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Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

Orange bourbon cranberry sauce made by simmering fresh cranberries until they burst, then chilling for a thick, spoonable texture. Bright orange juice and zest pair with bourbon depth for a classic American holiday-style side.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 245
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.75 cup orange juice
  • 0.25 cup bourbon, divided
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 0.1 salt pinch

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Cook the cranberry mixture
  1. Combine the brown sugar, orange juice, 2 tablespoons bourbon, cinnamon stick, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks glossy.
  2. Add the fresh cranberries and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the sauce thickens enough to coat a spoon.
Finish and chill
  1. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the remaining bourbon and the orange zest until evenly combined and fragrant.
  2. Discard the cinnamon stick. Taste and adjust texture by stirring for 15 seconds to smooth any thickened bits.
  3. Cool the sauce to room temperature, then chill before serving. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until set and spoonable.

Notes

For the best texture, let the sauce cool fully before chilling so it thickens without turning grainy. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days; freeze up to 1 month in an airtight container and thaw overnight in the fridge. Dietary swap: replace bourbon with additional orange juice (or nonalcoholic bourbon) if you want an alcohol-free version while keeping the same orange flavor.