Cranberry Orange Mulled Punch Food

CRANBERRY-ORANGE PUNCH

Steps:

• Combine cranberry juice, soda and orange juice in a large punch bowl. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, float orange slices and cranberries in the punch.

MULLED CRANBERRY PUNCH

Steps:

• Put the rum, cranberry juice, cider, maple syrup, honey, clove and star anise into a large saucepot over medium heat. Cook until a slow simmer is just reached and the honey/maple syrup is dissolved.
• Ladle the punch into heatproof glasses or mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE HOLIDAY PUNCH

Steps:

• For the Bundt ice ring: Pour 1 inch of water into the bottom of a 12-cup Bundt pan. Add a quarter of the cranberries, 5 thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves and evenly spread the ingredients around the Bundt pan--this will be the top of the ice cube. Place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours.
• For the next layer, add enough water to fill halfway up the Bundt pan, then add the same quantity of ingredients as the first layer. Place in freezer for at least 4 more hours. Continue to make 2 more layers and freeze in the same manner, freezing each layer at least 4 hours before adding on the next. The final layer should freeze 8 hours or up to overnight before being used.
• Turn the Bundt pan onto a baking sheet and hold under running hot water until the Bundt ice ring releases onto the baking sheet, 5 to 10 seconds. Add to a punch bowl when ready to serve.
• For the spiced-thyme simple syrup: Combine the sugar with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the allspice, cloves, thyme and cinnamon sticks. Let steep while it comes to room temperature, 1 hour. Strain and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the punch: Stir together the cranberry juice, vodka and 2 cups spiced-thyme simple syrup (save the remainder for another use). Pour over the Bundt ice ring in the punch bowl and top with prosecco and cranberries for garnish. Serve immediately.

MULLED CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Wrap the cinnamon stick, peppercorns, orange zest and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie closed with kitchen twine to make a bundle.
• Combine the cranberries, sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, the wine and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan; add the cheesecloth bundle and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the sauce thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Transfer the cranberry sauce to a bowl and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight; discard the cheesecloth bundle. Garnish with thin strips of orange zest.

CRANBERRY COSMO PUNCH

Steps:

• For the mulled cranberry juice: Combine the cranberry juice, brown sugar, cloves, star anise and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator to cool completely. Strain just before using.
• For the punch: Combine the vodka, triple sec and 4 1/2 cups of the mulled cranberry juice in a large punch bowl over ice or a juice ice mold (see Cook's Note). Stir to combine. Garnish with the orange twist if using.

CRANBERRY-CLEMENTINE MULLED SANGRIA

Steps:

• Bring the allspice, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags, then return the mixture to a boil. Stir in the maple syrup and cranberries, and cook for 2 minutes. Let cool, then transfer the mixture to a 3-quart pitcher.
• Add the wine and liqueur to the pitcher, and stir to combine. Add the clementines and ginger, and cover the pitcher with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the sangria for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• To serve, fill 8 glasses halfway with ice, then pour the sangria and fruit into each glass.

MULLED PEAR & CRANBERRY PUNCH

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients into your biggest saucepan or casserole dish. When you're ready to serve, heat to just below simmering point, then ladle into glasses.