Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 26 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (1)

This fresh cranberry sauce, with port wine and cloves, adds a grown-up touch to your Thanksgiving feast.

Let the Thanksgiving planning begin! Last week I kicked off the holiday cooking with Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Blue Cheese Breadcrumbs. But as we all know, the sweet potatoes are just the tip of the iceberg. There's the roasted turkey (and how to carve it), the gravy, the mashed potatoes, the green beans, the stuffing and the pumpkin cheesecake. And none of this is complete without a fantastic fresh cranberry sauce.

Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (2)

If I'm making a cranberry sauce for the whole family, then will be on the menu. The kids eat it by the spoonful...no kidding. However, if I also want a side of something boozy, then this recipe fits the bill. The fresh cranberries are simmered in port wine and cloves, and slightly sweetened with brown sugar.

Boozy sauce = happy turkey.

The recipe:
In a medium saucepan, combine the port wine, water and cloves. Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the cloves and discard them.

Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (3)

Stir in the cranberries and brown sugar, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (4)

Printable Recipe

Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (5)

Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Port Wine & Cloves

This fresh cranberry sauce, with port wine and cloves, adds a grown-up touch to your Thanksgiving feast.

4.78 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Gluten Free, Holdiay Recipes

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 Servings (2 Cups Total)

Calories: 54kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup port wine
  • ½ cup water
  • 12 whole cloves
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the port wine, water and cloves. Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

  • Reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the cloves and discard them.

  • Stir in the cranberries and brown sugar, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  • Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

  • Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Notes

Make-ahead: Transfer the cranberry sauce to a freezer-proof container, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Other recipes with fresh cranberries:

Turkey Cranberry Wrap Sandwich
Glazed Cranberry Quick Bread with Crystallized Ginger

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

More Christmas Recipes

  • Caprese Christmas Tree
  • Maple Pear and Goat Cheese Salad
  • Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Sophia

    Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (11)
    Coming from a non Turkey non cranberry summer in the sun country (NZ) to Ireland I just love your boozy cranberry sauce and am making a double recipe for the third year in a row! As plenty of it is destined for pre Christmas presents!
    Cranberry sauce is always the best part of the Christmas meal for me!
    I have added a stick of cinnamon and 2star of nice to the mix and this year a squeeze of lime juice!
    Thank you for your lovely recipe! Wishing you an enjoyable Christmas

    Reply

  2. Lianne

    Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (12)
    YUM! Just made this (it's not even cool yet) and it's delicious. I couldn't find white port, so I used ruby which gives it a gorgeous purple color. The port and brown sugar add wonderful depth of flavor. I may top it with a little orange zest for serving. Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply

  3. Sarah

    Hi~ found you on Pinterest and am making this for Thanksgiving...it looks delicious! On the recipe card it says "Cranberry sauce with port wine and cinnamon"-- am I missing some ingredient (I don't see cinnamon on the list) or is it just a typo and is meant to say "cloves"?

    Reply

    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck)

      Ack! Thank you for bringing that to my attention. It should read "cloves", not cinnamon. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  4. foodwanderings

    Ooh Miss Dara this boozy cranberry sauce would definitely jazz up the holiday. I might give it a try next week for a change! 🙂

    Reply

« Older Comments

Cookin' Canuck - Boozy Cranberry Sauce Recipe w/ Port Wine & Cloves (2024)

FAQs

How to jazz up jellied cranberry sauce? ›

Top with dried or fresh fruits

Sure, you can go all meta with some dried cranberries or sliced fresh raw cranberries, but I also like to think about complementary flavors — dried cherries, dried mulberries, golden raisins, chopped apricots. All work great with cranberry sauce.

How do you spice up Ocean Spray cranberry sauce? ›

Stir-in one (or more) of the following add-ins to one can of whole or jellied cranberry sauce:
  1. 2 Tbsp. of orange juice plus 1 tsp. of finely grated orange peel.
  2. ½ can of mandarin oranges.
  3. ½ cup pineapple.
  4. ½ tsp. cinnamon.
  5. ½ cup chopped dried apricots.
  6. ½ cup toasted pecans.
  7. 2 Tbsp. Zinfandel Wine.
Aug 11, 2022

What can I do with a jar of cranberry sauce? ›

Mix with cream cheese for a tasty topping on crackers and bagels! Dollop a spoonful on baked sweet potato in place of butter. Top off your yoghurt with a spoonful for extra fruity flavour! Swirl it into your cake batter for delicious marbled muffins.

How do you eat jellied cranberry sauce? ›

The traditional way to serve canned cranberry sauce is to slice the cylinder into rounds and arrange them on a platter. Go a step further by adding a garnish like sugared rosemary or candied ginger. Or, cook the canned sauce with orange juice and zest for a citrusy take on a holiday standby.

What is the difference between cranberry sauce and jellied cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid.

Is canned jellied cranberry sauce good for you? ›

Health Benefits

Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. And yes, you reap all these benefits whether the cranberry sauce on your holiday table is homemade or canned, jellied or whole-berry.

How long does Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce last? ›

Prior to opening, cranberry sauce can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you prefer it chilled. After opening, remove from the can and store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

What thickens cranberry sauce? ›

Jelling. Homemade cranberry sauce is meant to thicken, or “jell,” while cooking. If it stays soupy, that could mean a couple of things. One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe.

How do you make Ocean Spray cranberry juice taste better? ›

Originally Answered: How can I make cranberry juice taste better? Personally, I recommend doing what Ocean Spray does, and mixing in other juices. Grape and apple seem to work well. For a little kick, add Sprite or Sierra Mist instead.

How do you upgrade canned cranberry sauce? ›

4- You can enhance the canned cranberries by incorporating fresh fruits or berries. Chopped apples, pears, or even diced pineapple can add a fresh and fruity dimension to the sauce. Mix them in while heating the cranberries for added flavor. 5- Fresh herbs can provide a unique twist to cranberry sauce.

How long does a jar of cranberry sauce last once opened? ›

When to Toss Cranberry Sauce. Cranberry sauce will last for two hours at room temperature. Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

Why is cranberry sauce so expensive? ›

But that's not the case for prepared cranberry sauces, where prices are up. Lochner pointed out that processors set those prices, not growers, and that there are higher input costs unrelated to berries — like “processing the fruit and getting it to market.” Ocean Spray isn't immune either.

Should jellied cranberry sauce be refrigerated? ›

According to Ocean Spray, the brand behind one of the most popular canned cranberry sauces, both their jellied and whole berry varieties are fine to store in either the pantry or fridge (if you prefer to serve chilled) prior to opening.

How to spice up canned cranberry jelly? ›

Arrange store-bought strips of candied ginger atop sliced jellied cranberry sauce. The ginger adds a spicy sweetness and a little bite to the sauce's texture.

How do you fix bland cranberry sauce? ›

Maple syrup, brown sugar and even honey can make your cranberry sauce more dynamic. And don't forget the spices! Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, citrus zest and star anise all work well with cranberries and can be added while the sauce cooks to infuse your sauce with flavor.

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6279

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.