Cranberry Hot Tea Blend (Printable Version)

A vibrant blend of cranberries, citrus, and warming spices to enjoy on cold days or festive occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit & Juice

01 - 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
02 - 4 cups water
03 - 1 medium orange, sliced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

→ Sweetener

05 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or honey/maple syrup to taste)

→ Spices

06 - 2 cinnamon sticks
07 - 4 whole cloves
08 - 2 star anise (optional)

→ Tea

09 - 2 black tea bags (or herbal/green tea if preferred)

# How to Make It:

01 - Place cranberries, water, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise into a medium saucepan.
02 - Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until cranberries burst and liquid turns deep red.
03 - Stir in sugar and lemon juice, then simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 3 to 5 minutes to preferred strength.
05 - Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with extra orange slices or a cinnamon stick if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes just 20 minutes from start to sip, making it perfect for those moments when you need comfort without fuss
  • The gorgeous deep crimson color is almost as warming as the temperature itself, filling your kitchen with visual joy
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you can share it with anyone without worrying about dietary restrictions
  • The spice blend feels fancy and intentional, but the ingredient list is refreshingly simple and forgiving
02 -
  • The difference between simmering and boiling is crucial here. A rolling boil will make your tea bitter and muddy the bright flavors you've worked to build. A gentle simmer is where the magic happens.
  • Don't let the tea bags steep longer than 5 minutes, or your beautiful creation will taste oversteeped and astringent. Set a quiet timer if you tend to get distracted like I do.
  • Fresh lemon juice makes an enormous difference compared to bottled. It's the element that makes people pause mid-sip and ask what's in this.
03 -
  • Keep your cinnamon sticks and whole cloves in an airtight container. They lose their potency quickly, so freshness matters more than you'd think
  • If you're making this for a crowd, you can prepare everything up to the tea bag step ahead of time, then add the tea bags and finish just before serving—it saves you from juggling multiple batches

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