Go Back
Honey bourbon cranberry sauce in a glass bowl showcases a festive holiday side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Boozy Holiday Cranberry Sauce

This Honey Bourbon Cranberry Sauce is the perfect addition to your holiday table. It's sweet, tart, and boozy, and it's incredibly easy to make. This recipe is perfect for making ahead and will impress your guests.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 orange zest
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • Pinch of salt

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Orange zester
  • Grater
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • spoon or spatula
  • Airtight container

Method
 

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, bourbon, honey, water, orange juice, brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and salt.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
  5. Let the cranberry sauce cool completely. As it cools, it will thicken even more.
  6. Transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

For a less sweet cranberry sauce, reduce the amount of honey or brown sugar. You can substitute the bourbon with other liquors, such as rum or brandy. The cranberry sauce can be served warm, cold, or at room temperature. It's a perfect make-ahead dish, as the flavors meld and deepen even more after a day or two in the fridge. If the sauce is too thin after simmering, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water).