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You are here: Home / Friday Cocktails / Liqueurs / Homemade Cranberry Liqueur with Orange Zest

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur with Orange Zest

October 24, 2015 125 Comments

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur is Combined with Prosecco in a Champagne Glass
Homemade Cranberry Liqueur in Champagne Glasses Topped with Prosecco
Homemade Cranberry Liqueur Served in a Liqueur Glass
Homemade Cranberry Liqueur is Combined with Prosecco in a Champagne Glass
Homemade Cranberry Liqueur Served in a Liqueur Glass

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur with Orange Zest is easy to make, delicious to drink and a beautiful gift to share over the holidays!

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur Served in a Liqueur Glass

This might be one of my favorite things to make for the holidays but because I put it on my blog several years ago, it has for the most part languished in the nether world of being there but no one knowing it.

As I finished this years batch of Homemade Cranberry Liqueur with Orange Zest along with the Coffee Liqueur (Faux Kahlua!) I bottled last week I decided this was one of those ‘have tos.’

Meaning I have to take some new photos, I have to re-post this article and then most importantly? You have to make it!

I’ve mentioned I make my Christmas gifts and each year there is a greater challenge to make something more unique than the last.

When I made this several years ago it was one of my first forays into the making of a liqueur. As it turns out they are pretty easy.

Some inexpensive vodka, sugar, and your choice of flavors and you’ve got your own brew. How cool is that?

This favorite seasonal liqueur is simply cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, sugar and vodka.

Simple ingredients but added together and given a couple of weeks to age and you’ll have something amazing to share…or squirrel away if you must!

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur is Combined with Prosecco in a Champagne Glass

In the past couple of years I’ve started making Homemade Cranberry Liqueur in time for Thanksgiving; it’s really perfect for the entire holiday season so you need a bit of a head start since it has to age for a couple of weeks.

These cranberries were frozen from last year; I take NO chances on being able to find them in time!

I’ll store a bottle in the freezer and a small sip is the perfect after dinner drink.

I save the cranberry fruit after the liqueur has been bottled and those little liquored up pieces of fruit are fantastic on top of some vanilla ice cream or pound cake with a drizzle of the liqueur.

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur in Champagne Glasses Topped with Prosecco

Still, the star attraction for me is this Sparkling Cranberry Cocktail. It’s seasonal, so simple and elegant and yet from the making of the liqueur to the final cocktail, it is so easy no one would imagine you only labored for a few minutes. Perfect right?

With a touch or orange in the mix it’s such a great flavor which is sure a nice bonus when first impressions are all about how beautiful it is; there is nothing homemade looking about this Homemade Cranberry Liqueur.

Though I’ve labeled the cocktail as a champagne one, the truth is I most often use either Italian Prosecco or Spanish Cava.

Three Bottles of Cranberry Liqueur Decorated for Gifts

A friend of mine in Australia that I met on Twitter it seems like a million years ago wanted to make this recipe but as it turns out, no fresh cranberries to be found.

We take them so for granted in the US; might it be because the majority of the world’s production is in Canada and the United States? Most of the world only has them available as a frozen product.

As it turned out, the year that Amanda wanted to try this recipe, she couldn’t even find frozen berries so went on a hunt for some dried one.

Not Craisins, either, but actually dried cranberries. She was successful and made a version that looks beautiful and tasted great…in case you are also located somewhere that is not overflowing with cases of fresh cranberries everywhere we turn this time of year!

For a version using dried cranberries, please visit Amanda’s blog, Lambs Ear and Honey…tell her Barb sent you. 🙂  And cheers Amanda!

Making liqueurs is easy and delicious; here’s a few more I’ve tried with great success:

My Favorite Homemade Liqueurs!

I love making homemade liqueurs; they're easy and so rewarding. Great gift ideas too!

Homemade Blackberry Liqueur (Crème de Mûre)

Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur

Homemade Limoncello Liqueur

PIN ‘Homemade Cranberry Liqueur with Orange Zest’

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur Served in a Liqueur Glass

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur is Combined with Prosecco in a Champagne Glass

Yield: 64 Ounces

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur Served in a Liqueur Glass

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur with Orange Zest is easy to make, delicious to drink and a beautiful gift to share over the holidays!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Liqueur:

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
  • 2 cups vodka (Use decent vodka but top shelf not required)

For the Champagne Cocktail:

  • 1 & 1/2 oz Cranberry Liqueur, chilled
  • 4 oz Champagne, Cava or Prosecco, chilled

