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Home » Recipes » Recipes

Published: Nov 14, 2018 · Modified: Nov 7, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Spiced-Brandied Cranberry Sauce

Jump to Recipe

Cranberry sauce never tasted so good -- bursting with warm spices, lively fresh orange and rich dark brown sugar, this boozy brandied cranberry sauce makes for one show-stopping holiday side dish and adds an elegant touch to your holiday table. You'll never need another cranberry sauce recipe again.

A bowl of spiced-brandied cranberry sauce on a wooden platter with cranberries and spices around it.
Jump to:
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Expert Tips
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Looking for More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes?
  • 📖 Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

Is anyone else a huge "Friends" fan? Do you remember the Thanksgiving episode during the last season where Chandler offers to help Monica cook dinner, and she responds, "The cranberry sauce -- it's easy to make, and no one really cares about it." I always laugh, but at the same time, I think, "Awww, come on. That's not true."

Because I'll go ahead and brag: My spiced-brandied cranberry sauce is awesome, and it's a must-have for your Thanksgiving table.

In fact, I've been making this spiced-brandied cranberry sauce for years, and it's always met with rave reviews. Friends and family who have tasted it have told me it's the best cranberry sauce they've ever tried. Some have even told me that they don't normally like cranberry sauce but love this recipe.

See? Everything about this spiced-brandied cranberry sauce is delicious. No disrespect to Monica, but it’s time to start giving cranberry sauce more love.

Ingredients

The brandy cranberry sauce ingredients with labels on a wooden board.

Spices: For this spiced-brandied cranberry sauce, we use a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Cranberries are tart little numbers, so adding some spice adds a nice complexity and warmth.

Dark brown sugar: Some cranberry sauce recipes only use white sugar, which adds sweetness but no additional flavor. Brown sugar, however, gives a beautiful richness with its molasses, so we use both. While you can use light brown sugar, I prefer the dark brown variety because the molasses is even more prominent.

Orange juice and fresh orange zest: Orange and cranberries are a classic flavor combination, and you’ll love the pop of brightness it adds. Feel free to use a pulp or no-pulp orange juice. I’ve used both and haven’t noticed a difference in the final product.

Brandy: Of course, we can’t forget the brandy because cooking with alcohol is always more fun and delicious. I typically grab E&J brandy, which is widely available. That said, feel free to use brandy from your favorite local distillery or even a flavored brandy. An apple brandy, for instance, would be a lovely addition for extra fall flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

As if being delicious weren’t enough, this spiced-brandied cranberry sauce is also ridiculously simple to make. So let's get to it, shall we?

Step 1: To start, we add orange juice, dark brown sugar, white sugar and a mix of warm holiday spices to medium saucepan (photo 1), boil, reduce the heat and then give it a couple minutes to simmer (photo 2).

Cooking the orange juice and spices in a medium saucepan and bringing to a boil.

Step 2: From here, we add a bag of fresh cranberries (photo 3) and let them boil until they break down (photo 4).

A collage showing the process of cooking the cranberries until they break down.

Step 3: Once the cranberries thicken to a gel-like consistency, we turn off the heat and stir in orange zest, lemon juice and a punch of brandy (photo 5).

Stirring in the orange zest and brandy after cooking.

And that's it! You now have the most delicious cranberry sauce that’s perfect for Thanksgiving dinner through Christmas and New Year’s. Serve it with my smoked turkey thighs or maple-braised turkey legs and bourbon-pumpkin ice cream for dessert, and you're in for a real treat.

A bowl of boozy cranberry sauce with lights around it.

Recipe FAQs

Can you make cranberry sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely. Homemade cranberry sauce should keep for 10-14 days as long as it’s stored properly. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and you’re good to go.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

You sure can. Once cranberries start hitting the stores, I usually pick up a bag or two and throw it in the freezer, so I always have some on hand. When you’re ready to make the sauce, just dump the bag in the saucepan — no need to thaw.

When are fresh cranberries available?

Fresh cranberries are typically available from October through January. Cranberry season is short, so let’s take advantage and make as many festive recipes as possible!

How do you use leftover cranberry sauce?

Oh, so many ways! Cranberry and Brie go well together, so there are lots of recipes combining the two. I especially love these holiday pretzel bites stuffed with cranberry and Brie. You could also slather it on a round of Brie and bake or use in a Brie grilled cheese with some leftover turkey.

Beyond the Brie combination, you could swirl it in a cheesecake, add to your morning yogurt parfait, top on some waffles or spoon over ice cream. Oh, and let's not forget drinks — try it in this leftover cranberry sauce cocktail.

You have some many options, so feel free to get creative!

