Some foods are meant to nourish your soul, not necessarily your body. Those foods are the ones who’s taste and smell can take you back in time or remind you of someone.
Last weekend as I made this Cranberry Pineapple Spice Tea the smell of cinnamon, cranberries and cloves began to fill my house. It was raining outside and the dogs were sleeping and the fireplace was flickering. I was folding warm, fresh towels straight out of the dryer and I looked around my sleepy quiet house. It made me smile because this is the exact opposite from how my Parents house feels when my Mom makes this tea.
I am the oldest of four kids so there was always lots of noise in our house. Mom would be in the kitchen cooking, usually with music playing. Dad would be in and out of the house with all of the dogs following closely. The four of us kids would be talking, laughing or arguing, but definitely not being quiet. The TV would be on somewhere in the house and if it was Christmas you could bet A Wonderful Life was being watched.
That busy little house is all I could think about while sipping on this tea in my quiet home. My three siblings and I do not live together anymore. Actually, we all live in four different places, but as the Holidays creep closer and that void that they have left in my heart grows bigger. I find myself wanting something, anything to make them feel a little closer. This tea is the only cure I could think of this weekend.
It worked too. As I sipped cup after cup I couldn’t help but smile and think to myself, my house may be quiet but my heart is full.
Yields 12
10 minPrep Time
40 minCook Time
50 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 46 ounce can pineapple juice
- 1 64 ounce bottle cranberry juice
- 2 family size tea bags
- 2 cinnamon sticks*
- 1 teaspoon cloves*
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1/3 cup fresh cranberries, optional
Instructions
- Pour juices in a large pot and heat to medium heat. Add tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices and cranberries.
- Bring mixture to a light simmer for 40 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and remove the tea bags, fruit and spices.
- Serve warm.
- *I cut a small square of cheesecloth and place the spices in it and tie it closed. This makes removing the spices easier.
