Mulled Cranberry & Apple Spritzer

Cozy and bright, this Mulled Cranberry & Apple Spritzer blends tart cranberries with warm, aromatic spices and crisp apple cider for the perfect blend of refreshing and festive - all in one drink! Cranberries provide polyphenols that help combat oxidative stress, while apple softens the zing of the cranberry, inviting a warm and familiar flavor profile. Lightly sweetened and sparkling with the addition of seltzer water, this spritzer is endlessly versatile - enjoy it as a holiday mocktail, a refreshing brunch beverage, or a sparkling alternative to soda any time you want a festive, guilt-free drink.

Mulled Cranberry & Apple Spritzer

Recipe By: Melanya Kushla, MS, RD, CHES at Taste & Thrive
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: ~12oz glass

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole fresh cranberries

• 3 cups 100% apple juice or fresh pressed apple cider

• 1 cinnamon stick, or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 4 whole cloves, or 1 pinch of ground cloves

• 10 allspice berries, or ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice

• 2 Tablespoons honey*

• 2 cups seltzer water, chilled

• Optional garnish: whole cranberries, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, orange slices

Utensils

• Measuring cups & spoons

• Medium pot

• Slotted spoon

• Fine mesh strainer

• Pitcher or medium bowl

• 4 serving classes

Directions

1. Add the cranberries and apple juice or cider to a medium pot, along with the cinnamon stick, cloves and allspice berries.

2. Place over high heat and bring to a boil; allow it to boil for about 10-15 minutes and you will hear the cranberries start to pop.

3. Keep boiling until the popping has ceased, then reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer, undisturbed, for at least 30 minutes.

4. Once finished, turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon to remove the spices.

5. With the spoon gently scoop the cranberries to the side of the pot and smash them against the side to crush and express the juice.

6. Repeat until all the cranberries have been crushed.

7. Gently pour the mulled cranberry and apple cider through a fine mesh strainer into a secondary vessel such as a pitcher or medium bowl.

8. Mix in the honey, stirring to dissolve, then set the cider in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.

9. Once chilled, divide the mulled cider between 4 serving glasses.

10. Top with the seltzer water, also divided between the 4 glasses, and garnish as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

• This recipe can also be enjoyed warm, but should be enjoyed immediately as the heat will make the fizz go flat a little quicker - the seltzer water could be omitted entirely if you’re looking for a new twist on hot mulled cider!

• *The honey may be omitted if preferred for a dry flavor profile; or, if being served warm, as our perception of sweetness is heightened with heat.

• If you want to save a little time and effort, ½ cup of 100% cranberry juice can be used in place of whole, fresh cranberries.

• Whole spices are recommended over ground, as they provide a more subtle flavor; however ground can be used in a pinch.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

35 calories – 0g fat – 0g sat fat – 9g carbohydrates –0g protein – 0g fiber – 5 mg sodium

Nutrient Highlights

• Cranberries: Provides concentrated anthocyanins and polyphenols that may inhibit cancer cell growth and protect DNA from oxidative damage.

• Apple Cider: Contains naturally occurring polyphenols and vitamin C that help combat oxidative stress and support cellular protection, contributing to an overall dietary pattern associated with reduced cancer risk.

• Mulling Spices: Cinnamon, allspice, and clove are rich in concentrated phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce chronic inflammation, support detoxification pathways, and protect cells from DNA damage.

• Honey: A natural sweetener that provides antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help protect the body against oxidative stress.