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.
Sara
I have never made cranberry sauce before. Honestly, I don’t think I have ever even tried the stuff in a can before. But, I love cranberry juice, so I have a feeling I would love it! I am going to give your recipe a go!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I hope you enjoy this homemade cranberry sauce as much as we do.
Ramona
This cranberry sauce looks super delicious and I definitely will be trying this! I love how you added bourbon to it as well, adds beautiful flavor. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome….have a wonderful holiday season.
Farrukh Aziz
This cranberry sauce is one of the best I have tried, and its easy to make too! Thanks! 🙂
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I have to agree with you. This cranberry sauce is so delicious and super easy to make. Happy Holidays.
Alex
I never thought to use it on brie and crackers! That sounds amazing. As do the flavors in this sauce!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Oh yes, this homemade cranberry sauce can be enjoyed in so many delicious ways.
Erin
Bourbon and maple syrup?! Yes, please! So much more interesting than the usual cranberries + just sugar. I’ve definitely got to try this!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This bourbon and maple cranberry sauce is a huge hit for the holidays. ENJOY!
Leslie
Everyone needs a good cranberry sauce staple and this is that recipe! Such a delicious addition to any holiday recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, and you can’t buy cranberry sauce like this in a can. ENJOY!
Lydia
I absolutely love how ridiculously easy this sauce is! It was perfect for Thanksgiving.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Right??? I have it ready and waiting in the freezer for Christmas.
Toni
This is really a fantastic recipe! It was a huge hit at my house!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This cranberry sauce is always a hit on the holiday dinner table.
Natalie
Fantastic sauce Gloria. Sounds super delicious. I always buy cranberry sauce in the store. Maybe this year I’ll just cook one at home following your recipe. I love added bourbon.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I promise once you try this homemade cranberry sauce you will be hooked and never buy canned again.
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing cranberry sauce recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
WE have been enjoying this cranberry sauce for decades on our holiday dinner table.
Priya Maha
The sauce turned out really great, I can even eat it on its own! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, a few spoonfuls of cranberry sauce is a great snack.
Andréa Janssen
Who isn’t in need of a great homemade cranberry sauce for the holidays. This cranberry sauce looks so delicious and I love the addition of bourbon and maple syrup.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love this homemade cranberry sauce recipe.
Kayla DiMaggio
This cranberry sauce is so delicious and so easy! I can’t wait to make this again!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY….I have mine waiting in the freezer!!
Toni
This was so good!! A sure hit at our Thanksgiving dinner!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love this boozy cranberry sauce with all the holiday dinners.
Amanda Dixon
Such an easy and delicious cranberry sauce recipe! The bourbon really makes it something special.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, the bourbon in this cranberry sauce is epic.