Welcome to The Storied Recipe Podcast, a podcast about food, culture, and love.
This recipe for Fresh Spiced Cranberry Tea came from my podcast guest, Laura Clark - specifically, from her grandmother. Take a listen to her episode, Thanksgiving in Italy, while you make her beautiful hot Spiced Cranberry Orange Tea!
Cranberry tea is easy, festive (hence the names Thanksgiving Tea or Christmas Tea), absolutely gorgeous for any holiday gathering, full of antioxidants, delicious, and above all (as if all of that isn't enough) GORGEOUS!!!!
The elegant ruby red color of Laura's hot rosy spiced drink gives a cozy special feeling, even before the first sip!
One important note to share right up front: Although this Cranberry Tea punch recipe is lovingly referred to as “Thanksgiving Tea” by Laura's family, there is no actual tea in the recipe. Not unlike an herbal tea, this tea is just cranberries, warming spices, and citrus juices.
P.S. Love fresh cranberry recipes? Try these Frozen Cranberry Bites, an elegant dessert alternative to cranberry sauce.
Top Tip
Once you make the tea, you'll be left with some sad, drained, pulpy cranberries. My son used ours to make Cranberry Scones using the world's easiest scone recipe from my podcast guest, Dee Frances. They were delicious and we felt great about not wasting anything!
Laura's Memories of Hot Cranberry Orange Tea
My grandmother lived in a cabin in the country. We went there every year for Thanksgiving and drank this Thanksgiving Tea.
My grandmother had a lot of nice Kentucky antiques of good quality. When I think of this tea, I remember the warm brown color of her dining room table with a shiny patina from years of use. She had an antique lamp with cranberry-colored glass that would make the whole room cranberry colored and a chair covered with a cream fabric embroidered with cranberry-colored thread.
Laura Clark
Listen to Laura Now
Hot Drink or Cold Drink?
Both!
- Laura and her family drank cranberry tea as both a hot and cold drink.
- I like to drink it hot first thing in the morning or after a light meal.
- At Thanksgiving dinner, this "Thanksgiving Tea" can be a refreshing cold complement to a hearty meal.
- This cranberry tea recipe gets sweeter as it approaches room temperature, so if you'll be drinking it cold, consider cutting down on the sugar.
Natural Cranberry Tea Benefits
While there's no denying this is a very sweet tea (which, of course, you can adjust), there are actually many health benefits in this fruit tea! Made from fresh cranberries and "spiked" with citrus juices, this tea is full of antioxidants and vitamins.
(P.S. If you really are drinking this elixir to drive away colds and other bugs, it would be a good idea to cut down on the sugar.)
- Cranberries:
- Rich in antioxidants that can help protect against chronic diseases.
- May support urinary tract health and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
- Contains vitamins C and E, which boost the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cinnamon:
- Has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- May help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Contains antioxidants that contribute to overall health.
- Cloves:
- A good source of antioxidants that protect cells from damage and inflammation.
- May have antimicrobial properties and support oral health.
- Could potentially improve digestion and reduce stomach discomfort.
- Orange Juice:
- High in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and supports skin health.
- Provides essential nutrients like folate and potassium.
- Contains antioxidants that may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Lemon Juice:
- Rich in vitamin C, which aids in collagen production and skin health.
- May support digestion and help with weight management.
- Contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Cold water
- White sugar
- Orange juice
- Lemon juice
- Garnish with orange slices, orange zest curls, or orange peel
(See exact quantities in the recipe at the end of this post)
How to Make Hot Cranberry Tea
This easy recipe couldn't be more straightforward with simple ingredients and directions. Follow these three steps and your taste buds will thank you.
Stove Top:
- Boil cranberries and spices for at least half an hour
- Drain cranberries in a mesh strainer (Use the soft, split cranberries to Dee's delicious 5 minute scones)
- Stir in sugar and citrus juices
Slow Cooker:
To make in a crock pot, simply follow the directions above, but rather than boiling on the stove, leave the cranberries and spices in a slow cooker for 2 hours on high.
Variations & Substitutions
- Replacements for Orange Juice & Lemon Juice combination
- Lime juice
- Apple juice (If you add this, cut the sugar to 1/2 cup or less)
- Ginger ale (If you add this, cut the sugar to 1/2 cup or less)
- Less of a sweet tooth
- If you love a cup of tea – you’re more than welcome to add bags of white tea, green tea, or a full-bodied black tea bags to the recipe. You’ll still enjoy the tartness of the cranberries, the sweetness of the orange juice, and the warmth of the spices along with your favorite variety of tea.
- Cool and pour into an ice cube tray for refreshing & festive ice for holiday parties
When to Enjoy Spiced Cranberry Tea
Thanksgiving Day:
Tired of cranberry sauce? For a new holiday tradition, try this hot cranberry tea recipe along with your pecan pie this year!
Tart and sweet, this fresh cranberry tea is the perfect accompaniment to a rich Thanksgiving feast. The acidity in the cranberries cuts through the rich flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. With each sip, the natural, bright tartness of the cranberries cleanses the palate for the next bite of food.
This recipe makes a huge amount – enough to treat a full house and have plenty to go around after a long day of feasting and festivities!
The Winter Holiday Season:
December is the time of year for a cozy, steaming mug of spiced cranberry tea. As a bonus, the warm, festive smells of cinnamon, anise, and orange peels are a great way to spread Christmas cheer for those who only smell this bright, beautiful tea on those chilly days.
Summer:
When cold, this iced cranberry tea recipe also works as a sweet and tart refreshment on a hot summer day.
In short: Cranberry Orange Tea can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
Equipment
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Christmas Desserts Around the World
Holiday Episodes of The Storied Recipe
Listen to Laura's Episode: Thanksgiving in Italy
Episode 007: Thanksgiving in Italy
Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player
Recipe
Fresh Spiced Cranberry Tea (for Thanksgiving)
Ingredients
- 1 package Fresh Cranberries
- 4 sticks of Cinnamon
- 12 Whole Cloves
- 4 1/2 -5 Quarts of Water
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 cup Lemon Juice
Instructions
Cue Up The Episode!
- Make sure to listen to Laura on The Storied Recipe Podcast, Thanksgiving In Italy while you make her Fresh Spiced Cranberry Tea!
Make The Recipe
- Boil cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, and water together for 30 minutes.
- Strain the cranberries. (I like to use the pulp to make Dee's 5-minute scones.)
- Stir sugar, orange, and lemon juices into the hot tea.
Notes
- Make sure to listen to Laura on The Storied Recipe Podcast, Thanksgiving In Italy while you make her Thanksgiving Tea recipe!
- I do find the tea to be a little sweet when cold. If you won't be drinking it hot, consider cutting back on the sugar.
- If you'd like, add tea bags after straining the cranberries. Let steep for 4-5 minutes and remove.
- Feel free to replace the citrus juices with ginger ale. If you do this, cut sugar to at most 1/2 cup.
- If you'd prefer to do the first step in a slow cooker, add the cranberries, water, spices, and cook for 2 hours on high. Follow the rest of the instructions.
- Garnish with orange peel, orange slices, and/or sugared cranberries.
Hannah Neeper says
I love how festive this "tea" is and since fall is right around the corner I know this will be my go-to drink for the cooler months!