Sesame Free Hot Spiced Cranberry Drink
Warm, tart cranberry juice simmered low and slow with whole spices and a ribbon of orange peel — this is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel genuinely festive. The kitchen smells incredible while it cooks, thanks to cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and a touch of ground ginger all working together in the pot. Maple syrup adds a gentle, natural sweetness that you can dial up or down to your own taste, which makes it easy to please a whole table of people with different preferences. For anyone navigating sesame-free living, this recipe is a natural fit — every ingredient here is a whole food or pantry staple with no hidden sauces, blends, or processed additives to second-guess. The technique is simple: heat gently, simmer until deeply fragrant, then strain everything clean before serving. A garnish of fresh orange slices and an extra cinnamon stick makes it look like something from a cozy café, with almost no extra effort. It works beautifully as a holiday drink, a weekend treat, or just a warming mug on a weeknight when you want something a little more special than tea.
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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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