Pork Free Hot Spiced Cranberry Drink
Tart cranberry juice meets warming whole spices in this deeply fragrant hot drink that feels like the coziest version of the holiday season in a mug. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, and strips of fresh orange peel simmer low and slow to coax out every bit of their flavor, while maple syrup lets you dial in the sweetness exactly where you want it. The key is keeping the heat gentle — steaming rather than boiling — so the spices bloom without turning bitter, and the result is a beautifully rich, ruby-red drink that smells incredible from the moment it hits the pan. It's naturally free of anything to worry about, built entirely from fruit juice, pantry spices, and a touch of natural sweetener. Serve it straight from the strainer into mugs with an orange slice and a fresh cinnamon stick for a presentation that looks far more effortful than it actually is. This is the kind of drink that makes people ask for the recipe the second they wrap their hands around the 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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