Hot Pomegranate Cider goodness—so nice to sip while you read the post.
It’s January—the month that follows the busiest, most indulgent, frivolous, joyful month of the year.
It’s the time we slow down. Take stock. Renew ourselves.
We vow to exercise and eat right. To savor life. To cherish our families. To put our heart and soul into some big endeavor.
We detoxify and revitalize.
What better way to do that than to boost our immune systems with vitamins and antioxidants, fruits and vegetables—smoothies, juices, and detoxifying soups.
It’s a call to arms by Nicola of gfree-mom where a month of bloggers share their antioxidant drinks and soups to create D-Tox January. Welcome to Day 25 of D-tox January. For links to all the other wonderful detoxifying & healthy recipes visit at gfree-mom.
This easy recipe incorporates three antioxidant powerhouses—pomegranate, apple cider and white tea. The combination, hot and steamy will soothe you—a good friend, your honey, and your kids—on a cold winter evening.
I’ve been sipping it to help ward off this darn cold I’ve been fighting. And, just because it tastes really really really good.
So, make a cup, or two, and mosey on over to g-freemom to read her call to arms and peruse the list of other D-tox January drinks and soups. It will inspire you to start on your own D-Tox path.
Hot Pomegranate Cider (with a White Tea Kicker)
Heat and lightly simmer in a small saucepan for 10 minutes and remove from the heat:
2 cups apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
4-6 whole cloves
Brew the tea for 1 minute in a small teapot:
2 White Tea tea bags (I used Republic of Tea Asian Jasmine White Tea-it’s gluten-free.)
2/3 cups hot (not boiling) water*
Add to the teapot with the white tea:
1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice**
Warmed spiced cider
Pour into two large mugs. Sip. Smile.
*Bring the water to a boil and take it off the burner. Let it cool for a few minutes (optimal temperature is 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit). Here’s a really nice guide on how to brew tea from my friend Amber over at Bluebonnets and Brownies.
**I used POM Lite. If you use 100% pomegranate juice reduce the amount to 3/4 cup and substitute the other 3/4 cup with half water/half cider or all water. Of course, if you like the kick pomegranate juice gives this drink go for the whole 1 1/2 cups!! It’s all a matter of taste.