Ingredients:

  • 240 ml (1 cup) Water
  • 180 ml (¾ cup) Maple Syrup (Grade A or B)
  • 4 Whole Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1 tablespoon Whole Cloves
  • 3 Star Anise pods
  • 5 cm (1 inch) Fresh Ginger, sliced
  • 720 ml (3 cups) Strong Black Tea (e.g., Assam or Ceylon), brewed and cooled
  • 5 Litres (6 cups) 100% Cranberry Juice (Unsweetened preferred)
  • 240 ml (1 cup) Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
  • 60 ml (¼ cup) Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
  • 1 Litre (about 4 cups) Ginger Ale or Lemonade, chilled
  • 1 Fresh Orange, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • 120g (4 oz) Fresh Cranberries (for garnish)
  • 6 small Rosemary Sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Concentrated Spice Syrup: In a saucepan, combine the water, maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and ginger slices. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the maple syrup is fully dissolved.
  2. Steep: Reduce the heat immediately and simmer very gently for 10 minutes to develop the flavor base.
  3. Cool & Strain: Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool slightly (about 15 minutes). Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the spice solids. Refrigerate the spice syrup until completely cold (at least 2 hours).
  4. Prepare the Ice Ring (Optional): Fill a Bundt tin or ice mould halfway with water. Add a layer of fresh cranberries, thin orange slices, and small rosemary sprigs. Top up with water and freeze until solid (4 hours minimum or overnight).
  5. Assemble the Punch Base: In a very large punch bowl, combine the chilled spice syrup, the cooled black tea, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lemon juice.
  6. Chill Base: Stir gently to combine thoroughly. Cover the punch base and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to marry perfectly.
  7. Final Assembly: Just before serving, carefully place the frozen ice ring (or large cubes) into the punch bowl.
  8. Add Fizz & Serve: Pour the chilled ginger ale (or lemonade) over the punch base. Do not stir too vigorously. Float the remaining fresh orange slices and cranberries on the surface and serve immediately.