Warm to Your Toes

I don't know why I wait until I'm having company to make this tea. In the wintertime, this tea - or one of its many cousins - is the beverage of choice when I host a meeting and want to offer something besides coffee. It's also the perfect non-prescription antidote for fighting a cold or battling with winter. With the tea and the Vitamin C, this is like a cup of TLC.

I looked through lots of cookbooks and put together this recipe from a conglomeration of several.  I cut the amount of sugar to cut the calories. I used brown sugar instead of granulated for the flavor. If it's not sweet enough to suit you, add in some additional sugar or you could add a packet of artificial sweetener to your mug. It's certainly not a diet drink, but it does warm you up and make you feel all cozy - whether it's a cold day or you're just suffering from a cold. Enjoy!

Cranberry Tea

1 qt. cranberry juice cocktail
1 1/2 cups orange juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 tsp. whole allspice
3 cups orange pekoe tea or cinnamon apple tea or orange zinger tea

In a saucepan, combine juices and brown sugar. Combine spices into cheesecloth or put in a coffee filter and tie at the top. Put spices in with the juices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the spices. Add hot tea to the cranberry juice mixture; mix. Serve hot or cold. Garnish with fresh orange or lemon slices, if desired. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

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Today, I'm linked to Wichita blogger Ashley at her Kitchen Meets Girl What's In Your Kitchen Wednesday. I'm so excited that she featured my Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup from last week! Be sure and check out all the yummy recipes today at Kitchen Meets Girl and go back and visit her often!