This post contains affiliate links.
This post contains affiliate links.
Fresh cranberries, sugar, wine and brandy turn into this delicious homemade cranberry liqueur. Perfect for holiday gifts or to make Cranberry Kir Royals and other holiday cocktails.
Homemade Cranberry Cordial
The holidays are upon us, gatherings, parties and guests are are on the calendar. We have been preparing the pantry and the liquor cabinet for drop in guests and the holiday party and gatherings that we are hosting. Last week I made our yearly batch of homemade cranberry cordial. This cranberry cordial is perfect for Thanksgiving, holiday parties, Christmas brunch, not to mention giving as a hostess gift or in a gift basket.
The good news is that the cordial is easy to make using only a handful of ingredients and tastes delicious on its own or mixed in a cocktail. We have it on the Thanksgiving menu, as well as, Christmas brunch. I will be serving it with champagne, like a Kir Royale.
There are several of bottles liqueur set aside for gifts. We add them to food gift baskets, for those people in our life who “have everything” but love homemade treats. The baskets will include cookies, candy, bread and spicy nuts too.
Ingredients for Cranberry Cordial
- Inexpensive wine, Merlot or Shiraz. You will be cooking this so do not use an expensive wine. At the same time do not use cooking wine.
- Granulated white sugar
- Fresh cranberries, not dried.
- Brandy
How to Make Homemade Cranberry Cordial
Cranberry cordial is easy to make but it does need to be made ahead. You need at least 5 days so if you want to serve it at Thanksgiving start a batch soon.
In a large non-reactive pot bring wine, sugar and cranberries to a simmer. Cook until the cranberries start to pop. Then turn off the stove, remove from heat and let the cranberries cool in the pan.
After the cranberries cool to room temperature, pour the cranberry wine mixture into a pitcher, let steep for 2-4 days.
After 2-4 days, strain the mixture in a fine mesh sieve and stir in the brandy. Pour cranberry liqueur into decorative bottles to share, to add to your gift baskets or to keep to enjoy.
How long does homemade cranberry cordial last?
This cordial will last for 6 months.
How to you store homemade cordial?
This cranberry cordial can be stored at room temperature but you can also store it in the refrigerator.
What to do with wine infused cranberries?
Here are some uses for wine infused berries.
- chutney, add the berries to your chutney recipe.
- Serve berries over ice cream(not for children).
- Make boozy sorbet.
- Boozy cranberry milkshakes.
- Use in homemade chocolate candy.
- Serve over oatmeal.
- Serve over waffles and pancakes.
- DO NOT SERVE TO CHILDREN.
Do you make any homemade food gifts, cordials or liqueur?
Do you like to receive homemade gifts? If you have a favorite recipe please share.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
I hope that you enjoyed our Holiday Gift Guide for Women.
Don’t forget to share your favorite gift to give or receive in the comments.
Have a great day friends. Thank you for spending part of it with me.
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Homemade Cranberry Liqueur
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: About 3 Quarts 1x
Ingredients
Ingredients
6 cups inexpensive Merlot or Shiraz
5 cups granulated sugar
1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries
3 cups brandy
Instructions
Directions
In a large non-reactive pot bring wine, sugar and cranberries to a simmer. Cook until the cranberries start to pop. Then turn off the stove, remove from heat and let the cranberries cool in the pan. After the cranberries cool to room temperature, pour the cranberry wine mixture into a pitcher, let steep for 2-4 days.
After 2-4 days, strain the mixture in a fine mesh sieve and stir in the brandy. Pour into decorative bottles to share or to keep to enjoy. Cordial lasts 6 months.
Notes
Recipe from New England Today
You can also use the cranberries as a boozy topping on ice cream. Do not serve to children.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Liqueur
Keywords: cranberry cordial, homemade cranberry cordial, cranberry liqueur, homemade gifts, homemade cranberry liqueur
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This sounds good but when is the brandy added? It's mentioned in the ingredient list but not within the directions.
Thank you for pointing that out, after you strain the cranberries you stir in the brandy. Then you put it in bottles. It is delicious.
I used to make homemade gifts when I did a lot of sewing, etc. Never have tasted a cordial though. You're one busy bee!
Brenda
That sounds lovely, especially when mixed with champagne !!!! I’m going to start wrapping in the next few days. XXXX
Elizabeth, this is so pretty and that tangy cranberry taste sounds so good with champagne. I used to make a lot of quince brandy and other preserved treats. They do make great gifts, thank you for the inspiration.
These colors inspire me! That deep scarlet with silver and gold…so festive!
https://littleblackdomicile.com/2018/12/14/the-eternal-christmas-wreath/
Quite a drink!
Love this idea and love all of your baskets – so much more thoughtful and heartfelt when you choose these individual things that add up to a lovely grand thing! Sending you peace, friend. xox