Description
This Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce brings a delightful twist to the classic holiday side dish with the vibrant flavors of fresh orange juice, zesty orange peel, and a splash of smooth bourbon. Sweetened with a balanced mix of white and brown sugar, this sauce offers a perfect tangy-sweet complement to roasted turkey or ham. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it can be made ahead and served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 (12 oz.) packages of fresh cranberries
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 1/3 cups brown sugar
- 3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 3/4 cup water
- Zest of one orange, plus extra for garnish
- 1–3 tablespoons bourbon (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the cranberries, white sugar, brown sugar, fresh orange juice, water, orange zest, and bourbon into a medium saucepan.
- Cook the Sauce: Cook the mixture on medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has reduced and the cranberries have mostly burst.
- Rest the Sauce: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce rest for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the cranberry sauce garnished with extra orange zest. You can also cover and refrigerate it for up to 1 week, reheating before serving if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the bourbon quantity based on your preference for alcohol flavor—start with 1 tablespoon and add up to 3 tablespoons for more intensity.
- This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated; simply rewarm gently before serving.
- For a less sweet option, reduce the sugar amounts slightly.
- Use fresh cranberries for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry sauce, bourbon cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, orange cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, stovetop cranberry sauce
