Fresh cranberries, sugar, wine and brandy turn into this delicious homemade cranberry cordial. 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 delicious 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

Cranberry cordial is my favorite liqueur, not only because I love all things cranberry but because it has a delicious depth of flavor and it is a great mixer for holiday festivities.

• 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, washed and cleaned.
• Brandy

How to Make Homemade Cranberry Cordial Recipe

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 your holiday parties start a batch soon.

• In a large saucepan bring wine, sugar and cranberries to a simmer over medium-high heat, stir with a wooden spoon. Cook until the berries pop. then turn off the stove, remove from the pan from the heat and let the cranberries cool in the pan.
• After the cranberries cool to room temperature, pour the cranberry sugar syrup into a pitcher, or a large quart jar, then 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 glass bottle to share, to add to your gift baskets or to keep and enjoy this holiday season.

Variations

You can make this cranberry cordial into a spiced cranberry cordial by adding ginger root, star anise, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, citrus zest or other herbs and spices.

What to Serve with Cranberry Cordial

Cocktails & Mixed Drinks

• Mix cranberry cordial with champagne or prosecco for a sparkling cocktail perfect for celebrations. Use two tablespoons of cordial per glass and garnish with fresh cranberries or orange twist.
• Create a cranberry martini by combining two parts vodka with one part cordial and a splash of fresh lime juice. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Add a shot of cordial to hot apple cider for a warming winter beverage. The combination of cranberry and apple creates comforting fall flavor.
• Stir cordial into bourbon or whiskey with a splash of soda water for a simple but sophisticated highball. The cranberry’s tartness balances whiskey’s sweetness beautifully.

Cheese and Charcuterie Boards

• Serve cranberry cordial alongside aged cheddar, gouda, or brie. Pour into small cordial glasses for sipping.
• Pair with cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and soppressata.
• Include water crackers, dried fruits, and candied nuts on your board.

Desserts

• Drizzle cordial over vanilla ice cream or panna cotta for an instant elegant dessert. The cordial provides a tart contrast to sweet, creamy desserts.
• Brush cordial onto cake layers before frosting for extra moisture and flavor. This works well with white cake, almond cake, or pound cake.
• Mix a tablespoon of cordial into whipped cream for a flavored topping that pairs wonderfully with chocolate desserts or fruit tarts.
• Serve alongside dark chocolate truffles or chocolate-covered cherries.

Holiday Entertaining

• Offer cranberry cordial as an after-dinner digestif during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year celebrations.

Ways to Use Leftover Cranberry Cordial

• Deglaze pans with cranberry cordial after searing pork chops, or chicken thighs. The alcohol evaporates while fruit sugars caramelize, creating a glossy, flavorful pan sauce. Add a tablespoon of butter at the end to make it rich and creamy.
• Reduce cranberry cordial in a small saucepan until syrupy, then drizzle over roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, butternut squash or sweet potato.
• Add a splash to the braising liquid when making pot roast or short ribs.

Baking

• Brush cordial onto cake layers before assembling and frosting. It adds moisture and flavor and prevents a dry cake. Works well with vanilla, almond, or chocolate cakes.
• Mix cordial into buttercream frosting for unique flavor. Start with two tablespoons per batch and adjust to taste. The cordial adds both flavor and slight color.

Breakfast

• Soak dried fruits in cordial before adding to scones, muffins, or quick breads. The alcohol plumps the fruit while infusing it with cranberry flavor.
• Stir cordial into overnight oats or chia pudding for adults-only breakfast. Use one to two tablespoons per serving.
• Drizzle over French toast, waffles, or pancakes instead of plain syrup. Warm the cordial slightly in the microwave.
• Whisk cordial into fall vinaigrettes. Combine three parts olive oil with one part cordial, add Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. This dressing is delicious with mixed greens, goat cheese, candied pecans, and dried cranberries.
• Blend cordial with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and herbs for a unique dipping sauce for grilled chicken or vegetables.
• Pour cordial over vanilla ice cream, gelato, or frozen yogurt for and instant dessert.

