Perfect Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce Recipe for Holidays
A tangy, sweet, and smoky cranberry sauce made with maple syrup and bourbon, perfect for holiday dinners and gifting.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, finely grated
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse the cranberries well under cold water and discard any soft or discolored berries.
- In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, maple syrup, bourbon, orange juice, brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and salt.
- Turn the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and taste the sauce. Adjust sweetness with additional maple syrup or brown sugar if desired.
- Let the sauce cool slightly before transferring to a serving dish. It will thicken further as it cools.
- For a smoother texture, press the sauce through a fine mesh strainer or blend briefly with an immersion blender.
Notes
Simmer gently to avoid scorching. Adjust sweetness to taste. Make ahead for deeper flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 50
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
Keywords: cranberry sauce, holiday recipe, maple syrup, bourbon, Thanksgiving, Christmas, side dish