Easy Cranberry Sauce with Bourbon Recipe
A warm Southern twist on the classic holiday side with fresh cranberries, smooth bourbon, and bright citrus. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and make-ahead hosting.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 oz bourbon
- Juice of ½ an orange about 2 to 3 tbsp
- Zest of ½ an orange plus more for garnish
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add the cranberries, water, brown sugar, bourbon, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla, cinnamon stick, and salt to a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. The cranberries will burst and the sauce will become thick and glossy.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool for at least 10 minutes so it thickens and the flavors blend.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and garnish with extra orange zest if desired. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend a portion with an immersion blender and stir it back in for a silkier finish.
- For a stronger bourbon flavor, add a small splash after the sauce cools so the warm vanilla notes stay more pronounced.
- Cranberries can vary in tartness, so feel free to adjust the sweetness or citrus to fit your taste.
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it looks a little loose when it first comes off the heat.
- Frozen cranberries work well too, but the sauce may need an extra minute or two to simmer and thicken.
- Storage: Keep the sauce in the fridge for up to seven days. You can also freeze it for up to two months and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 27IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mg
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