Dessert

• Mix with melted dark chocolate for a ganache-style sauce. The cranberry cuts chocolate’s richness perfectly. Drizzle over cheesecake, brownies, or pound cake.
• Fold cordial into whipped cream to create a flavored topping for pies, tarts, or hot chocolate.
• Macerate fresh berries in cordial for 30 minutes before serving over shortcake or angel food cake. The cordial draws out berry juices and creates a delicious syrup.

How to you store homemade cordial?

Glass bottles with airtight seals provide the best storage for cranberry cordial. Sterilize bottles before filling by washing in hot, soapy water and rinsing with boiling water. Let them air dry completely. This prevents bacteria or mold spores from contaminating your cordial.

Store sealed cranberry cordial in a cool, dark place like a pantry, cabinet, or liquor storage area. Avoid storing near heat  like ovens or in direct sunlight. Properly stored cranberry cordial maintains quality for 6-12 months. The high alcohol content acts as a preservative, preventing spoilage.

Refrigeration is not necessary for cranberry cordial. However, some people prefer serving cordial chilled and store opened bottles in the refrigerator for convenience.

What to do with wine infused cranberries?

If you save the cranberries instead of discarding them 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.
• Add to club soda.
• Boozy cranberry milkshakes.
• Use in homemade chocolate candy.
• Serve over oatmeal or chia pudding.
• Serve over waffles and pancakes.
• Add to muffins, breads and cakes.
• DO NOT SERVE TO CHILDREN.

FAQS

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Frozen cranberries work well in cranberry cordial. Use frozen berries without thawing them first. The recipe and proportions remain identical to using fresh cranberries. Frozen berries are especially convenient when making cordial outside of cranberry season.

Do I need to refrigerate cranberry cordial?

Refrigeration is not necessary for properly made cranberry cordial with adequate alcohol content. The alcohol acts as a natural preservative, keeping the cordial stable at room temperature for 6-12 months. Store in a cool, dark place like a pantry or liquor cabinet. However, you can refrigerate opened bottles if you prefer serving cordial chilled or if your home is particularly warm. Non-alcoholic versions do require refrigeration.

Can I make non-alcoholic cranberry cordial?

You can make a non-alcoholic cranberry syrup but it technically is not a cordial. Simmer cranberries with sugar and water until berries burst and liquid reduces. Strain and bottle the syrup. Without alcohol as a preservative, this version must be refrigerated and lasts only two to three weeks. The flavor will be sweeter and less complex than true cordial.

What is the best way to gift cranberry cordial?

Bottle cordial in clear glass bottles that show off the ruby color. Add custom labels with the cordial name, date made, and alcohol content. Include a tag with serving suggestions or a simple cocktail recipe. Wrap bottles in tissue paper or place in gift bags with raffia or ribbon. Attach a cinnamon stick, a spring of holly or a few dried oranges to the outside. Small bottles between 4-8 ounces make perfect gifts.

Can I reuse the strained cranberries?

The strained cranberries have given up most of their flavor to the cordial but still contain alcohol. You can use them in baking. Chop them and add to muffins, quick breads, or scones. They also work in chutneys or relishes after cooking to evaporate alcohol. Some people simmer the berries with additional sugar to make a boozy jam. Discard berries if they smell or look off.

Need More Cranberry Recipes?

Apple Cranberry Muffins, Cranberry Almond Bundt Cake, Cranberry Bread, Cranberry Apple Bread with Streusel Topping, Gingerbread Cupcakes with Candied Cranberries,Sugared Cranberries, Ina’s Old Fashioned Apple Crisp, Apple Crumble Bars.

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

Homemade cranberry cordial has become one of my favorite homemade holiday gifts because with minimal effort I can create a sweet and delicious gift. Once you taste the difference between homemade and commercial versions, you will understand why this tradition has endured for centuries. The satisfaction of sipping something you made yourself simply cannot be matched.

Do you make any homemade food gifts, cordials or liqueur?

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 Cordial

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Fresh cranberries, sugar, wine and brandy turn into this delicious homemade cranberry cordial. Perfect for holiday gifts or to make Cranberry Kir Royals and other holiday cocktails. 

• Total Time: 0 hours
• Yield: About 3 Quarts 1x

Ingredients

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Ingredients

6 cups inexpensive Merlot or Shiraz

5 cups granulated sugar

1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries

3 cups brandy

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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.

• Author: Elizabeth
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
• Category: Liqueur