Ingredients:

• 3 oranges

• 2 grapefruits

• 1 lemon

• 2 apples (preferably a sweet variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp)

• Optional: A small piece of ginger for an extra kick

Equipment:

• Juicer or blender

• Fine mesh strainer (if using a blender)

• Clean, sterilized glass bottles

• Large pot for pasteurizing

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Fruits: Start by thoroughly washing the oranges, grapefruits, lemon, and apples. Peel the citrus fruits to remove the bitter white pith. For the apples, remove the core and cut them into quarters. If you’re adding ginger, peel and slice it thinly.

2. Juicing:

   • If using a juicer, process the oranges, grapefruits, lemon, apples, and ginger (if using) according to your machine’s instructions.

   • If using a blender, combine all prepared fruits (and ginger) in the blender and blend until smooth. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp, applying pressure to extract as much juice as possible.

3. Bottling: Pour the juice into your clean, sterilized glass bottles, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

4. Pasteurizing:

   • Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the bottles and place the filled bottles inside.

   • Heat the water until it reaches a gentle boil, then maintain this temperature for 20 minutes to pasteurize the juice.

   • Carefully remove the bottles from the pot and allow them to cool to room temperature.

5. Storing: Once cooled, store your bottles in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cellar. The juice will be safe to enjoy for up to a year.

Serving Suggestion:

Chill the juice before serving for a refreshing and invigorating drink. It’s perfect for starting your day or as a delightful afternoon pick-me-up. This Citrus and Apple Winter Wellness Juice not only offers a burst of vitamin C and other essential nutrients but also brings a touch of sunshine to your winter days.

Enjoy the process of making this wholesome juice, knowing that each sip contributes to your well-being during the colder months.