Skip the canned cranberry sauce – this boozy side dish can be prepared several days in advance and is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal!
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I’ve been making a stovetop version of this Bourbon Cranberry Sauce for several years now, and this year I decided to add even more flavor to it.
Hellooooo, orange.
Citrus zest packs so much flavor, and since orange and cranberry work so well together (see these Cranberry Orange Trifles with Candied Walnuts for proof!), I knew it would be a natural fit.
I used some juice from my orange after zesting it, and it really added a nice flavor.
You know, in addition to all.that.bourbon.
Which does not get cooked out of the sauce, mind you. It gets stirred in at the end.
This sauce was a huge hit this year! I doubled the amount I’m posting here for our small Thanksgiving dinner because I knew we’d be wanting plenty of leftovers. It holds up really well for an entire week in the fridge – if it lasts that long!
My husband used to love the can-o-cranberry sauce, but this stuff is a total (tipsy) game-changer.
Looking for more Thanksgiving favorites? Check out these 5-star recipes:
- Triple-Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Mini Turkey Pot Pies with Puff Pastry
- Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake
- Zoodle Frittata
- No Mayo Deviled Eggs
- Best Ever Green Bean Casserole
- Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Yield:
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This boozy side dish can be prepared several days in advance and is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal!
Ingredients
- 1 pound (about 4 cups) cranberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup bourbon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, place cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice and cinnamon. Stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring every 10 minutes, until it reaches your desired consistency (about 35-35 minutes.
- Take pan off heat and stir in bourbon. Refrigerate until well chilled.
Notes
Recipe by Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen – Ashley Covelli – adapted from Bon Appétit November 1991
Note: This post includes affiliate links for items that I genuinely enjoy. Big Flavors will receive a tiny commission from purchases made through affiliate links on this site at no added cost to you. This allows us to cover site-related expenses and helps to keep us cooking up a storm!
18 Comments
Beth Lee
There can be nothing wrong with adding bourbon! (or orange). Love this.
Michelle Nahom
Cranberry and orange are the perfect combo…I love everything about this recipe! And bourbon…yes!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow
I love cranberries and oranges. And I’m always good with adding booze:) Happy Holidays.
Melville Nicoletta
Cranberry and orange go so well together, you are right, and that addition of the bourbon…yes! This sauce looks so yummy, I would eat by the spoonful! 🙂
BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen
It’s the perfect finishing touch for any Thanksgiving meal! This year I’m going to save a little on the side without the bourbon so my kindergartener can enjoy it without getting tipsy 😉
Dishes Delish
Yum. Cranberries with orange and bourbon! Yes, this is my type of cranberry sauce. This looks so delicious and I can not wait to try your recipe!
BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen
I hope you enjoy it! It’s been a real favorite at our holiday gatherings.
Dominique Fasano
This sounds sooo delicious! Why have I never thought to add bourbon to my cranberry sauce! I’m getting so many great ideas for Thanksgiving 🙂 🙂
BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen
I feel like bourbon goes well in *so* many dishes – when in doubt, add a splash or 3! 😉
Sarah Brinegar Trenalone
I never thought of adding bourbon to cranberry sauce! I love that idea!
BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen
It’s *so* good – Grand Marnier or Cointreau would probably be great here, too!
Eileen Gray
You had me at boozy side dish!! I’ve been into baking and cooking with bourbon lately and happen to have an extra bag of cranberries in the fridge. Can’t wait to try this!
FoodieGirlChicago
I love cranberry sauces with a twist and the addition of bourbon is definitely a good twist!!
veenaazmnaov
Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite with roast turkey. In fact I make extra just so we can have left overs… This loooks so good. Love how thick this is.
veenaazmnaov
I love how thick this sauce is. Cranberry sauce with my roast turkey is by far my favorite part of the thanksgiving dinner.
Christine
Man, this recipe sounds amazing! My sister loves orange and cranberry together, so I’ll have to make this for her when we get together for the holidays 🙂
Amanda {Striped Spatula}
Spiked cranberry sauce is the best cranberry sauce! I love that you’ve used bourbon. What a great flavor with the fruit and cinnamon. Pass me a spoon!
Amanda Mason
These ingredients looks amazing! I bet this recipe is full of flavor! Perfect for the holiday season!