Hot Mulled Cranberry Punch
Hot Mulled Cranberry Punch
Cozy cranberry-and-cider punch simmered with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and honey. Perfect for holiday gatherings—kid-friendly and stovetop or slow cooker ready.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice (100% juice)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 Tbsp honey (or to taste)
Garnish: extra orange slices, fresh cranberries, or star anise.
Directions
- In a medium pot, combine cranberry juice, apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and honey.
- Bring just to a simmer, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes to infuse.
- Ladle into mugs and serve warm. Remove whole spices before storing.
Slow cooker: Combine everything and heat on LOW for 2–3 hours; switch to WARM for serving.
Make It Your Own
- Less sweet: Start with 1 Tbsp honey and add more after simmering.
- Spicier: Add 1 star anise or a thin slice of fresh ginger.
- Cran-apple sparkle: Add a splash of sparkling water in the mug just before serving (not for kids under 1 if using honey).
Storage
- Keeps refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat gently—do not boil.
- Strain out whole spices before storing to prevent bitterness.
Serving Info
| Yield | ~6 cups (serves 6–8) |
| Active Time | 5 minutes |
| Simmer Time | 15 minutes |
| Category | Drinks · Warm Punch |