Cranberry Spice Tea

This lightly spiced cranberry tea filled with the power of anti-oxidants and vitamin C is a comforting and soothing way to warm up, fight colds and detoxify.

You know the holidays are right around the corner when fresh cranberries start appearing.  The bright red orbs signal the coming winter and their festive ruby red color is just fitting for the season.

But cranberries aren’t just for sauces and holiday baking; the small berries make a supremely soothing and fortifying tea when paired with lemon, goji berries and a hint of spice.  I make sure to stash a few extra bags in my freezer during the season so I can have cranberries on hand all year-round.

Chilly days warrant some winter warmth and this spicy tart infusion is a cup of coziness.  Cranberries and lemons are set to simmer with cinnamon sticks, slices of fresh ginger and a sprinkling of goji berries.  A gentle simmer does all the work and in no time the soothing brew is ready to be sipped.

This is the tea I turn to when I feel that tickle in the back of my throat or fogginess enveloping my head.  It’s the one I sip when one too many days of holiday feasting has me feeling sluggish and weighed down.

If your slow cooker sat stowed away in the cupboards all summer this would be a good time to dust it off.  Although this infusion is easily and quickly made on the stove top, making a batch in the slow cooker ensures that you always have a warm cup close at hand throughout the day.

With a vivid rosy hue, this tea is fortifying and soothing all at once.  Brightly colored cranberries and goji berries bring a slight tartness to the brew and offer a host of anti-oxidants, vitamin C and immune boosting properties.  Cranberries act as a mild diuretic helping to flush excess bloat while hot water and lemon juice has long been touted as an excellent morning tonic.

Add in the anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties of ginger along with the blood sugar stabilizing effects of cinnamon and you have yourself one powerful cup that will put a little pep back in your step.

Serves makes 2 to 4

Cranberry Spice Tea

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This spicy tart infusion is a cup of coziness that offers the fortifying and detoxifying properties of cranberries, lemon, ginger and goji berries. Add raw honey to sweeten for extra sore throat and cough soothing.

5 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

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Ingredients

• 4 cups/ 1 quart/ 950ml filtered water
• 3 ounces/85g fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 large or two small lemons juiced and zested
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• One 1 inch piece of ginger peeled and grated
• 2 Tablespoons dried goji berries (optional but offers some extra anti-oxidants and immune boosting properties)
• 2 Rooibos or black tea bags (optional, use rooibos for a caffeine free tea or leave out completely)
• Raw honey to taste (use stevia or maple syrup for a vegan version but raw honey offers extra throat soothing properties and helps control cough)
• Fresh lemon and cinnamon sticks to garnish (optional)

Instructions

To Make on the Stovetop:
1. Combine water, cranberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, grated ginger and goji berries in a medium to large pot or saucepan .
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add rooibos or black tea bags if using and steep covered for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Strain and serve with honey or a few drops of stevia to taste. Garnish with extra lemon slices or cinnamon sticks.
To Make in the Slow Cooker:
5. Combine water, cranberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, grated ginger and goji berries in the slow cooker .
6. Set to high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 and then keep warm.
7. Add rooibos or black tea bags if using and steep for 3 to 5 minutes just before serving.
8. Serve with honey or a few drops of stevia to taste. Garnish with extra lemon slices or cinnamon sticks.

Notes

If you prefer you can also serve this tea chilled, it's great on ice topped with sparkling water. After you prepare the tea allow it to come to room temperature and then transfer the tea to pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

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Sylvie

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she’s been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.