Festive Cranberry Sauce with Orange Liqueur

This vibrant Festive Cranberry Sauce with Orange Liqueur brings a refreshing citrus aroma, subtle sweetness, and a hint of warm spice to your holiday table. With bright orange zest and a generous splash of Cointreau, it’s a festive twist on the classic cranberry sauce that feels both traditional and elevated.

Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well.

I’m thrilled to share this Cranberry Sauce with Cointreau – a simple, elegant condiment that instantly upgrades any holiday meal. Whether you’re preparing Christmas dinner or a cozy Thanksgiving spread, this Holiday Cranberry Sauce pairs beautifully with roasted meats, cheese boards, or even desserts like cheesecake and trifle.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Liqueur Cranberry Sauce

• Festive: Bursting with the flavours of cranberry and orange, this sauce captures the essence of the holidays.
• Elegant: The addition of Cointreau gives the sauce a bright, aromatic touch that’s more refined than the usual cranberry recipes.
• Balanced: Tart cranberries, citrus juice, and gentle sweetness come together perfectly in this Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
• Spiced: Warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom create a cozy, seasonal flavour profile.
  Easy: This Christmas Cranberry Sauce takes less than 20 minutes to make and keeps beautifully for several days.

Orange Liqueur Cranberry Sauce: Flavour Profile

This Orange Liqueur Cranberry Sauce is smooth, glossy, and bursting with citrus fragrance. The cranberries provide bright tartness, while Cointreau lends a distinctive orange warmth and aroma. Honey and brown sugar balance the acidity, and the blend of spices creates a cozy, layered flavour that’s unmistakably festive. It’s vibrant yet mellow, making it the perfect accompaniment to both savoury and sweet dishes.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

• Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries form the base, giving the sauce its vibrant colour and tangy depth.
• Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed juice adds brightness and complements the tartness of the berries.
• Orange Zest: Brings bold citrus aroma and enhances the orange liqueur notes.
• Honey: Adds smooth sweetness and a subtle floral undertone that rounds out the tart flavours.
• Light Brown Sugar: Balances acidity and adds a caramel hint that deepens the sauce.
• Rosemary (optional): A small touch of fresh rosemary introduces an aromatic, savoury contrast.
• Cinnamon and Ginger: Warm, fragrant spices that define the flavour of a true Holiday Cranberry Sauce.
• Cardamom and Nutmeg: Add depth and warmth while enhancing the citrus and liqueur.
• Clove and Allspice (optional): Small pinches bring gentle festive spice for an extra layer of aroma.
• Cointreau (or other orange liqueur): The key ingredient that infuses this Orange Liqueur Cranberry Sauce with a sophisticated, citrusy finish.

Possible Additions and Variations

You can replace Cointreau with another orange liqueur such as Triple Sec or Grand Marnier. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute orange juice or orange extract. Add finely grated fresh ginger or a splash of cranberry juice for a bolder flavour. You can also stir in a spoonful of orange marmalade for extra sweetness or top the sauce with candied peel for a lovely presentation.

More Festive Holiday Sauce Recipes

Looking for more holiday cranberry sauce ideas? Be sure to check more:

• Festive Cranberry Orange Sauce with Brandy
• Cranberry Chestnut Relish (Christmas Relish)
• Cranberry Walnut Relish
• Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

I’d love for you to try this Festive Cranberry Sauce with Cointreau. If you give this Low Sugar Spiced Pumpkin Jam with Brandy a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!

Pin

Print

Festive Cranberry Sauce with Orange Liqueur

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Christmas, Festive Cheese and Appetizers, Condiments Sauces and Compound Butter

Servings

8-10

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Festive Cranberry Sauce with Orange Liqueur – bright, spiced, and citrusy holiday condiment with Cointreau.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 4 cups (about 400 g) fresh or frozen cranberries

• juice of one large orange (about 1/2 cup or 120 ml)

• 1 tsp. orange zest

• 1-2 tbsp. (20-40 g) honey

• 2-4 tbsp. (30-60 g) light brown (or golden) sugar

• 1/4 tsp. minced fresh rosemary (optional)

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and ginger each

• 1/4 tsp. cardamom and ground nutmeg each

• a little pinch of glove and allspice each (optional)

• 1/3 cup (80 ml) or a little more of Cointreau or other orange liquor (like Triple sec)

Directions

• In a medium pot (saucepan) combine the cranberries and orange juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
• Stir in the honey, sugar, orange zest, rosemary (if using), and spices (You can use all from the list or few as per your choice). Simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes, until thickened a bit and flavours well incorporated. That is also the stage when you should try and adjust the flavour by adding more of honey (or sugar), spices or orange zest.
• Add the Cointreau and simmer just for 30-40 seconds, stirring. Off heat and let it fully cool. Transfer the sauce to a container or jar and refrigerate for up to one week. Enjoy!

Notes

• For a non-alcoholic version substitute another 1/3 cup of orange juice for Cointreau.