Instructions

  1. Combine sugar and water in heavy saucepan and bring to boil. Simmer sugar syrup for three minutes, making sure all of the sugar has dissolved in the water.
  2. Add cranberries, orange juice and orange rind.
  3. Remove syrup mixture from heat and cool slightly.
  4. Add mixture to Cuisinart and chop just slightly to open up berries; cool completely.
  5. Add vodka and mix thoroughly.
  6. Pour into container; glass or plastic. Cover and store in a dark, cool location for 3 weeks. (I put mine in the garage).
  7. Stir ingredients every couple of days.
  8. Once the mixture is ready, strain through fine metal sieve lined with cheesecloth (I like butter muslin; it's much finer and is sure to catch every seed); saving the berries; they are great on french toast, pancakes, or ice cream.
  9. Pour liqueur into glass containers; serve chilled in liqueur or shot glasses or use to make the Cranberry Champagne Cocktail.
  10. Time does not include the 3 weeks for 'brewing.'

To Make the Cocktail:

  1. Pour 1/2 to 1 ounce of the cranberry liqueur into chilled champagne glasses; top with your choice of chilled sparkling wine.

Notes

  • I found the bottles I used the first year I did this at The Container Store; I've since seen them at World Market too but all retail bottles get pricey if making this for gifts. Now I buy bottles from Specialty Bottle; they have multiple styles and sizes that are inexpensive for gift giving.
  • Butter Muslin is used in cheese-making and is a much finer weave than regular cheesecloth. Once you strain it you can wash it and use again. I usually strain twice to insure I get rid of any sediment!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

64

Serving Size:

1 oz

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 51Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g

The nutritional information is computer-generated and only an estimate.

© Creative Culinary
Cuisine: American / Category: Liqueurs

« Butternut Squash, Potato and Roasted Pepper Soup in Slow Cooker
Pasta with Mascarpone Pumpkin Sauce and Toasted Walnuts »

Comments

  1. Geoff G. says

    March 31, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Hi Barb, love your web site and the great many recipes you've provided us. I made your cranberry liqueur this past holiday season to give as Christmas gifts and enjoy in my own home. I've found many ways to use the liqueur in various drinks and all have been fantastic. I found some really cool inexpensive decorative bottles at Marshall's and TJ Maxx stores and ended up with a great looking, and cost effective, gift for neighbors and friends. I made two batches of the liqueur and had a large amount of leftover cranberries. I just couldn't stand the thought of throwing out these perfectly good chopped berries so I used them in my favorite cranberry-orange bread and it was AWESOME. Plus it provided an additional food gift to give out with the liqueur. Thanks for making our lives more delicious!
    Reply
    • Barb | Creative-Culinary.com says

      March 31, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      I love hearing this Geoff...after all, the love I put into sharing isn't so these recipes can just languish; I want people to make and enjoy them too! I still have some of the chopped cranberries; I put them in the freezer because I didn't want them to go bad (which I doubt they would have considering they are half vodka at this point!). I need to follow your lead this time and do the same and use them in a bread...umm, that sounds GOOD! Thanks so much for your kind comment; much appreciated.
      Reply
  2. Atasha More says

    November 23, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    I love your site --- so classy! :) I would like to try this out this Christmas season! When you say, "Add mixture to Cuisinart and chop just slightly to open up berries; cool completely", do you mean put them in a blender or food processor and chop them coarsely? I apologize for this query as I this will be my first time to make a liqueur. Thanks in a advance!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      November 24, 2015 at 10:17 am

      Thanks so much Atasha; your kind comment means the world to me! And yes, that's exactly what I mean. You don't want mush, but want them broken up; coarsely chopped is perfect. So perfect I think I'll just change it to those words! I hope you enjoy it; it's delicious and so beautiful; sort of perfect right?
      Reply
      • Atasha More says

        November 24, 2015 at 10:16 pm

        Many thanks for your prompt reply, Barb :) Now I can make this gorgeous liqueur in time for Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving! I also wish you advance Merry Christmas --- may it be as awesome as you are! Cheers, Atasha
        Reply
        • Creative Culinary says

          November 28, 2015 at 4:59 pm

          Oh how sweet you are...thanks so much! Mine is done and I want to drink some now...but I know I best wait. Which is hard. :)
  3. Debbie from MountainMamaOnline says

