Coconut Free Hot Spiced Cranberry Drink
Warm, deeply fragrant, and just tart enough to keep things interesting, this spiced cranberry drink is the kind of thing you want simmering on the stove when the weather turns cold. Pure cranberry juice forms the base, sweetened with maple syrup and layered with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and a hint of orange peel — no artificial flavors, no mystery additives. Many store-bought spiced ciders and holiday drinks sneak in coconut-derived ingredients or sweeteners, so making your own from scratch is genuinely the safest and most satisfying route. The technique here is gentle — you're coaxing the spices into the liquid over low heat rather than boiling, which keeps the flavor bright and balanced rather than bitter. A quick strain at the end means every mug comes out silky smooth and beautifully ruby-red. It's endlessly adjustable too, since you can dial the sweetness up or down with extra maple syrup to suit your taste. Whether you're serving it at a holiday gathering or just curling up on the couch, this one delivers serious cozy-drink energy with minimal effort.
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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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