gluten-free | dairy-free
This homemade cranberry liqueur is a festive holiday infusion—fresh cranberries, orange zest, and warm spices steeped in vodka for 30 days, then sweetened with simple syrup. Gluten-free (use a gluten-free vodka) and dairy-free. Rich has made it for a decade; ‘put down’ a batch when cranberries hit stores in early fall and enjoy it through the holidays. Don’t miss the Cranhattan cocktail on the recipe.
I have been making cranberry liqueur for about 10 years. As soon as the fresh cranberries arrive at the store in early fall, I grab a few bags and “put down” a batch so I can enjoy it throughout the holidays and into the new year.
In the past, I’ve made this recipe using Everclear instead of Vodka, but now, I only use Vodka. There is a story that may involve Victoria, a batch of Everclear Cranberry Liqueur, and a pledge to never use Everclear again! You can certainly substitute the Vodka with Everclear, but be very careful! The liqueur will be STRONG!
The hardest part of this recipe is the waiting! You must let the cranberries “rest” for at least 30 days before you can enjoy the delicious liqueur. Don’t miss my recipe for a Cranhattan (cranberry Manhattan) at the end of the ingredient list.
Now, go eat something amazing!
Homemade Cranberry Liqueur
The Ingredients
For the Liqueur
- 1 liter vodka
- 24 oz cranberries, fresh, 2 ocean spray bags
- 1 small orange, zest only
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 5 whole cloves
- 5 whole allspice berries
For the Simple Syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
Cranhattan Drink Recipe
- 2 oz whiskey
- 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
- 1/2 oz cranberry liqueur
- 2 dashes Agostino Bitters
- 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters, or Orange Bitters
- Combine and serve over a large ice cube
The Process
Overview
- This is a two-step process. The cranberry liqueur ingredients will be used at the beginning of the process and the simple syrup will be made at the end of the process. The entire process takes 30 days. You will need a large, airtight glass jar to rest the cranberry mix in, see equipment list above.
Prepping the Cranberry Mix
- Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until they have broken down into small pieces. Transfer to glass jar.
- Add the vodka to the jar and then add the orange zest, cloves, allspice berries and cinnamon sticks. Mix to combine.
- Add the lid to the jar and store in a cool, dark area for at least 30 days and up to 3 months. You will want to check on and "shake" the jar periodically through the resting time.
Strain the Cranberry Mixture
- After 30 days you can finish the liqueur. Start by straining the the solids from the liquid using a mesh strainer.
- The next step is to strain again, this time using cheesecloth and a mesh strainer. Spread a sheet of cheesecloth over the strainer and pour the once-strained liquid through.
Make the Simple Syrup
- Add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of granulated sugar to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, just until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Make the Liqueur
- Once the simple syrup is cool, you can finalize the liqueur. You will be adding the simple syrup to the cranberry liquid. Start with a cup of cranberry liquid and add 1/4 cup simple syrup and taste. If not sweet enough, try with 1/3 cup simple syrup to to one cup cranberry. Or, for max sweetness, 1/2 cup simple syrup to 1 cup cranberry. Once you have determined the ratio (either 1/3, 1/4, or 1/2) you will mix that ratio of simple syrup into the cranberry liquid.For example, if you have 9 cups of cranberry liquid and you chose the 1/3 cup ratio, you will add 3 cups of simple syrup to the 9 cups of cranberry liquid.
- After you mix the simple syrup and cranberry together, stir well to combine.
- Bottle in air-tight glass containers and store for up to one year.
- Try the Cranhattan recipe above. It is delicious!