Get ready to beat the bloat this Thanksgiving, all thanks to my super easy and miracle working cranberry tonic! Ok, so maybe miracle working is a bit of a stretch, but this stuff really does help to keep your stomach from wanting to explode after a large meal. It’s also festive AF and you can use it to make delicious and refreshing after dinner cocktails. Or before dinner cocktails. Or during dinner cocktails. It’s the holidays after all.

I’ve used a blend of fresh turmeric and ginger root, tart cranberries, fennel seed, citrus peel, chile, mint, and a combo of apple cider vinegar and cranberry bitters to help with the overeating we’re all bound to do this holiday season. It’s sweetened with a bit of fresh squeezed orange juice and honey, and is ever so slightly bitter. It smells and almost tastes like Kool-Aid, and is so delicious I’ve been drinking a glass every day. It’s great topped off with fizzy water, a splash of gin for the adult version, or on its own over ice. So go ahead and have that second or third helping of stuffing, I’ve got you covered.

Cranberry Tonic

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced thin

1/4 C fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thin

orange peel, in long strips from about half an orange

lemon peel, in long strips from about half a lemon

1/2 C fresh cranberries

1 small dried chile de árbol, seeds removed

1/2 tsp fennel seed

5 sprigs mint

1/4 C apple cider vinegar

juice of 1 orange, approximately 1/4 C

1/4 C cranberry bitters

2 Tbsp honey

2 1/2 C water

In a sealable container that can hold 4+ cups (a large mason jar works great), add turmeric, ginger, orange and lemon peel, cranberries, chile de árbol, fennel seed, and mint. Muddle until the cranberries, turmeric, and ginger have been broken up. Add the remaining ingredients and seal the container. Place in the fridge to steep overnight. Strain out the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. Transfer tonic back to the sealable container. Serve over ice and top with seltzer for a touch of fizz.

*Note: This recipe was inspired by Bon Appétit’s Overeater’s Tonic. Find the original recipe here.

Fine Art Friday

Cranberry Tonic