Orange Cranberry Spiced Tea (Print View)

A fragrant blend of sweet orange and tart cranberries simmered with warming spices for a cozy beverage.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruits & Juices

01 - 1 large orange, sliced
02 - 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
03 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

→ Tea & Sweeteners

04 - 4 cups water
05 - 2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea in an infuser)
06 - 2-3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup to taste

→ Spices

07 - 2 cinnamon sticks
08 - 4 whole cloves
09 - 1 star anise (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Combine water, cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
02 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until cranberries soften and release their color.
03 - Add black tea bags and steep for 3-5 minutes depending on desired strength.
04 - Remove tea bags, then stir in orange juice and honey or maple syrup. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
05 - Strain tea into a teapot or heatproof pitcher, discarding solids. Serve hot garnished with extra orange slices or cranberries if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It transforms basic tea into something that feels like a special occasion without any fancy equipment
  • The whole house smells amazing while it simmers, which is half the joy of making it
  • You can adjust everything to your taste, making it sweeter or spicier depending on your mood
02 -
  • Don't boil the tea bags directly or the tea will turn bitter
  • The cranberries will keep releasing color as they sit, so it gets prettier over time
  • This reheats beautifully, so don't hesitate to double the batch
03 -
  • Use a mesh strainer to catch all the tiny clove pieces
  • Warm your mugs with hot water before pouring in the tea
  • The star anise can be reused for a second, lighter batch

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