My mom likes to throw these big, informal, everyone-come-on-over get-togethers, especially around Christmas. She’ll set out a bunch of food, while Dad gets the firepit going.
One perennial favorite of her holiday buffets is a delicious hot punch with spiced cranberry and citrus flavors. It tastes like the holidays and makes the house smell amazing. It’s particularly excellent for sipping around the fire on a chilly night.
The recipe makes enough for a crowd without requiring a lot of fuss, so you can focus on decking the halls and whatever else you need to do.
Mom makes it (by the gallon) and serves it in her crockpot to keep it hot all evening. She’ll put a ladle and a stack of festive mugs next to it, so guests can help themselves.
Although the title on her recipe card says “cranberry tea,” the tea part is actually optional. Most of the time, she leaves it out. Then you have an equally delicious hot cranberry punch.
Hot Cranberry Tea (or Punch) Recipe
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup loose black tea (omit for punch)
3 cups sugar
2 cups orange juice
1/2 gallon cranberry juice
1 cup lemon juice (or substitute a 12-ounce can of frozen lemonade and reduce sugar to 2 cups)
10 cups + 6 cups of hot water
Optional: orange and/or lemon slices and cinnamon sticks (for garnish).
- Wrap the spices and tea in a piece of cheesecloth or place into a tea infuser.
- Steep in 10 cups of hot water for 20 minutes.
- Add sugar, juices, and 6 more cups of hot water.
- If desired, garnish with orange or lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.
- Serve hot.
Makes about 7 quarts of punch. (Invite a lot of people over.)
Cheers!
