Cranberries are a staple of the holiday season, and for good reason. These little red berries pack a punch of tartness and are full of health benefits. But why settle for store-bought cranberry juice when you can make a delicious and nutritious homemade cranberry juice cocktail? This homemade cranberry juice cocktail that not only includes the tartness of cranberries but also the warming flavors of fresh ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon, as well as the sweetness of oranges and honey.
The star of this homemade cranberry juice cocktail is, of course, the cranberries. These bright red berries are a great source of antioxidants, which help fight against free radicals and keep our cells healthy. They are also high in vitamin C, which helps boost our immune system during the cold winter months. Plus Blood Sugar Control: The polyphenols and other compounds in cranberries may also help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a potentially beneficial food for people with diabetes.
make sure you get the most out of your cranberries, be sure to use fresh ones, not the canned or dried versions.
Next, we have fresh ginger and turmeric. These two spices not only add a warm and spicy flavor to the cocktail but are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger has been used for centuries to ease digestive discomfort and nausea, while turmeric has gained popularity for its potent anti-inflammatory compound, curcumin.
Ceylon cinnamon is the third spice in this cocktail, and it adds a subtle sweetness and warmth. Cinnamon is also known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a perfect addition to this already beneficial cocktail.
To give this drink a hint of citrus, we use fresh oranges instead of the traditional orange juice. Oranges are high in vitamin C and other nutrients, and their tangy taste complements the tartness of the cranberries perfectly.
To bring it all together, we use honey as a natural sweetener. Honey not only adds a touch of sweetness to the cocktail but also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains antioxidants and may help soothe a sore throat.
Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Inch Fresh Ginger
- 1 inch Fresh Turmeric
- 2 tsp Ceylon Cinnamon
- A few grinds of fresh black pepper
- 2 Oranges, both zest and juice
Choose a sweetener, pick your favorite
- 1/2 cup Pure cane sugar
- 1/2 cup Pure, unfiltered honey
- 1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup Coconut sugar
Instructions
- You need a 1 to 1 ratio of cranberries to water, so wash and measure your cranberries and add them to a pot. Add the water and start to bring to a boil.
- While waiting for them to come to a boil, grate the ginger and turmeric and add to the pot.
- Add the rest of the ingredients minus the sweetener.
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer, mashing with a potato masher for 20 minutes.
- If you are using cane sugar, it is o.k. to add during the summer, but wait and add the honey or maple syrup until after it is strained.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer, and add your sweetener. Stir and taste to see if it is sweet enough for you.
- Let it come to room temperature before storing it in the fridge.
- I like to serve over ice with 1/3rd cocktail to 2/3rds club soda
- It is also great added to champagne
- Or as a cocktail with vodka and club soda.