Expert Tips

  • Once the cranberries start simmering, they turn to a rapid boil quickly. If you don’t keep an eye on it, the mixture could boil over, so make sure you pay attention.
  • To grate the fresh orange zest, I prefer to use a microplane grater rather than a citrus zester. It’s quicker, more efficient, creates a finer peel and extracts more delicious citrus oil.
  • You can either serve this super easy cranberry sauce recipe warm or chilled. I like it both ways, but for Thanksgiving dinner, I prefer it warm. For a warm cranberry sauce, you can obviously serve it right away, or you can gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. But cold is traditionally, so that's just as delicious.

Perfect Pairing

Rather than give pairings for this specific brandy cranberry sauce, let me offer you options that work well with an entire Thanksgiving meal.

If you're reaching for a beer, I recommend a bière de garde, which is a French-style farmhouse ale. Bière de garde pairs beautifully with roasted meat and savory herbs, so it's a great match with everything on your Thanksgiving plate. Plus, bière de garde is bold enough to stand up to each dish with plenty of carbonation to cleanse your palate between bites.

However, if you feel like a glass of wine, I love a pinot noir with Thanksgiving dinner. Pinot noir is on the fruity side, which naturally matches the brandy cranberry sauce while offering contrast to the more savory dishes. I also love that pinot noir boasts plenty of acidity to help cut through all those hefty sides and turkey.

Or maybe you prefer a cocktail. My best Thanksgiving cocktails and Christmas cocktails are full of seasonal options. Some of my favorites include a chai-cranberry bourbon smash and cranberry bourbon sour.

With the holidays upon us, I hope you add this spiced-brandied cranberry sauce to your dinner table. I promise this recipe will be your new favorite cranberry sauce.

Cheers!

The brandy cranberry sauce in a white bowl with twinkle lights in the background.

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If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

A bowl of brandy cranberry sauce on a wooden platter with twinkle lights behind it.

Spiced-Brandied Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce never tasted so good. Bursting with warm spices, lively orange and rich dark brown sugar, this boozy brandied cranberry sauce makes for one show-stopping holiday side dish and adds an elegant touch to your holiday table. You'll never need another cranberry sauce recipe again.
5 from 187 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sides
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 225kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Microplane grater

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag of fresh cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Zest from an orange

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add orange juice, sugars and spices and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat so that the mixture simmers for a couple minutes.
  • Bring heat back up to medium-high and add cranberries. Boil the cranberries until they pop and the mixture thickens to a gel-like, jammy consistency. If the mixture starts to boil too much, turn the heat down to medium. Stir occasionally. 
  • Remove from heat and stir in brandy, lemon juice and orange zest. You can serve it warm or cold. Enjoy! 

Notes

  • You can make 10-14 days ahead of serving time as long as you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Feel free to use frozen cranberries. No need to thaw -- add them straight to the saucepan frozen.
  • Once the cranberries start simmering, they turn to a rapid boil quickly. If you don’t keep an eye on it, the mixture could boil over, so make sure you pay attention.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

Google Web Story: Boozy Cranberry Sauce

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Comments

    5 from 187 votes (167 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kim says

    November 25, 2023 at 11:57 am

    Can this be frozen?

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      November 25, 2023 at 12:11 pm

      Hi, Kim! I haven’t personally kept this sauce in the freezer, but I did some quick research, and it looks like it should keep in the freezer for up to three months.

      Reply
  2. Yolanda says

    November 24, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful! We made it for Thanksgiving last year and it was such a hit I'm making it again this year.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      November 24, 2022 at 3:36 pm

      That’s so lovely to hear! Thank you and I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  3. Colleen says

    November 23, 2022 at 3:23 pm

    Great recipe, very delicious. Wonderful twist on cranberry sauce, kicks it up a notch or two. I cut down on the amount of sugar because I find it a bit sweet and also add a drop or two of pure vanilla extract.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      November 23, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      Thank you, Colleen! The vanilla addition sounds fabulous.

      Reply
  4. Natalie says

    November 22, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe. So easy and delicious. Can't wait to try it with Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      November 22, 2022 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you so much, Natalie! I have some in my refrigerator right now as well waiting for Thursday. Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  5. Ann says

    November 24, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    Loved this so much!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      November 24, 2021 at 3:56 pm

      Thank you so much, Ann! Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  6. Jess says

    November 09, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    5 stars
    Never buying store-bought again!

    Reply
  7. Farah Abumaizar says

    November 09, 2021 at 10:50 pm

    5 stars
    What a gorgeous photo! With those twinkle lights in the background, this is so festive and lovely. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      November 10, 2021 at 6:30 am

      And thank you for the kind words!

      Reply
  8. Jessie says

    November 09, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    5 stars
    Great idea for cranberry sauce! The brandy adds such a nice flavor, and the fresh orange and spices make it extra delicious.

    Reply
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A headshot of Amanda, the owner of Burrata and Bubbles, holding a beer.

Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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