Festive Spiced Christmas Tea
Embrace the holiday spirit with this aromatic Festive Spiced Christmas Tea. Combining the warmth of black tea with rich cranberry juice and a hint of Burgundy wine, this delightful beverage is flavored with sweet cinnamon and cloves, creating a celebratory brew perfect for cozy gatherings. Whether you serve it at a holiday party or enjoy it by the fireplace, this tea will fill your home with a magical Christmas aroma, making it a sought-after treat that guests will either rave about or debate—just like the holidays themselves!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1 1/3 cups (Bring to a boil)
black tea bags
6 (Use for steeping)
cinnamon stick
1 (Broken into pieces)
whole cloves
3 (Add whole)
sugar or Splenda
1/3 cup (To taste)
cranberry juice cocktail
1 1/3 cups (Use as sweet and tart component)
Burgundy wine
1 cup (Add for depth of flavor)
fruit slices (pears or apples)
to taste (Studded with cloves, for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, bring 1 1/3 cups of water to a rolling boil.
2
Once boiling, add 6 black tea bags, a broken cinnamon stick, and 3 whole cloves to the water.
3
Cover the saucepan and allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
4
Carefully remove the tea bags and spices from the saucepan.
5
Stir in 1/3 cup of sugar (or Splenda if you prefer a sugar-free version), 1 1/3 cups of cranberry juice cocktail, and 1 cup of Burgundy wine, ensuring everything is well combined.
6
Return the mixture to medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar is fully dissolved and the tea is heated through, but avoid boiling.
7
Pour the tea into cups, garnished with sliced pears or apple slices studded with cloves for an elegant touch. Serve warm and enjoy the festive flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festive Spiced Christmas Tea?
It is an aromatic holiday beverage made with black tea, cranberry juice, Burgundy wine, cinnamon, and cloves.
What type of tea is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 black tea bags.
Can I use loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags?
Yes, you can substitute the bags with an equivalent amount of loose-leaf black tea placed in an infuser.
How many tea bags do I need for this Christmas tea?
You will need 6 black tea bags for this recipe.
What spices are used to flavor the tea?
The tea is flavored with one broken cinnamon stick and three whole cloves.
How long should the tea and spices steep?
The mixture should steep covered for 5 minutes to properly infuse the flavors.
Can I make a sugar-free version of this tea?
Yes, you can replace the 1/3 cup of sugar with Splenda or another sugar-free sweetener.
What kind of juice is added to the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 1/3 cups of cranberry juice cocktail.
Does this Festive Spiced Christmas Tea contain alcohol?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 cup of Burgundy wine.
What kind of wine is recommended?
Burgundy wine is recommended for its depth of flavor.
Can I substitute the Burgundy wine with another variety?
Yes, a similar red wine like Pinot Noir would work well as a substitute.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of this recipe?
You can omit the wine and replace it with more cranberry juice or a red grape juice for a non-alcoholic version.
How should the tea be garnished?
Garnish with sliced pears or apple slices studded with additional cloves.
What fruits are best for the garnish?
Pears or apples are suggested as elegant fruit garnishes.
How do I prepare the fruit slices for garnish?
Slice the fruit and stud the pieces with cloves for an elegant touch.
Should I boil the mixture after adding the juice and wine?
No, you should heat it through but avoid boiling once the wine and juice are added.
Can this tea be served cold?
While intended as a warm beverage, it can be chilled and served over ice if preferred.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday parties?
Absolutely, its aromatic scent and festive flavor make it perfect for holiday gatherings.
How many cups does this recipe make?
Based on the liquid ingredients, it yields approximately 4 to 5 cups.
Can I use honey instead of sugar?
Yes, honey can be used as a natural sweetener instead of sugar.
Why should I remove the tea bags and spices after 5 minutes?
Removing them prevents the tea from becoming too bitter or the spices from overpowering the drink.
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of a cinnamon stick?
It is possible, but a cinnamon stick is preferred to keep the tea clear rather than cloudy.
How many cloves are needed for the steeping process?
You need 3 whole cloves for the initial steeping.
What should I do with the cinnamon stick before adding it?
You should break the cinnamon stick into pieces before adding it to the boiling water.
Is it easy to double this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double all the ingredients to serve a larger group.
What does the tea smell like?
It has a magical Christmas aroma featuring sweet cinnamon, cloves, and fruity notes.
Can I use plain cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail?
Yes, but you may need to add more sugar as plain cranberry juice is much more tart.
Does the water need to be at a rolling boil?
Yes, start by bringing 1 1/3 cups of water to a rolling boil before adding the tea and spices.
How do I ensure the sugar is fully dissolved?
Stir the mixture gently over medium heat until you no longer see sugar granules.
Can I prepare this tea in advance?
Yes, you can make it ahead and gently reheat it on the stove when ready to serve.