Description
A rich and flavorful Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce that combines tart cranberries with the warm sweetness of maple syrup, the depth of bourbon, and aromatic spices. Perfect for holiday meals or as a vibrant accompaniment to poultry dishes.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup apple cider (or orange juice or water)
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cranberries, apple cider, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, orange zest, and a pinch of sea salt to a saucepan.
- Bring to Boil and Cook: Bring the mixture to a full boil over medium heat. Once boiling, mash the cranberries using a fork and reduce to a gentle boil. Stir frequently as you cook until the sauce thickens and the cranberries lose much of their original shape. This process usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
- Add Bourbon and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the bourbon and pure vanilla extract. (If you prefer the bourbon flavor without the alcohol, add the bourbon earlier during cooking to allow the alcohol to evaporate.)
- Cool and Store: Transfer the sauce to a storage container and refrigerate until ready to serve. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability; both work well.
- You can substitute apple cider with orange juice or water if desired.
- For a completely alcohol-free version, omit the bourbon or add it while cooking to simmer off alcohol content.
- Adjust sweetness by varying maple syrup quantity to taste.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
