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Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

Orange bourbon cranberry sauce simmers fresh cranberries with orange juice and sugar until most berries burst into a syrupy sauce. Orange zest and bourbon stirred in off the heat add a bright citrus aroma and a warm finish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Cooling time 30 minutes
Total Time 49 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 130
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 0.5 cup orange juice
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.125 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 bag (12 oz) fresh cranberries picked over and rinsed
  • 1 tsp orange zest finely grated
  • 2 tbsp bourbon

Equipment

  • 1 2-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine the orange juice, water, sugar, and salt, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  3. Add the cranberries and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the berries have burst and the sauce looks syrupy.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the orange zest and bourbon.
  5. Let the sauce cool for 30 minutes; it will thicken as it cools.

Notes

For the best texture, stop simmering when most berries have burst and the sauce looks syrupy; it thickens as it cools. Refrigerate covered for up to 5 days. Freezer-friendly; freeze for up to 2 months.