Mulled Blood Orange Canelazo with Spiced Rum
A warm, comforting Ecuadorian-inspired drink blending blood orange juice with cinnamon and aromatic spices, enhanced by a splash of spiced rum. This latin american-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 23 minutes brings together blood orange juice, water, brown sugar for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups blood orange juice
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 5 cloves whole cloves
- 1 whole star anise
- 5 berries allspice berries
- 1/2 cup spiced rum
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups blood orange juice, 1 cup water, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 whole cloves, 1 star anise, and 5 allspice berries. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and let the spiced mixture infuse for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and strain out the spices.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup spiced rum and 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice. Serve hot in heatproof mugs, garnished with an extra cinnamon stick if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mulled Blood Orange Canelazo with Spiced Rum take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (5 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Mulled Blood Orange Canelazo with Spiced Rum?
Refrigerate any leftover mulled blood orange canelazo with spiced rum in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mulled Blood Orange Canelazo with Spiced Rum?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mulled Blood Orange Canelazo with Spiced Rum for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mulled Blood Orange Canelazo with Spiced Rum?
Latin American cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.