Description
Spiced Cranberry Juice is a cozy and flavorful drink that blends the tartness of fresh cranberries with warming spices, bright citrus notes, and a hint of natural sweetness. Perfect for enjoying warm on cold days or chilled as a refreshing beverage, this versatile drink offers vibrant flavors, health benefits, and cozy comfort in every glass.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup (natural)
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Cranberries and Citrus: Rinse fresh cranberries under cold water to clean them. In a medium pot, combine the cranberries with fresh orange juice and orange zest to start building the base flavor.
- Add Spices and Sweetener: Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, maple syrup (natural), and apple cider vinegar to the pot, layering in the warming spices and nuanced tang.
- Simmer to Develop Flavors: Pour in water to cover all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. This allows the cranberries to burst and the spices to meld beautifully.
- Optional Texture Enhancement: If you prefer a thicker texture, sprinkle the natural gelling agent into the simmering mixture during the last few minutes and stir well to incorporate.
- Strain and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Serve the spiced cranberry juice warm or let it cool and serve chilled, depending on your preference.
Notes
- Use fresh whole spices for the best aroma and flavor.
- Adjust sweetness gradually by tasting and adding more maple syrup (natural) or agave syrup (natural) if desired.
- Simmer gently on low heat to avoid burning and preserve delicate aromas.
- Opt for freshly squeezed orange juice for a natural and bright flavor.
- Try the juice hot for cozy warmth or chilled over ice with a splash of sparkling water for refreshment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Spiced Cranberry Juice, cranberry drink, warm cranberry juice, spiced beverage, holiday drink, cozy drink, natural sweetener, antioxidant drink
