Prepare to fall in love with Spiced Cranberry Mors, a vibrant Slavic fruit drink that wraps your senses in warmth, tartness, and just the right touch of sweetness. With its jewel-toned hue and festive blend of spices, this easy-to-make beverage transforms humble cranberries into a cozy winter tonic perfect for holiday tables or afternoon pick-me-ups. Whether you serve it chilled over ice or steamy from the stovetop, Spiced Cranberry Mors is the kind of recipe that will make you wonder how something so simple can taste this wonderfully complex.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Cranberry Mors:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 5 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
Spices:
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 thin slice fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 strip lemon peel (optional)
How to Make Spiced Cranberry Mors
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, add your cranberries, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and if you’re feeling adventurous, a thin slice of fresh ginger and a strip of lemon peel. The mixture will look like a kitchen still life—a mix of deep reds and aromatic spice just waiting to become something spectacular.
Step 2: Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer
Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring everything to a rolling boil. As soon as the water bubbles brightly, drop the heat to low and let the pot simmer gently. Over the next 15 to 20 minutes, you’ll hear cranberries gently popping as they soften and release their tangy juice, filling your kitchen with a fragrance that’s irresistible.
Step 3: Steep for Maximum Flavor
When your cranberries have collapsed and the liquid glows ruby red, remove the pan from the heat and let it steep for another 10 minutes. This extra time lets the spices and fruit completely infuse the drink, deepening the flavors and creating a more sophisticated Spiced Cranberry Mors.
Step 4: Strain and Sweeten
Place a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth over a clean bowl and pour the hot mixture through, pressing gently on the solids to extract every last drop of essence. Discard the solids, then stir in your honey or maple syrup while the liquid is still warm—this helps it dissolve beautifully and meld into the finished beverage.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Allow your Spiced Cranberry Mors to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a glass bottle or jar. Pop it into the fridge where it will chill into a subtly spiced, jewel-bright drink just waiting to brighten your next gathering.
How to Serve Spiced Cranberry Mors
Garnishes
The right garnish turns a simple glass of Spiced Cranberry Mors into a showstopper. Try a twist of lemon peel, a few whole cranberries bobbing on top, or a cinnamon stick stirrer for an aromatic flourish that hints at the flavors inside.
Side Dishes
Pair Spiced Cranberry Mors with platters of holiday cookies, nutty cakes, or even savory Russian piroshki. Its tartness balances rich or buttery treats, making it the perfect companion for all kinds of festive nibbles.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Spiced Cranberry Mors in small glass cups with sparkling water for a fizzy twist, or warm it gently for comfort on chilly days. For a dinner party, pour it into clear pitchers so the ruby color shines, and let guests help themselves—it always draws a crowd!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Spiced Cranberry Mors, simply pour it into a tightly-sealed glass jar and refrigerate. It keeps for three to four days and the flavor actually deepens as the spices mellow overnight.
Freezing
To freeze Spiced Cranberry Mors, pour it into ice cube trays for vibrant mors cubes you can pop into sparkling water or cocktails, or freeze it in larger containers for future chilly nights. Just be sure to leave a little space in each container for expansion as it freezes.
Reheating
When you’re ready for a warm mug, heat your Spiced Cranberry Mors gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s just steaming. Avoid boiling, as that can mute the aromas and cook off the delicate top notes from your spices.
FAQs
Can I make Spiced Cranberry Mors with dried cranberries?
Fresh or frozen cranberries are ideal for their juiciness and clean tart flavor, but if you use dried cranberries, soak them in water for at least an hour first and adjust the sweetness since dried berries are more concentrated.
Is Spiced Cranberry Mors kid-friendly?
Absolutely! This naturally alcohol-free drink is a delight for all ages. With a bit less honey, it makes a tangy, healthful refreshment kids will love, especially when served over ice or lightly carbonated.
Can I double or halve the recipe?
Spiced Cranberry Mors scales beautifully. Double it to serve a crowd or halve it for a cozy night in—just keep the ingredient ratios the same for consistent flavor.
What if I don’t have cinnamon sticks or whole cloves?
Ground cinnamon and cloves will work in a pinch, though the drink may be a little cloudier. Try using a tea infuser or cheesecloth to contain ground spices for easier straining.
Can I use different sweeteners in Spiced Cranberry Mors?
Of course! Agave nectar, coconut sugar, or your favorite alternative sweetener all work. Just add slowly and taste—the beauty of this recipe is how customizable it is to your preferences.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re inspired to give Spiced Cranberry Mors a spot in your kitchen and at your next gathering. It’s a recipe that’s as welcoming as it is beautiful, and every glass feels like a toast to tradition—with a refreshing twist. Go ahead and make a batch; you’ll fall in love with its vibrant color, cozy spices, and the little ritual of savoring it sip by delicious sip.
Print
Spiced Cranberry Mors Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Enjoy the flavors of the season with this delightful Spiced Cranberry Mors recipe. Perfect for any occasion, this beverage is bursting with the tartness of cranberries and the warm spices of cinnamon and cloves. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, it’s a refreshing drink that can be served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Cranberry Mors:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 5 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
Spices:
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 thin slice fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 strip lemon peel (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Mors: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and optional ginger and lemon peel. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until the cranberries burst.
- Strain and Sweeten: Remove from heat, strain the mixture, and press out all the juice. Stir in honey or maple syrup while warm.
- Chill and Serve: Let the mixture cool, then transfer to a container and refrigerate. Serve chilled or warm.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness to taste.
- This traditional Slavic fruit drink is rich in antioxidants.
- Add sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Slavic, Russian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
