Well, her idea might have been silly, but your idealization of cranberry
juice might be just as silly. Here's the recipe for the stuff:

Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Ingredients:

3.7 % Ocean SprayŽ Cranberry Concentrate
16.69 % High fructose corn syrup, 42% fructose, 71 Brix*
79.57 % Water
0.04 % Ascorbic Acid

* Staley Isosweet 100

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients.

Source: Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group

Anyhow, I can't recall regular cranberry juice cocktail being served
on UA for the longest time.