The best holiday foods need to meet a few requirements. They should have seasonal, festive foods in them. They should either be served warm or have warming spices in them. Having a bright pop of color is always a bonus. Oh, and some booze doesn’t hurt either. Plus, favorite family recipes or those with flavors that bring you right back to childhood are always winners.
That’s a lot of requirements for one little recipe to meet. I’m putting tons of pressure on my food this holiday season, but I think it can take it. Me? I’m not so sure. That’s why I like recipes with a little alcohol in them 🙂
We all have our favorite holiday recipes. And if you’re anything like me, you’re always adding new ones to the list as well. Because while traditions are great, they are flexible and always evolving. So are our tastes when it comes to food. There are so many foods I loved as a kid, but just don’t like now. I’m looking at you Ritz Bits.
So this Bourbon Cranberry Compote is the best of both worlds. It reminds me of that weird canned cranberry sauce I used to sometimes eat as a kid, but takes it to a whole new, fresh, adult level. Seasonal, ruby red cranberries are the star of this recipe with some cinnamon for warmth, though this can also be served warm or cold. And it has bourbon. Bourbon makes everything better.
In addition to the sweet tart cranberries, I added an apple for a bit of crunch and plump raisins for a little more sweetness. Whether you serve this compote alongside your meaty main dish, dolloped on top of cake, or drizzled on ice cream, it is sure to become one of your new favorite holiday recipes.
Bourbon Cranberry Compote #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Varies
Ingredients
- 1 large apple, cored and diced
- 1 12 ounce bag of cranberries, washed and picked
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup water
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine apple, cranberries, raisins, cinnamon, water, light brown sugar, and maple syrup. Place over medium high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the cranberries have burst and the apples have softened slightly, 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the bourbon. Place back on the heat and cook an additional 1 or 2 minutes. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold. Compote may be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper dishes!
Libations
- Big Easy Milk Punch by The Weekend Gourmet
- Blue Sparkling Star Cocktail by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Boozy Iced Spanish Coffee by Nosh My Way
- Campari Mint Spritzer by eating in instead
- Cranberry Moscow Mule by Ruffles & Truffles
- Creamy, Loaded Eggnog by La Bella Vita Cucina
- Malibu Breeze by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Merry Berry Spritz by Amee’s Savory Dish
- Minty Lime Rum by A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
- Pomegranate Panache by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Rhubarb Fool Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
- Southern Pomegranate Sparkler by Noshing With The Nolands
- Sparkling Pomegranate Berry Punch by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Vanilla Bailey’s With A Twist by Momma’s Meals
Savory and Sweet Libational Dishes
- Apple Bourbon Pulled Pork Sliders by Curious Cuisiniere
- Beerberry Pancakes by Brunch with Joy
- Beet Relish by What Smells So Good?
- Belgian Beef Stew with Belgian Ale by Cooking On The Ranch
- Brandied Triple Cheese Ball by Magnolia Days
- Champagne Chicken by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Cornish Game Hens with Sausage Red Wine Sauce over Polenta by The Texan New Yorker
- Craft Beer Jelly by Nik Snacks
- Eggnog Dutch Baby Pancakes with Cranberries by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Hot Buttered Rum Balls by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Lentil Soup with Wine Braised Shallots by Pancake Warriors
- Red Wine Braised Short Ribs by Cooking Chat
Libational Desserts
- Amaretto Coconut Biscotti with Amaretto Salted Caramel Drizzle by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Amaretto Cranberry Swirled Cheesecake by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Baked Pears with a Warm Tequila-Citrus Espuma by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Bourbon Cranberry Compote by Pies and Plots
- Caramelized Banana Upside-Down Rum Cake by Wallflour Girl
- Chocolate Stout Beer Brownies by The Perfect Brownie
- Dumante Frozen Espresso Creams by Seduction in the Kitchen
- Honey Chamomile Hot Toddy Tea Cake by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Kahlua Bundt Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Red Wine Poached Pears with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Rum Glazed Cookie Cream Buns by NinjaBaker
- Tiramisu Biscotti by The Redhead Baker
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Love it! I think I’ll make this for my family holiday meal.
Awesome! Let me know how it turns out, Renee!
Boozed up cranberries? Spectacular!!!!
I am always ready and willing to update holiday favorites, and this is such a fun twist on cranberry sauce!
Ohh This looks so yummy!!!! I want some of it!
What a delicious cranberry dish!
I am totally in love with this recipe and have to make it soon. Darn, we aren’t having turkey again for the holidays and I just made one.
This would be perfect on my eggnog dutch baby pancakes!!!
Yes! So true!
This is a classic and a good one for sure! 🙂 I just started adding booze to my cranberries this year and its a must-have!
Mmmm the tart cranberry topped on vanilla ice cream would be sublime, Laura! Bravo, too, for bringing out a dessert that does indeed pop with Christmas red! P.s. Are you sure you don’t want to give Ritz bits a second chance? =)
This looks like fun to make!
Hehe…I want to try some Ritz Bitz again (totally forgot about those!). Still, I’d rather try this compote–you’re right, it looks soooo festive and perfecto!
I like some childhood foods, they’re just not one of them. Pop Tarts, Oreos, and gummy candies totally have me though.
Bourbon + cranberries = Julie eats the whole jar by herself. Seriously, this sounds and looks so delicious, with my favorite holiday flavors. Love it!
Oh, yeah, I had to stop myself from eating this!
This compote looks so decadent and so wonderful.
Love the maple syrup addition!
It looks fabulous and love the alcohol touch! Haha…
So FANCY!I’d have it on crepes for breakfast too
Yup, I’m always up for recipes with a bit of booze in them, too. And who can resist bourbon? This looks wonderful — such vibrant color! Thanks, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Happy Holidays to you as well, John!
Love the bourbon and cranberry compote!
Bourbon and cranberries for the holidays?! Bring it on! And, please, send some my way, too!
I wish I could send you some, Julia!