Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce
on Nov 11, 2020, Updated Jul 09, 2024
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This Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce is a must make for Thanksgiving! Perfectly sweet with hints of citrus and smoky vanilla bourbon!
This recipe and photos have been updated since the original post on 11/19/2014
Is it just me or is cranberry sauce the side dish that seems to get forgotten about at the Thanksgiving table. People see it and either pass over it or just take a tiny spoonful to be polite. I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite side dish, I’m more into these Balsamic Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. However, it is nice to have something sweet to put on the turkey.
This year the goal is to get the family to actually take a serving of cranberry sauce and I’m making it happen with this Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce!
Ingredients For Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Bourbon or whisky
- Maple syrup
- An orange
- Cinnamon sticks
How to Make Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce
Making this cranberry sauce is really no different than following the recipe on the back of the bag of cranberries. Start by bringing the water and maple syrup to a boil in a large saucepan. Once it’s boiling add in the cranberries and cinnamon sticks. Turn the heat down so that the cranberries continue to gently boil. You’ll want to cover the pan partially with a lid to prevent splatters all over the stove.
Cook the cranberries for about 10 minutes or until most of them have burst open. Turn off the heat and stir in the orange zest, orange juice and bourbon. Cool the cranberries to room temperature before placing then in the fridge to chill. I usually leave the cinnamon sticks in until just before serving for extra cinnamon flavor, but you don’t have to.
Tips and FAQ
Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes. Both fresh or frozen cranberries will work for this recipe.
Can the cinnamon stick be replaced with ground cinnamon? Yes. If you don’t want to use cinnamon sticks replace them with a 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Taste and add more depending on what you like.
Do I Have to Use Bourbon? If you are completely opposed to using bourbon or you don’t have any on hand you can omit it, but I highly recommend splurging and getting some. If you choose not to use it, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Does the alcohol cook off in the cranberry sauce? Not entirely. You may have noticed that I chose to stir the bourbon in after the cranberries had cooked. This means that the alcohol is still full proof in the sauce. If you add it in the beginning with the maple syrup and water, some of the alcohol will evaporate, but a portion will still be present. With a cooking time of 15 minutes you will still be left with approximately 40% alcohol.
How far ahead of time can the cranberry sauce be made? This cranberry sauce can be made 2-3 days in advance and any leftovers will keep for several days after.
Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 orange zested and juiced
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium high heat, bring the maple syrup and water to a boil. Add in the cranberries and cinnamon stick(s) and lower the heat so that the cranberries continue to gently boil. Cover the pan partially with a lid to prevent splattering. Cook the cranberries for 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the orange zest, juice and bourbon. Cool the cranberry sauce before putting it in an airtight container and refrigerating until ready to serve. The cinnamon stick may be left in for a stronger cinnamon flavor and removed before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Cranberry Recipes
Cranberry Maple Pecan Baked Oatmeal
Turkey, Cranberry and Brie Egg Rolls
OK…I don’t drink bourbon, but I do know that if you wouldn’t drink the alcohol, don’t cook with it. So I don’t want to use some cheap nasty tasting bourbon. In fact, I’d like to make not only this recipe, but also some bourbon balls and eggnog with bourbon. So what is the recommendation for a yummy tasting bourbon to cook with (and drink!!).
Thanks! :-)
Made this for Thanksgiving this year. Everyone loved it! Thanks for the recipe.
Actually, it was so good I think I might make some thumbprint cookies with this as the filling :D
Happy to hear everyone loved it! Can’t go wrong adding a little bourbon and orange to your cranberries!
Oh wow this cranberry sauce looks amazing! Love the touch with the bourbon! :)
Thanks Karen! Bourbon really does make everything a little better!
Bourbon…Why yes. I love it! Boozy sauces are always a hit in my house.
This looks amazing!! Homemade cranberry sauce all the way! Always. Though, I will say, I also grew up on the canned stuff and didn’t start liking homemade until my mid-20’s.
Ok this is the greatest cranberry sauce ever, LOVE the flavors!!
Thanks Matt! :-)