This Spicy Cranberry Spritzer is a delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. Here, the classic flavor combination of cranberry, orange, and cinnamon is complemented by the unexpected addition of cumin.
You can add a little vodka for an adults-only treat if you’d like, or skip it for a yummy mocktail everyone can enjoy. Cheers!
Spicy Cranberry Spritzer
Scroll down for a printable recipe card.
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus chill time
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 c. fresh or frozen cranberries
¼ c. honey
½ c. water
2 T whole cumin seeds
4 cinnamon sticks
3 c. unsweetened cranberry juice
2 medium organic oranges, each cut into 8 wedges
Optional: ½ c. vodka
3 c. sparkling water
Optional Garnish:
Additional cinnamon sticks
6 long rosemary sprigs, lower leaves removed, and threaded with fresh cranberries
Directions:
- Add cranberries, honey, water, cumin seeds, and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the honey is melted and the spices are intensely fragrant.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a large glass or other non-reactive bowl. Add cranberry juice, orange wedges, and vodka, if using. Refrigerate for several hours to overnight.
- Once thoroughly chilled, remove from refrigerator and firmly squeeze each orange wedge into the bowl to capture the juice before discarding. Strain mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
- To serve, fill serving glasses with ice and add enough of the seasoned cranberry juice mixture to fill each glass about 1/3 full. Top off each glass with sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and sweeten with additional honey, if desired. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and/or rosemary skewers and serve immediately.
Spicy Cranberry Spritzer
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp whole cumin seeds
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 medium oranges each cut into 8 wedges
- 3 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- Add cranberries, honey, water, cumin seeds, and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the honey is melted and the spices are intensely fragrant.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a large glass or other non-reactive bowl. Add cranberry juice, orange wedges, and vodka, if using. Refrigerate for several hours to overnight.
- Once thoroughly chilled, remove from refrigerator and firmly squeeze each orange wedge into the bowl to capture the juice before discarding. Strain mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
- To serve, fill serving glasses with ice and add enough of the seasoned cranberry juice mixture to fill each glass about 1/3 full.
- Top off each glass with sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and sweeten with additional honey, if desired.
- Garnish with cinnamon sticks and/or rosemary skewers and serve immediately.
Notes
Optional Garnish: Additional cinnamon sticks 6 long rosemary sprigs, lower leaves removed, and threaded with fresh cranberries
Nutrition
The nutrition information is calculated using a third party resource. The accuracy varies according to the brands you use, the portion sizes you serve, and so on. This information should only be used as a guide.
Leave a Reply