Artificial Food Coloring Free Hot Spiced Cranberry Drink
Warm, deeply spiced, and vibrantly ruby-red without a drop of artificial dye, this cozy drink gets every bit of its gorgeous color from real cranberry juice. So many store-bought spiced ciders and holiday punches sneak in synthetic colorants to punch up their appearance — this one earns its jewel-toned hue the honest way. Whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, and a strip of fresh orange peel simmer low and slow to build a layered, aromatic depth that no flavor packet can replicate. Maple syrup steps in as the sweetener, letting you dial the sweetness up or down one teaspoon at a time until it's exactly right for your crowd. The gentle heat method — steaming rather than boiling — keeps the flavors bright and balanced rather than sharp or bitter. Strain it into a pitcher, drop in a cinnamon stick for garnish, and it looks like something you'd pay twelve dollars for at a holiday market. It's the kind of drink that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible and has everyone asking for a second mug.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 4 cups cranberry juice (100% juice, no added sweeteners)
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp maple syrup, plus more to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole allspice berries
- 3 strips orange peel (about 3 inches each, pith removed)
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For serving
- orange slices, for serving (optional)
- cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cranberry juice, water, maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel strips, and ground ginger in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- 2
Heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture just begins to steam and small bubbles form around the edges, about 8–10 minutes. Do not bring to a full boil.
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