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Cranberry-Orange Infusion Jar & Gift Tag

If you need a simple homemade gift that looks beautiful but does not require an afternoon of complicated crafting, this Cranberry-Orange Infusion Jar is a good one.

The dried cranberries and orange slices give the jar rich holiday color, while cinnamon and rosemary add a light seasonal flavor. The recipient simply pours the contents into a pitcher, adds water or sparkling water and lets everything infuse in the refrigerator.

It is an easy gift for a hostess, neighbor, teacher, coworker or anyone who enjoys flavored water. It is also alcohol-free, inexpensive to assemble and easy to make several at one time.It is an easy gift for a hostess, neighbor, teacher, coworker or anyone who enjoys flavored water. It is also alcohol-free, inexpensive to assemble and easy to make several at one time.

Cranberry-Orange Sparkling Water Infusion Jar Recipe

It is an easy gift for a hostess, neighbor, teacher, coworker or anyone who enjoys flavored water. It is also alcohol-free, inexpensive to assemble and easy to make several at one time.

Equipment

1 16 ounce wide-mouth Mason jar

Ingredients

1 cup dried cranberries
4 dried orange slices
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Instructions

Make sure the jar and lid are completely clean and dry.
Add half of the dried cranberries to the jar.
Arrange the dried orange slices against the inside of the glass so they can be seen.
Add the cinnamon stick and dried rosemary.
Fill the remaining space with the rest of the cranberries.
Seal the jar tightly and add a ribbon, twine or gift tag.

Directions for the Gift Tag

Pour the contents of the jar into a pitcher. Add 4 to 6 cups of cold water or sparkling water. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, then strain and serve over ice.

For the strongest sparkle, infuse the mixture with regular water and add chilled sparkling water shortly before serving.

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Other beverage options include:

Still water: Add 4–6 cups and refrigerate for 2–4 hours.
Sparkling water: Infuse in 2 cups still water, strain, then add 2–4 cups chilled sparkling water.
Lemonade: Add the jar to 4–6 cups lemonade and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
Cranberry juice: Use 2 cups cranberry juice and 2–3 cups water or sparkling water.
White grape juice: Use 2 cups juice and 2–3 cups water or sparkling water.
Apple cider: Add everything to 6 cups apple cider. Refrigerate for a cold drink, or gently simmer for 10–15 minutes for a warm drink. Strain before serving.
Iced tea: Add the mixture to 6 cups freshly brewed black or herbal tea. Chill for 2–4 hours and strain.
Ginger ale: Infuse the jar in 2 cups still water, strain and add 3–4 cups chilled ginger ale before serving.
Cranberry-orange punch: Combine 2 cups cranberry juice, 2 cups orange juice and 2 cups ginger ale. Add the ginger ale immediately before serving.
Holiday mocktail: Infuse in cranberry or white grape juice, strain and top each glass with sparkling water or ginger ale.

For an adult version, it would also work with:

White wine or rosé: Add the jar to one bottle of wine and refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Strain and serve chilled.
Prosecco: Infuse the jar in 1 cup white grape or cranberry juice, strain and add a bottle of chilled Prosecco immediately before serving.
Vodka or gin punch: Infuse in juice or still water first, strain, then add the alcohol and sparkling mixer.

One important note: if the dried cranberries are sweetened, drinks such as lemonade, cider and cranberry juice may taste sweeter. Unsweetened dried cranberries are best when you want more control over the sweetness.

How to Store the Infusion Jar

Keep the sealed jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For the best flavor and appearance, give or use it within three months.

Once water has been added, keep the infusion refrigerated and enjoy it within two days.

Why This Makes a Good Gift

This infusion jar looks festive without requiring special equipment or expensive ingredients. It can be prepared ahead of time, fits easily into a gift basket and gives the recipient something they can actually use.

Pair it with a small pitcher, a pretty drinking glass or a bottle of sparkling water for a complete gift.

What You’ll Need

Here are the supplies you’ll need to make one Cranberry-Orange Sparkling Water Infusion Jar:

You may already have several of these ingredients in your pantry. If you are making multiple jars, purchasing the cranberries, cinnamon sticks and jars in larger packages may help lower the cost of each gift.

Simple, useful and homemade—that is exactly the kind of gift we love around here.

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