Drinking orange juice is a great way to beat the blazing heat. On extremely hot days, it can’t be helped if you’re craving something even more refreshing.
Sure, you can use ice cubes to cool your citrus beverage, but can you freeze orange juice itself? If you’re thirsty for a cooler upgrade, check out what I discovered!
Can You Freeze Orange Juice?
Orange juice can be frozen and will take two to twelve hours to completely solidify, depending on the volume and container used. Orange juice can be frozen using mason jars, plastic containers, ice cube trays, or directly in the carton. Additionally, freezing orange juice is one way to save the excess product and stash it for future use.
If you’re looking for ways to freeze orange juice, whether for a chillier beverage or for storage, then this is the right article for you!
Can You Freeze Orange Juice In Its Plastic Container?
Yes, you can freeze orange juice in its plastic container but it should be done with caution.
Orange juice, like any other liquid, expands as it reaches its frozen state. Moreover, orange juice containers are made for single-use and are not designed for freezing. When kept in the freezer they are prone to breaking and leakage.
To prevent this from happening, allocate some space and pour out half of the headroom before placing it in the fridge.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice In Ice Cube Trays?
Yes, freezing orange juice in ice cube trays is an easy way to get orange-flavored ice.
Since this method yields cube-shaped orange juice, you can use it in different manners such as flavoring other beverages.
Additionally, frozen orange juice cubes are also easy to make. You just need to pour the orange juice into the ice cube tray and pop it in the freezer for a few hours.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice In Freezer Bags?
Yes, you can freeze orange juice in freezer bags, especially the heavy-duty kind.
Zip-top bags are quite versatile and are used for freezing a variety of liquids and paste. Just pour your orange juice solution into a hole-free ziplock and pop it in the freezer for a few hours.
However, you should only fill the bag ⅔ of the way full to leave some space because orange juice expands when frozen.
Remove the extra air to prevent inconsistency before making sure it’s tightly zipped.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice in Mason Jars?
Mason jars may be one of the best options to freeze your orange juice as long as it’s of the freezer-safe variety.
These jars are wide-mouthed instead of having traditional round shoulders so using them is easy and eco-friendly, unlike other containers.
However, to prevent any accidents, leaving an inch of headspace at the minimum is the standard practice.
Can You Freeze Tropicana Orange Juice?
Tropicana or any store-bought orange juice can be frozen safely. This is a good way to preserve the juice and collect stock for future use.
It is a much better alternative to other orange juice varieties as store-bought orange juice can last a long time due to the presence of preservatives.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice In a Carton?
Yes, you can freeze orange juice directly in the carton without worrying about the mess.
Boxed orange juice will not blow up in the freezer so you won’t need to pour out an inch or two of headspace.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice in a Plastic Bottle?
Orange juice can be frozen using any container as long as it’s airtight and freezer-friendly. However, it is not advisable to freeze it using plastic bottles.
Plastic bottles are brittle and not designed to handle low temperatures. Since orange juice expands once frozen, there is a high possibility that the bottle will tear and explode.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice With Pulp?
It is best to freeze orange juice with little to no pulp to prevent flakiness and inconsistency.
Since orange juice, whether store-bought or homemade, contains sugar, it won’t freeze smoothly as water. The pulp can contribute to your orange juice not freezing completely.
Therefore it’s recommended that you strain the orange juice before putting it in an airtight, freezer-friendly container to ensure that there are no large chunks of pulp and other particles in the mixture.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice To Make Lollies?
Yes, you can definitely freeze orange juice to make lollies.
Popsicles made from orange juice are a healthy alternative to ice cream and you can make them in the comforts of your own home.
To do this, just pour your orange juice into the popsicle molds and wait for a few hours for a refreshing treat. Additionally, you can stir in vanilla and lemon juice for more flavor.
Can You Freeze Orange Juice For Smoothies?
Yes, you can freeze orange juice for smoothies.
With its tangy taste and long shelf life, orange juice is a popular choice for smoothies and other refreshing beverages.
At What Temperature Does Orange Juice Freeze?
Orange juice has a lower freezing point than water and solidifies at -10° Celsius or 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the orange juice used contains large chunks of pulp or has a huge volume, then it will take longer to freeze. If this is the case, you may want to consider lowering your freezer temperature.
How To Freeze Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice?
Freshly squeezed orange juice can be frozen by putting it in an airtight container like any other orange juice out there.
However, you should stash it away in the freezer right after squeezing to prevent loss of nutritional value.
How Long Does It Take To Freeze Orange Juice?
The amount of time it will take to freeze orange juice depends on the volume and container used.
If you use ice-cube trays, it should take about two to four hours. A plastic or glass bottle can take longer, between six to twelve hours.
How Long Is Frozen Orange Juice Good For?
Frozen pasteurized orange juice will have no problem lasting eight to twelve months. If kept at a constant 0°F, it will last forever.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Orange Juice?
There are three ways to thaw frozen orange juice. These are:
- Transfer the frozen orange juice to the refrigerator to defrost it. This process may last from two to eight hours depending on the volume of the liquid.
- Submerge the container in warm water.
- If you have frozen your orange juice using an ice molder, you can use it as it is.
The defrosted orange juice can turn pulpy, but you can easily strain it, give it a good shake to mix the pulp, or leave it be.
If you want to learn more about orange juice, you can see our related posts on what orange juice tastes like, why orange juice is so good, and how much orange juice is in one orange.
Conclusion
Orange juice is a versatile beverage that you can freeze in a variety of ways, whether in the carton or its designated plastic containers.
Additionally, you can store orange juice in freezer bags, mason jars, and ice cube trays and pop it in the freezer for a few hours to solidify.