filtration results in sediment clumps and bits floating around the juice.
Best Apple-Veggie Juice Blend:
RW Knudsen Organic Apple Juice with Celery + Cucumber
Size: 32-Ounce Bottle
Type: 100% Juice
Here is how RW Knudsen Organic Apple Celery Cucumber Juice scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.1 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.8 / 5.0
- Value: 4.5 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.8 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
RW Knudsen’s Apple Juice blend is a mixture of apple, celery, and cucumber juices, making it our top pick for best Apple-Veggie Juice Blend! The naturally sweet, floral taste of apple juice makes it perfect for pairing with counterparts that lean more towards the savory side.
As with all products from this brand, the ingredients list is super clean, featuring just the aforementioned three key juices in concentrate form, plus filtered water and lemon juice concentrate. It is USDA certified organic, non-GMO project verified, and completely free from artificial preservatives and flavors.
Our tasting panel found the sweet apple and refreshing cucumber-celery combo to be an interesting yet complementary pairing, offering consumers a great way to reap the benefit of veggies--hold the salad bowl please! The apple flavor is light yet prominent and the overall sweetness is pleasantly mellow as well. This juice is low in calories with just 50 per serving as well as is low in sugars, with just 11 grams per serving.
That said, this juice may not taste quite sweet enough for some folks. The naturally salty flavor of the celery definitely comes through here, and when combined with cucumber juice, most certainly brings some veggie funk to the table. We recommend drinking this juice chilled as opposed to room temperature, and if you prefer your juice fruity and delicate, you may want to opt for one of the sweeter juices here!
Also, we can’t say we found ourselves falling head over heels for the murky brownish-gold appearance of RW Knudsen Organic Apple Celery Cucumber Juice. It may not be the prettiest but it does have a lot going for it!
Pros:
- Sweet apple nicely compliments the savory veggie juices.
- Clean, simple ingredients list.
- Certified organic and non-GMO.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Low in sugars.
- Low in calories.
Cons:
- Overall flavor may be too vegetal for some.
- Not the best in coloring or appearance.
Best Unfiltered Apple Juice:
Red Jacket Orchards Fuji Apple Juice
Size: 32-Ounce Bottle
Type: 100% Juice
Here is how Red Jacket Orchards Fuji Apple Juice scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
- Value: 4.4 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.8 / 5.0
As opposed to being clarified, unfiltered apple juice is simply left as is--in its natural, wonderfully hazy state! This cloudy apple juice from Red Jacket Orchards was our hands down favorite in the natural apple juice department and here’s why.
Unlike the other apple juices we tasted which featured a delicious blend of apple types, this option is centered on just one single apple variety: the Fuji apple. This focus produces a juice which is so uniquely flavored and rings true to the apple varietal itself with a surprisingly bright, lightly sweet, somewhat pear-like and almost citrusy flavor. We love the pale, peachy coloring of the juice which is unlike any of the others we tested, and can see this one working especially nicely for mixing cocktails or mocktails.
In addition to the fact that this is a cold pressed apple juice, it is also flash pasteurized as opposed to traditionally pasteurized. This is important to note because it means that the juice has experienced lower levels of heat treatment, thereby preserving more of the integrity, appearance, and natural nutritional makeup of the fresh juice itself. As they say on the bottle, this one is “as close to eating the real fruit as you can get”!
We also love that Red Jacket Orchards is--and has been since 1958!--family owned and operated in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Their fresh pressed juice options are a testament to their dedication to quality and each serving of their Fuji Apple Juice packs a punch of 150% your DV of vitamin C to boot!
One key downside here is that due to the minimal processing, this juice must be refrigerated at all times--even if you haven’t broken the seal yet. You’ll find it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store and it must remain in refrigeration once you get it home too.
Also, it’s good to note that this juice definitely does not look like classic apple juice. In fact, if we saw a glass of it sitting on the countertop, “apple juice” would most definitely not be the first guess as to what it is. If you’re looking for an apple juice with a more typical presentation, move along!
