A cup of hot cranberry tea is just what you need to get cozy when it’s cold out! Learn how to easily make this spicy tart infusion with spices and citrus for a fall/holiday beverage.
You know the holidays are right around the corner when fresh cranberries start appearing. The bright red orbs signal the coming festivities and their 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 tea you’ll want to sip on throughout the season and beyond.
Chilly days warrant some extra warmth and this spicy tart infusion is a cup of coziness. If your slow cooker has 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.
What is Cranberry Tea?
Cranberry tea is simply cranberries simmered in water until the cranberries pop and their juices infuse the water with their flavor and color. It’s often made with spices like cinnamon or cloves and citrus like lemon or orange to give the tea a holiday inspired flavor.
You can make cranberry tea with or without actual tea leaves or use a caffeine-free tea like rooibos or rosehips. It’s sweet, tart, easy to make and tastes much better than store bought cranberry teas that often contain artificial flavors to enhance their taste. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Cranberries – Fresh cranberries are best but you can also use frozen cranberries.
- Spices – I like the combination of cinnamon and ginger, but you could also use cinnamon, cloves and star anise for a holiday-inspired cranberry tea.
- Citrus –A bit of fresh lemon juice and zest compliments the berries and gives the tea a light, bright flavor but you can also use orange.
- Tea – I like rooibos or rose hips for a caffeine-free cranberry tea but feel free to use black tea instead if you’d prefer or to leave it out entirely.
- Sweetener – Use whatever sweetener you prefer here.
How to Make Cranberry Tea:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
There are two ways to make cranberry tea: (1) on the stovetop or (2) in the slow cooker and both are equally easy.
- Stove Top - To make the tea on the stovetop you simply combine the cranberries with the water, spices and lemon juice in a saucepan, bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and keep the tea at a gentle simmer until the berries have popped and the tea is red and fragrant. At this point you can add your tea of choice and brew for a few minutes before straining and sweetening your tea to taste.
- Slow Cooker - To make cranberry tea in the slow cooker, you’ll double all the ingredients and combine them in the slow cooker instead. Set it to warm once it’s brewed to keep it ready to serve.
Perfect for serving at a holiday party or just sipping on a chilly day, this hot cranberry tea might become your new favorite tea this holiday season and beyond!
Variations:
There are lots of different ways to make cranberry tea; here are two variations to try:
- Spiced Cranberry Tea – Use a combination of cinnamon and cloves along with orange zest and black tea. Omit the ginger and lemon juice.
- Cranberry Orange Tea – Use a combination of cinnamon, orange zest and orange juice instead of lemon juice.
More Teas:
Cranberry Tea
A cup of hot cranberry tea is just what you need to get cozy when it’s
cold out!
Ingredients
- 4 cups/ 1 quart/ 950ml filtered water
- 4 ounces/113g fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 teaspoons/10ml fresh lemon juice
- One small strip lemon zest
- 1 cinnamon stick
- One 2 inch piece of ginger peeled and grated
- 2 rooibos, rose hip or black tea bags (optional)
- Sweetener of choice to taste
- Fresh lemon and cinnamon sticks to garnish (optional)
Instructions
To Make on the Stovetop:
Combine water, cranberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, grated ginger in a large saucepan or pot.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and keep at a bare simmer for 20 minutes.
Add tea bags if using and steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
Strain and serve with sweetener to taste. Garnish with extra lemon slices or cinnamon sticks.
To Make in the Slow Cooker: (Double Ingredients)
Combine water, cranberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon stick and ginger in the slow cooker.
Set to high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 and then keep warm.
Add tea bags if using and steep for 3 to 5 minutes just before serving.
Serve with sweetener of choice to taste. Garnish with extra lemon slices or cinnamon sticks.
Notes
Variations:
- Spiced Cranberry Tea – Use a combination of cinnamon and cloves along with orange zest and black tea. Omit the ginger and lemon juice
- Cranberry Orange Tea – Use a combination of cinnamon, orange zest and orange juice instead of lemon juice.
Storage:
If you prefer you can also serve this tea chilled, it's great on ice. After you prepare the tea allow it to come to room temperature and then transfer the tea to pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Refined Sugar-Free
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 59Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 20mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 1g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
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.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I literally just sneezed right as I was clicking the continue reading button! Eeek. I need some of this STAT! Love this idea and your beautiful blog. So glad to meet you.
Monet says
What a wonderful tea to keep our spirits high and our bodies strong. Will be making this soon.
ashley - baker by nature says
This tea is SO gorgeous! And so are - as always - you photos. So dreamy 🙂
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
Great idea on making it in the slow cooker - the smell alone would be worth it!
ela@GrayApron says
A delight to all senses!
Jeanne @ Cooksister says
I love all the flavours in this - and oh that COLOUR! Too beautiful, and such a clever idea.
TidyMom says
looks beautiful and sounds delicious Sylvie!
Maria | Pink Patisserie says
Such a lovely color and fantastic use of cranberries! This is comfort in a cup!!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
So gorgeous, wish I had a mug now!
angela@spinachtiger says
What a perfect idea for Thanksgiving week. And so pretty.