Drinks

Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea

Name: Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups of water; 2 cups of apple juice; 1 cup of orange juice; 1 cup of cranberry juice; 5–6 cloves; 2–3 cinnamon sticks; 1 orange, sliced; 1 apple, sliced; Honey or sugar to taste

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Warm, spiced, and bright with citrus, Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea fills the kitchen with holiday scents and tastes like a warm hug. This easy, nonalcoholic brew blends apple, orange, and cranberry juices with cinnamon and cloves. It pours a deep red-gold color, smells of cinnamon and citrus, and tastes sweet-tart with a warming spice finish. Serve it at holiday gatherings, quiet evenings by the tree, or alongside baked treats like air-fryer Christmas donut holes for a cozy pairing.

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes (simmer + steep)
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 (about 1 cup / 240 ml each)
Difficulty Level: Easy

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving (based on 6 servings):

Calories per serving: 100 kcal
Protein: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fat: 0.2 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Sugar: 22 g
Sodium: 10 mg

(Values are estimates. Final numbers vary with juice brands and added sweetener.)

Why Make This Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea

This fruit tea is fast, crowd-friendly, and fragrant. It needs no special equipment and uses common juices and spices. The aroma of cinnamon and cloves fills your home. The taste balances sweet apple and orange with tart cranberry and warm spice. It works as a kid-friendly drink, a nonalcoholic option for parties, or a base for adult versions. It’s great for entertaining because you can make a large pot ahead and keep it warm.

How to Make Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea

The method is simple: combine juices and water, add whole spices and fruit slices, simmer gently, then let the flavors steep. Strain and sweeten to taste. You can make it on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an electric kettle that holds a pot. Warm gently — do not boil hard, which can blunt fresh citrus notes.

Ingredients:

2 cups of water
2 cups of apple juice
1 cup of orange juice
1 cup of cranberry juice
5–6 cloves
2–3 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, sliced
1 apple, sliced
Honey or sugar to taste

Directions:

Step 1: Preparation

Measure the water and juices into a large pot. Rinse and slice the orange and apple into thin rounds or wedges. Gather the cloves and cinnamon sticks.

Step 2: Mixing

Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and the sliced orange and apple to the pot with the juices and water. Stir gently so the spices and fruit spread through the liquid.

Step 3: Cooking

Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once it simmers, reduce the heat to low and let it steep for 15–20 minutes. This draws spice and fruit flavor into the tea without boiling off the bright citrus notes.

Step 4: Finishing

Taste and sweeten with honey or sugar if desired. Remove from heat, strain the tea into a heatproof container, and discard the fruit and whole spices. Serve warm in mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick or an orange slice if you like.

How to Serve Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea

Serve warm in heatproof mugs.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, or an orange wheel for a festive look.
Pair with cookies, scones, or breakfast pastries.
For a party, keep the tea in a slow cooker on warm so guests can serve themselves.
For adults, offer a side of dark rum, bourbon, or spiced liqueur so guests can spike their cup.

How to Store Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea

Refrigerate: Cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Freeze: You can freeze the tea in airtight containers for up to 3 months, but texture and flavor may change slightly. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat slowly.
Make-ahead: Prepare a day ahead and reheat before serving. Keep spices aside until reheating if you want a fresher spice aroma.

Expert Tips for Perfect Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea

Use 100% juices without added spice to control flavor and sweetness.
Simmer gently — a rolling boil can dull citrus flavor.
Taste before sweetening: juice brands vary widely in sweetness.
If you prefer more spice, bruise the cinnamon sticks slightly to release more flavor.
For clearer tea, strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
Substitute star anise or a vanilla bean for part of the cinnamon for a different aroma.
If you like a brighter citrus note, add a strip of lemon zest while steeping (remove before serving).

Delicious Variations

Spiced Apple-Orange: Add 2 cardamom pods and a vanilla bean for a richer spice profile.
Alcohol-warmed: For adults, add 1–2 tablespoons rum or bourbon per cup.
Tea-infused: Steep a bag of black tea or rooibos in the pot for 3–5 minutes for a caffeinated version.
Ginger kick: Add 3–4 thin slices of fresh ginger while simmering for warmth and bite.
Less sweet: Use unsweetened cranberry or dilute apple juice with extra water to lower sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use fresh-squeezed juices instead of bottled juices?
A: Yes. Fresh-squeezed orange and apple juice work well and give a brighter, fresher flavor. Fresh juices may be less sweet, so check seasoning and sweeten to taste.

Q: How much honey or sugar should I add?
A: Start with 1–2 teaspoons of honey or sugar per cup and increase as needed. Taste after the tea has steeped and cooled slightly — cold temperatures mute sweetness.

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely. Combine ingredients in a slow cooker, heat on low for 1–2 hours until warm and fragrant, and keep on warm for serving. Do not overcook for too long or citrus can get bitter.

Q: Is this drink kid-friendly?
A: Yes. It’s nonalcoholic and warm and can be served to children. Keep honey out of formula-fed infants under one year old.

Q: Can I reuse the fruit and spices for another batch?
A: The fruit and whole spices give most of their flavor in the first batch. You can add fresh spices if you want a second batch, but flavor will be much weaker. It’s better to use fresh spices and fruit for each batch.

Q: Will the tea be too tart with cranberries?
A: That depends on the cranberry juice. If you use tart pure cranberry juice, balance it with a little extra apple juice or a touch of sweetener.

Conclusion

This Cozy Christmas Fruit Tea is an easy, fragrant winter favorite that fills your home with warm spices and bright citrus. It’s quick to make, flexible to adapt, and perfect for family nights or holiday hosting. If you want to order a cozy drink instead of making one at home, try ordering from Cozy Tea Loft (Edison, NJ-27) | Order Online to see how professionals serve a warm cup. Enjoy making this at home, and don’t be afraid to tweak spices and sweetness to match your taste.