    October 26, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    This is fantastic - I am absolutely going to make this!! That's funny, I just did a post last week about cocktail infusions - this one is definitely more of a cordial and I can just imagine it would be lovely to put a slurp of this into a glass of prosecco!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      October 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      It is fantastic with Prosecco! I haven't done much else with it because that combination is so perfect.
      Reply
  4. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    October 24, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    This looks gorgeous! And the champagne cocktail looks very festive (not to mention tasty!). I've never made my own liqueurs or even infused vodkas -- really need to get into it. Anyway, thanks for this.
    Reply
  5. Marilyn says

    November 29, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    what is the yield (in cc's or ounces) from one recipe? I want to make a total of 1 gallon to give as gifts. It would really help if I knew from the start how much of each ingredient I would need. Thank you so much!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      November 30, 2014 at 12:17 pm

      I don't have an exact measure Marilyn but I just added the quantities in the recipe and figure that the end output would be a bit more than a quart per recipe. Since a gallon has four quarts I would estimate you would have to quadruple the ingredients to make sure you had a gallon.
      Reply
  6. Christina @Christina's Cucina says

    November 26, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    I was smitten with this recipe as soon as I saw it! Made a batch this morning and can't wait to try it next month! Don't know if I'll be generous enough to give it away as gifts! Haha! Thank you, Barb!
    Reply
  7. Betsy @ Desserts Required says

    November 17, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    You have inspired me to try this...and, possibly, others as well. I love that you give bottles of liqueur at the holidays. That's a great idea. I am so proud of how far you have come with your pictures. The original was lovely but the current ones are gorgeous!
    Reply
  8. Bobby | All Home Brew Supplies says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    We always make special product in special holidays :) I love your idea! I'll definitely try your style
    Reply
  9. Anne says

    December 4, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Making this, even as I type. specialtybottles.com carries a very reasonable range of bottles for bottling these special gifts. I'm trying them this year.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 5, 2013 at 7:13 pm

      I know...they have saved me a fortune as I used to buy at Crate and Barrel or Cost Plus and the stupid bottles were the priciest part of the gift! I hope you love it too; it's a gorgeous liqueur.
      Reply
  10. Skye says

    January 20, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    Well, the results are in! :-) The family and friends loved the cranberry liqueur and are already "hinting" that they would be open to receiving more for Holidays 2013. I did make a second batch and added a couple of cinnamon sticks while it was infusing. That was quite nice as well. Thank you Barbara for helping me be one step ahead for 2013! :)
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      January 21, 2013 at 4:01 pm

      So good to hear...I know I love it! It is simply the prettiest liqueur ever and doesn't hurt that it tastes so good either does it. Here's to 2013!
      Reply
  11. kelly @ kellybakes says

    November 24, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Barb, you are a genius! I recently embarked on a slivovitz adventure and a vanilla bean extract adventure and happen to have a bag of frozen cranberries and an extra bottle on my counter that could easily accomodate another flavored vodka project. I'm glad this works with frozen cranberries. Thanks so much for sharing. Wishing you happy holidays! :)
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      November 24, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      You are too sweet but I'll take it! This is so easy and so good; not to mention SO beautiful! Hope you love it like we do. All I know is I got bottles back from gift baskets in the hopes they would be refilled...that says something huh? :)
      Reply
  12. Jen myers says

    November 19, 2012 at 7:52 am

    how much does one batch of the Cranberry Liqueur make? thanks.
    Reply
  13. LeAna says

    December 28, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    This looks wonderful! Have you ever tried it with blackberries?
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 28, 2011 at 3:45 pm

      I have not but I would in a heartbeat...maybe substituting lemon juice for the OJ? I'll have to try it!
      Reply
  14. Mary Mansson says

    December 26, 2011 at 12:36 am

    I made your cranberry liqueur and brought it to Christmas dinner. It was the hit of the dinner. One person declared it the best after dinner drink he had in his life. Thank you for sharing. I have some cranberries left; I think I will make another batch.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      May 18, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Mary, Somehow I missed your comment in December on the cranberry liqueur of mine that you made and what a pleasant surprise to read it now; so very happy you enjoyed it as much as we do. Cheers!
      Reply
  15. Amanda says

    December 20, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    Seems to be something of a cranberry crisis here in Australia this Christmas & frozen cranberries are just not available. I've used the whole dried ones and they seem to have worked out well - with huge thanks to Barbara for her suggestions & support. Merry Christmas from down under!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 23, 2011 at 8:36 am

      I love your spirit and more than that...love that it created such success. Thanks for sharing Amanda.
      Reply
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