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:

Bourbon-Orange Cranberry Sauce

Yield: About 3 cups 1x

Description

This boozy side dish can be prepared several days in advance and is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal!

Scale

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

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Beth Lee

November 17, 2016 at 11:15 am Reply

There can be nothing wrong with adding bourbon! (or orange). Love this.

Michelle Nahom

November 17, 2016 at 9:51 pm Reply

Cranberry and orange are the perfect combo…I love everything about this recipe! And bourbon…yes!

Laura @MotherWouldKnow

November 18, 2016 at 1:05 am Reply

I love cranberries and oranges. And I’m always good with adding booze:) Happy Holidays.

Melville Nicoletta

November 20, 2017 at 11:25 am Reply

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

November 21, 2017 at 9:46 pm Reply

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

November 20, 2017 at 2:45 pm Reply

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

November 21, 2017 at 9:47 pm Reply

I hope you enjoy it! It’s been a real favorite at our holiday gatherings.

Dominique Fasano

November 21, 2017 at 8:16 am Reply

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

November 21, 2017 at 9:47 pm Reply

I feel like bourbon goes well in *so* many dishes – when in doubt, add a splash or 3! 😉

Sarah Brinegar Trenalone

November 21, 2017 at 8:08 pm Reply

I never thought of adding bourbon to cranberry sauce! I love that idea!

BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

November 21, 2017 at 9:48 pm Reply

It’s *so* good – Grand Marnier or Cointreau would probably be great here, too!

Eileen Gray

November 22, 2017 at 3:15 pm Reply

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

November 23, 2017 at 9:29 am Reply

I love cranberry sauces with a twist and the addition of bourbon is definitely a good twist!!

veenaazmnaov

November 25, 2017 at 9:20 am Reply

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

November 25, 2017 at 9:22 am Reply

I love how thick this sauce is. Cranberry sauce with my roast turkey is by far my favorite part of the thanksgiving dinner.

Christine

November 26, 2017 at 5:00 pm Reply

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}

November 27, 2017 at 11:25 am Reply

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!