Make this easy Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier Recipe to jazz up your repertoire of Thanksgiving Recipes! With just 5 ingredients and a pot on the stove, you can make this flavorful side dish in just over 15 minutes. Give it the ultimate sweet and tangy flavor with a splash of orange liqueur, fresh orange zest, and a hint of cinnamon.
Ideal for making ahead, this holiday classic ensures you're ready to impress with minimal last-minute effort. Plus we share our tips for achieving the perfect texture every time and freshening up your boozy cranberries so they're ready to serve when you are.
We also love making all things berry this time of year, like this Cranberry Rice Recipe or this Cranberry Lemonade Recipe. But most important to the holiday season is a beautiful bowl of cranberries... the Thanksgiving table isn't complete without them!
This year, level up the standard side dish with a boozy twist and fresh citrus! It's so much better than the canned stuff, I promise.
Skip to:
- What is Grand Marnier?
- Ingredients for cranberry sauce with alcohol
- Helpful tools
- How to make cranberry sauce with Grand Marnier
- Storage and make ahead instructions
- What to serve with boozy cranberries?
- What should I do with leftover cranberries with orange liqueur?
- FAQ
- Tips and tricks
- More Turkey Day recipes
- Recipe
- Comments
What is Grand Marnier?
Most simply put, Grand Marnier is a French brand of orange flavored liqueur. It is commonly substituted with Cointreau or Triple Sec, which are other citrus flavored liquors. It is one of my favorite additions both for cocktails and recipes like this sauce because it adds subtle but distinct flavor.
Ingredients for cranberry sauce with alcohol
This recipe only requires a few ingredients, but be sure to read these important tips before making the recipe.
- Sugar: Just regular granulated sugar. You can decrease the sugar a bit if you prefer, but if you alter it much it does change the final texture.
- Orange zest and juice: I really prefer the flavor of freshly squeezed juice, but you can use store bought too. I suggest using a Microplane for the zest (this is my favorite brand).
- Fresh cranberries: We have tested this recipe with fresh and frozen cranberries, but frozen do not turn out well. Fresh is recommended! Do not use dried.
- Cinnamon stick: This is optional, but it adds a nice layer of flavor.
- Grand Marnier: A little goes a long way! The flavor won't be exactly the same, but you can also substitute with Triple Sec.
Helpful tools
How to make cranberry sauce with Grand Marnier
This recipe does not require a lot of expertise or experience to get right. My biggest tip is to read through the recipe card first before starting so that you know what to expect.
Start by dissolving the sugar, water, orange zest, and fresh orange juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. You want to stir it often with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
Next, add the cranberries and cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then turn it down to medium. Cook at a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries are popped.
When there is about 1 minute of cooking time left, add the Grand Marnier and stir well. Continue cooking for 1 minute, then remove the sauce from the heat and cool.
Hint: If you add the orange liqueur too soon, most of the flavor will cook dissipate. Stick to one minute of cooking to allow the alcohol content to cook off, but the flavor to remain.
Storage and make ahead instructions
Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. This recipe is perfect to make ahead because you have to chill it completely in the fridge before serving.
What to serve with boozy cranberries?
This sauce is the perfect addition to classic Thanksgiving dinner sides. These are some of my favorite pairings for my holiday table.
What should I do with leftover cranberries with orange liqueur?
- Leftover turkey sandwich layered with cranberry sauce and stuffing.
- Add a spoonful to plain Greek yogurt to add some sweetness and flavor.
- Add it to your next grilled cheese sandwich!
- Serve it on top of pancakes and waffles for breakfast.
- Add a bit to your next cocktail for pretty color and flavor.
- Spread it on croissants, bagels, or toast for breakfast.
- Add them to these Cranberry Brie Bites
FAQ
Make sure to cook the sauce until almost all of the cranberries are popped and the juices are slightly thickened. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
It is important to allow the cranberries to cool in order for the sauce to thicken before serving. You can serve them cold straight from the fridge, or allow them to sit on the counter for about an hour to remove some of the chill first.
You can substitute the orange juice with water or cranberry juice, but it will definitely change the final flavor.
Yes, you can freeze the sauce in a tightly sealed, airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw completely at room temperature, then stir well before serving.
Tips and tricks
- Don't skimp on the sugar. Not only does it add sweetness, but it affects the final texture of the sauce.
- For the perfect texture, cook it long enough to let most of the berries pop, but not longer or else it becomes too thick.
- Keep in mind that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
More Turkey Day recipes
Looking for more recipes to serve at Thanksgiving? Try these:
- How to Make Ham in a Roaster
- Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Pull Apart Bread (with frozen dough)
- Maple Pecan Pie Recipe (no corn syrup)
- Simple Strawberry Cheesecake (no water bath)
Recipe
Quick & Easy Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ cup orange juice fresh or store bought; 2-3 oranges juiced
- 12 oz fresh cranberries *see note
- 3 inches cinnamon stick optional
- 2 tablespoon Grand Marnier
Instructions
- Dissolve the sugar, water, orange zest, and orange juice in a medium pot over medium heat.1 cup sugar, ½ cup water, Zest of 1 orange, ½ cup orange juice
- Once dissolved, add the cranberries and cinnamon stick, if using. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn to medium and continue cooking at a soft boil until the cranberries are popped, anywhere between 10-12 minutes (see note if using frozen cranberries).12 oz fresh cranberries, 3 inches cinnamon stick
- In the last minute of cooking, add the Grand Marnier. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Cool completely in the fridge before serving.2 tablespoon Grand Marnier
Notes
- Don't skimp on the sugar. Not only does it add sweetness, but it affects the final texture of the sauce.
- For the perfect texture, cook it long enough to let most of the berries pop, but not longer or else it becomes too thick.
- Keep in mind that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Mlm says
My favorite way to make cranberry sauce a little different and special!