Pros:
- Unfiltered and minimally processed.
- Crafted to highlight the special flavor of the Fuji apple varietal.
- Cold pressing and flash pasteurized--locking in fresh flavor and maximum nutrition.
- From a family owned and operated business.
- Each serving gets you 150% DV vitamin C!
Cons:
- Juice is not shelf stable & must be refrigerated prior to and after opening.
- Appearance is not like that of traditional apple juice.
Best Apple Juice for Kids:
Honest Kids Organic 'Appley Ever After' Juice
Size: 6-Ounce Juice Box (Pack of 8)
Type: 42% Juice
Here is how Honest Kids Organic 'Appley Ever After' Juice scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.6 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 5.0 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.5 / 5.0
- Value: 4.8 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.6 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.7 / 5.0
Factors like a naturally sweet taste and an approachable flavor make apple juice a top favorite for most kids. But not all juice boxes and pouches are the real deal! The Honest Kids Organic 'Appley Ever After' Juice brings it home with a great tasting and great-for-you apple juice option.
First things first, this juice is neatly packed into little 6 fluid ounce boxes--the perfect size for kids or kids at heart. This juice is nice and low in sugar, with just 8 grams per 8-ounces–perfect for young taste buds which are extra sensitive to a big sugar rush. All of the sugar in these apple juice boxes is naturally occurring, with nothing extra added, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial sweeteners. This juice is USDA certified organic, non-GMO, and provides 90% your DV of vitamin C!
We love that most of the packaging that Honest Kids uses is recyclable--from the outer plastic film to the cardboard insert, to the individual paperboard cartons themselves. And, if apple juice ends up becoming a bore, there are plenty of other tasty Honest Kids juice flavors to choose from like berry good lemonade, strawberry peachy keen, and super fruit punch!
While we appreciate the attention to sugar content offered by this apple juice brand, we have to say, we found the flavor of this juice to be on the more watery side and not quite as apple-y as we were hoping for. Again, these juice boxes are designed for lesser-developed palates, but according to the tasting panel, this is not the richest, fruitiest tasting juice out there.
This may be in part due to the fact that it’s made from concentrate--as opposed to those freshly pressed options we covered before--and is reconstituted to a 42% juice concentration with added flavors to round it out. Needless to say, not the most natural choice here!
Pros:
- Packaged in kid-sized cartons!
- Low in sugar, just 8 grams per 8-ounces.
- No HFCS or artificial sweeteners.
- USDA organic and non-GMO project verified.
- 90% DV vitamin C per 8-ounces!
- Packaging is mostly recyclable.
- Available in a range of other fun flavors.
Cons:
- Overall taste is a bit watery and not that apple forward.
- Made from concentrate.
- Only qualifies as 42% juice.
Best Unique Apple Juice:
Bragg Organic Apple Cinnamon Refresher
Size: 16-Ounce Bottle
Type: 20% Juice
Here is how Bragg Organic Apple Cinnamon Refresher scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.4 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.6 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
- Value: 4.2 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.5 / 5.0
Bragg is one of the most well known apple cider vinegar brands out there, but…apple juice? Yep! We were surprised too, but this 100+ year old company is now crafting bottled apple juices complete with a dose of their classic ACV goodness.
Each 16-ounce bottle contains a full 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and while you can certainly taste it, the vinegar punch here is far more palatable than taking a straight shot of it. We love that they opted to flavor this batch with real cinnamon for a warm and toasty flavor profile, but if cinnamon is not your thing, you could also opt for their “pomegranate cherry” or “honey green tea” options.
Each 8-ounce serving has just 5 grams of sugar and 20 calories, figures they are able to keep nice and low due to the inclusion of natural alternative sweeteners like monk fruit extract and stevia extract. Bragg’s refreshers are USDA certified organic and non-GMO project verified. If you are looking to add some gut friendly bacteria or are hoping to reap the other potential health benefits provided by cider vinegar, this is one juicy and refreshing way to go about it!
