Ultimate Cranberry Sauce with the flavours of bourbon and maple syrup is sure to be a hit on your holiday table.
In under 15 minutes, with 5 ingredients, you can create fresh cranberry sauce. Once you try this, you will never buy canned again!
I love adding bourbon to recipes. Have you tried my Boozy Bourbon Fudge? A must on the holiday treat tray.
Caramelized Onion Jam also contains the pairing of bourbon and maple. The ultimate topping for burgers and more.
We all need some easy, stress-free recipes for the holidays. I have the perfect gravy recipe, easy roasted squash slices, and now this cranberry recipe too.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this gourmet cranberry sauce can be found at the bottom of this post.
This Cranberry Recipe Needs:
- Whole Cranberries
- Water
- Bourbon
- Sugar
- Maple Syrup
You will be amazed at how easy this whole cranberry recipe comes together. This is the perfect dish to take to a holiday potluck. It makes a great food gift.
It doesn’t only have to be eaten with turkey.
- Enjoy it with some brie and crackers.
- Add it to a sandwich.
- Use it to make muffins.
- Perfect on pancakes and waffles.
- Add it to your yogurt.
- Top your bagels, toast or scones.
Making The Ultimate Cranberry Sauce
This recipe comes together quickly. It can be made well in advance too.
Be sure to check the recipe card for the full instructions.
- Wash your whole berries and drain them in a sieve.
- Place all the ingredients (except the berries) in a pot.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add the cranberries, and simmer.
- When cooked, mash slightly.
The sauce is done! Cool and place in the fridge until ready to use.
Recipe Tips/Suggestions
Whole Cranberries are used in this recipe. They can be fresh or frozen. I always have bags of cranberries in the freezer.
Bourbon can be swapped out with rum, vodka, brandy, red wine or Grand Marnier.
Orange Juice is a great replacement to make this recipe without alcohol.
Sugar is easy to control, you can choose to use more or less. I do love a tart cranberry sauce.
Maple Syrup can be replaced with honey or agave nectar.
Do not overcook, as the sugar will start to caramelize and possibly burn. Once the berries start to burst, remove the pot from the heat.
FAQ
Yes, it sure does. Place it in a sealed container or freezer bag. It will last for several months. Note, the store-bought canned sauce does not freeze well.
Thaw in the fridge or defrost in the microwave.
This will last for 10-14 days in the fridge. There are lots of delicious ways to use the leftovers.
I promise, once you make cranberry sauce from scratch, you will be hooked. I have been making this for many years, and it is a holiday hit every year. With all the variations, you can make it just the way you like. ENJOY!
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More Holiday Recipes
Just in case you are in need of a few more recipes, here are a few suggestions:
- Red Lentil Tourtiere is a meatless verison of the French Canadian classic recipe.
- Turkey Veronique Meat Pie is pefect for brunch or a small holiday gathering.
- Turkey Wraps are the pefect place for leftover turkey and cranberry sauce.
- Christmas Morning Sandwiches have been a tradition in our house for decades.
- Holiday Granola is pefect as a food gift, especially stocking stuffers.
- Herb Roasted Turkey is presentation perfect.
- Holiday Croissants are great for brunch, or paired with a Rum and Eggnog Latte.
Ultimate Boozy Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries 1 bag, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries.
- Place all ingredients (except cranberries) into a pot.
- Bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes making sure sugar dissolves.
- Add cranberries and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer till berries start to burst.
- Remove from heat.
- Press slightly with a potato masher or fork.
- Place in bowl, cool and place in fridge till ready to use.
Tavo
I am always on the look for new cranberry sauce recipes! This one with bourbon definitely picked my attention!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy this homemade cranberry sauce as much as we do.
Michelle
Love the addition of the bourbon in this cranberry sauce! Will be making this again!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. So glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Dana Sandonato
Something about the bourbon and maple syrup just make this sauce extra cozy! Absolutely love it.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love this cranberry sauce with bourbon too.
Marisa Franca
I do love a good homemade cranberry sauce. I’m always looking for new recipes that will give me the taste and texture that I crave. Now, that touch of bourbon will certainly kick it up a notch. I’ll be saving this recipe to make during the upcoming holidays.
Homemade & Yummy
I have never bought cranberry sauce again….this is our holiday tradition.
Veena Azmanov
I love a good cranberry sauce.. My mom use to make a good one., I still have her recipe but never made one.. I must try yours the next time.
Homemade & Yummy
I make this for the holidays every year.
Howie Fox
Oh dear!! It’s THAT easy to make such a delicious sauce?? I didn’t know!! 😀
Chef G
Yes it is really easy….and really good.
Ange
I love this and am saving to make for our Christmas table!
Chef G
Oh so glad you are going to try it…you will LOVE IT!!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender
You had me at Bourbon…. and then at Maple Syrup!! My husband would LOVE this cranberry sauce! Homemade cranberry sauce is SO MUCH more better than store bought too, and the Maple syrup would make it even better!
Chef G
We really love this one…I’m sure you will too!!
Lisa
Love cranberry sauce and this sounds and looks yummy. Pinned
Chef G
Thanks so much..it is so easy and so good!!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat
Great cranberry sauce recipe! The addition of bourbon and maple syrup sounds amazing!
Chef G
It really is awesome…we love it!!
Kristy @ She Eats
Gloria! You are brilliant! I’d have never thought to use cranberry sauce as an appetizer. And with maple syrup?? AND bourbon?? I’m keeping you. hahaha 😉 Looks fabulous darling!
Chef G
Hahaha…you are a sweetie!! It is awesome as an app….I use it this way all the time!! Bourbon is awesome in this!!
Renee @ Renee Nicole's Kitchen
It’s amazing how much better 4 simple ingredients taste compared to something from a can. I like to add a little orange zest to mine.
Chef G
Yes orange zest is great too….and simple ingredients make wonderful things!!
Molly Kumar
The cranberry sauce looks super delicious and easy to make. Just in time for the holidays – thanks for sharing the recipe.
Chef G
Thanks Molly…we love this sauce!!
Jared Kovacs (thehesitantchef)
I love simple recipes! This looks delicious! It takes everything that is good and right about fall and puts it into a bowl. Nice work!
Chef G
Thanks Jared….it really is an awesome sauce and we use it in so many ways…in fact I am having some right now in my yogurt for lunch!!
Brie@toasterovenlove
What a fantastic simple recipe! I had the same experience the first time I made my own cranberry sauce, I couldn’t believe how much better homemade tastes. Thanks for the idea of using maple syrup, can’t wait to try it, fingers crossed it makes onto an appetizer before I just eat the whole bowl 😉
Chef G
I know it is SOOOOOO much better…and so easy to do. Hope you enjoy it….it totally devour it too!!