Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups water
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 3 star anise pods
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or small pine sprigs
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the water into a medium saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer over low heat.
- Add the orange, lemon, and apple slices to the simmering water.
- Stir in the cranberries so they spread evenly across the pot.
- Drop in the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.
- Split the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the pot, then add the pod.
- Tuck in the rosemary or pine sprigs for a fresh, evergreen note.
- Add the maple syrup or honey if you prefer a sweeter, baked-fruit aroma.
- Let the mixture simmer on the lowest heat, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes, checking occasionally to keep the water from boiling away.
- Replenish with a half cup of water every hour as needed to maintain the scent and level.
- When finished, turn off the heat and allow the pot to cool before storing leftover ingredients or discarding.
Notes
Start with cold water for even citrus oil release. For a brighter citrus punch, add zest instead of more slices. Keep an eye on the water level during simmering.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg