Rooibos Cranberry Punch
This spectacular punch, leveraging our Rooibos Cinnamon loose-leaf tea, offers a caffeine-free taste seasonal taste sensation across the season—including on Thanksgiving Day. The standard version remains nonalcoholic, but for serving people will have options to spike their mugs with sparkling wine, vodka or gin. In addition, the cinnamon and rooibos in the blend foster healthy digestion—perfect for the season’s parade of parties. Happy autumn!
Makes about 1 gallon, roughly 16 servings
Ingredients
8 cups water
⅓ cup Rooibos Cinnamon loose-leaf tea
⅓ cup pure maple syrup, plus more to taste
2 oranges
1 tablespoon whole cloves
4 cups unsweetened 100% cranberry juice
½ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
4 cups dry nonalcoholic ginger beer or sparkling water, chilled
1 cup fresh cranberries, for garnish
For a boozy version (optional)
Brut sparkling wine, such as cava, crémant or prosecco
Or vodka or gin
Directions
Brew the tea. Bring the water to a boil, pour it over the Rooibos Cinnamon and steep for 10 minutes for a strong, double-strength brew. Strain, stir in the maple syrup while the tea is still warm, then cool and refrigerate until cold. You can brew the tea a day ahead.
Roast the oranges. Heat the oven to 375°F. Press the cloves into the peel of the oranges, in rows or spirals. Roast on a baking sheet until the peel is browned in spots and fragrant, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool, then cut in half.
Build the punch. In a punch bowl, combine the chilled tea, cranberry juice, orange juice and lemon juice. Taste, and add more maple syrup if you like. Unsweetened cranberry juice is quite tart, so you may want up to ½ cup total.
Finish and serve. Just before serving, add ice or an ice ring, top with the ginger beer or sparkling water, float the roasted orange halves cut side down and scatter the fresh cranberries over the top.
Make it boozy. Keep the bowl alcohol-free so everyone can enjoy it, and spike by the glass. For a festive version, fill a glass about two-thirds with punch and top with sparkling wine. For something stronger, add 1½ ounces of vodka per glass. Gin lovers, this one’s for you, too: juniper and cranberry are old friends.
Tip: For an ice ring, freeze fresh cranberries and orange slices in water in a Bundt pan the day before. Because Rooibos Cinnamon is caffeine-free, the punch suits kids and late-evening sipping alike.
