Spiced Cranberry Apple Punch
A warming slow-cooker punch that simmers tart cranberry juice and sweet apple cider with whole spices and orange slices until the flavors meld into a fragrant, holiday-ready drink. Serve directly from the slow cooker to keep it warm throughout a gathering.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
- 4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (for garnish)
Instructions
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1
Combine 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, 4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered), and 1 cup fresh orange juice in the slow cooker.
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2
Add 4 cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, 2 star anise pods, 1 sliced into rounds orange, and 3 tbsp brown sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
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3
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours or on HIGH for 1 hour, until the punch is steaming hot and fragrant.
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4
Taste and adjust sweetness with additional 3 tbsp brown sugar if desired.
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5
Remove the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise pods before serving, or leave them in for presentation. Ladle into mugs, garnish with 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (for garnish), and serve hot.