Cranberry Orange Spice Infusion

A warm, spiced drink with cranberry tang, bright citrus, and cozy winter spices — like mulled wine’s responsible younger sister. 🍊

🕒 Total Time:

Prep: 5 minutes
Simmer: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

🛒 Grocery List:

• 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)

• Fresh orange

• Cinnamon sticks

• Whole cloves

• Star anise (optional but adds beautiful aroma)

• Honey or maple syrup (to taste)

• Water

✨ Ingredients (Serves 2–3):

• 1 ½ cups cranberry juice

• 1 cup water

• 1 orange, sliced into rounds

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4–5 whole cloves

• 1 star anise pod (optional)

• 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, to taste

🥄 Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry juice, water, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.

2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce to low and let it infuse for 15 minutes. Your kitchen will smell like a spa with a holiday calendar.

3. Strain out the spices and orange slices.

4. Taste and stir in honey or maple syrup as needed.

5. Serve hot in mugs, optionally garnished with a fresh orange slice or cinnamon stick.

💡 Tip:

This drink keeps beautifully in the fridge and can be gently reheated when needed. You can also double or triple the batch and keep it warm in a slow cooker during gatherings — bonus: it makes the whole room smell incredible.

Lilly-