Capsaicin Free Spiced Mulled Cherries
Warm, jewel-toned, and deeply aromatic, these mulled cherries are the kind of thing that makes your whole kitchen smell like a holiday market. Sweet cherries simmer low and slow in pomegranate juice with honey, Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, turmeric, and a bright strip of orange zest until the liquid reduces into a glossy, spoonable compote. The apple cider vinegar adds just enough brightness to keep everything balanced and prevent the sweetness from going over the top. For anyone avoiding capsaicin, this recipe is a genuine win — all the warming, complex spice notes you crave without a single chile, pepper, or heat-forward ingredient in sight. Ceylon cinnamon in particular brings a delicate, almost floral warmth that feels indulgent without any burn. Serve it warm over vanilla ice cream, swirl it into yogurt, or spoon it alongside roasted pork — it's versatile enough to earn a permanent spot in your rotation. It also thickens beautifully as it cools, so leftovers stored in a jar are just as good the next day.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb frozen or fresh sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 ceylon cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 strip orange zest (about 3 inches), pith removed
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the pomegranate juice, honey, Ceylon cinnamon stick, grated ginger, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, orange zest strip, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey dissolves, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the cherries and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cherries are tender and the liquid has reduced by about half and coats the back of a spoon, 15 to 18 minutes.
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