As usual however, such a specialty product also comes with a specialty price tag. This one happens to be the highest of all the products featured in our review, working out to $0.25 per ounce. Also, the alternative sweeteners do impart a bit of an off taste here and despite their moniker, these “refreshers” are most definitely not as refreshing as a glass of pure juice. You won’t be looking to drink glass after glass of this stuff!
Pros:
- A juice from the most trusted apple cider vinegar brand.
- 2 TB apple cider vinegar per bottle.
- Sharp vinegar flavor is mellowed by fresh apple juice and cinnamon.
- Low in sugar.
- Low in calories.
- USDA organic and non-GMO.
Cons:
- The most expensive apple juice variety we tested.
- Alternative sweeteners can add a funny taste.
- Not refreshing enough to drink a lot of.
Best Apple Juice FAQs
What Brand is 100% Apple Juice?
Many of the apple juice brands we sourced for this taste test and review are made from 100% apple juice! Among them: 365 Whole Foods Market, Capri Sun, Langers Apple Juice, Martinelli's Gold Medal, Mott's Apple Juice, North Coast Organics, Red Jacket Orchards, RW Knudsen Organics, and Trader Joe's Apple Juice.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all of the 100% juice brands out there. When shopping, just check the bottle to see for yourself! Most store bought juice brands splash their juice percentages right on the front label but if you don't see it, the information will be located above or next to the nutrition table as well.
Is Apple Juice Healthier Than Other Fruit Juices?
It would be unfair to claim that apple juice is across the board healthier than other juices like mango juice, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, or orange juice. It is simply healthy in different ways, as each of these juices are distinct from one another!
For example, where apple juice is naturally rich in potassium and iron, orange juice is famous for containing a ton of vitamin C, while the deep red coloring of cranberry juice points to its amazing polyphenol content.
What is a Healthy Apple Juice?
While most apple juices we tested are fairly natural and unadulterated, there are a few unhealthier options to look out for. If you’re looking for a healthy apple juice, try to stay away from products marketed as “apple drink” or “apple juice drink” as these tend to be blends that consist of less pure juice and instead may be full of added sugars.
Also, unfiltered and refrigerated apple juices may be healthier as they retain a greater proportion of the apple’s nutrients as compared to the filtered and heat treated juices.
Is Apple Juice Anti-Inflammatory?
Yes! Like many fresh fruits and vegetables and the products made from them, apple juice contains antioxidants which provide anti-inflammatory benefits throughout the body. Consuming antioxidant rich foods helps the body to neutralize free radicals, which in turn protects healthy cells and reduces inflammation.
What Else Can You Do With Apple Juice?
Not a fan of drinking apple juice straight up, or just looking for a change? Here are a few different takes of getting that goodness of apple juice into your system!
- Mix apple juice with sparkling water--either plain or a complementary flavor like cranberry--for an effervescent treat. You’ll feel like you’re drinking apple flavored soda, without all the added sugar of course!
- Mix your apple juice with coconut water for extra hydration and an electrolyte boost.
- Use apple juice as a base for your next smoothie or green juice! The super sweet flavor of apple is perfect for pairing with nutritious leafy greens like spinach or strongly flavored fruits like pineapple!
- Pour apple juice into an ice cube tray, freeze, then use them to chill your next glass of iced tea for a burst of sweet apple taste.
Ranking the Best Apple Juice Brands: The Bottom Line.
Whether you seek the most pure juice made from freshly pressed apples or you want something that is guaranteed to please the little ones in your life, there's a best apple juice out there with your name on it!
For the cream of the organic & minimally processed crop, reach for North Coast or Red Jacket Orchards apple juices. If you're looking for something more typical and traditional, pickup a cheaper apple juice brand like you'll find at Trader Joe's or kid-friendly juice boxes like those made by Honest Kids. And finally, Bragg's apple cinnamon-cider vinegar refreshers offer a unique ticket to wellness while RW Knudsen's apple-veggie juice blend brings the best of two worlds together.
You could always take charge and make your own apple juice in your own kitchen, too! All you need is a good quality juicer and of course, a bushel of amazing apples.
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