Brandied Cranberries - Ready in just one day! Everyone loves these brandied cranberries, they make great Christmas gifts or take some to a holiday party! Brandy, sugar, cinnamon, star anise, vanilla and cranberries.
Holiday Infusions
It's that time of the year, the time when I start making holiday infusions. I love to give (and keep for myself) infused liquors. Some favorites around the holiday season are Candy Cane Vodka and the most popular post on my blog, Winter Solstice Brew.
Another favorite is brandied fruits! Oh my goodness people. I love brandied fruits. I've made brandied cherries, peaches, and apricots. I have a new favorite and it is brandied cranberries!!
Ingredients.
- Sugar - regular granulated white sugar works for this.
- Cinnamon stick - you can omit, though it does add a festive flair.
- Star anise - you can also omit this, as they can sometimes be tricky to find in a regular grocery store. I usually get mine from the Asian market or online.
- Vanilla bean - if you don't have a vanilla bean, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Cranberries - fresh or frozen will work. Thaw if frozen.
- Brandy - use your favorite! Pick a good quality brandy.
I was looking for some easy things to make with cranberries and I found 50 Things to Make with Cranberries at Food Network. I was immediately drawn to the Brandied Cranberries. Because...hello...Brandied Cranberries!
These are so easy to make! All you do is bring to a boil sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, 1 split vanilla bean (use one from your Homemade Vanilla Extract) - then add the cranberries and let them cook for 3 minutes. Cool and refrigerate over night! That's it!
These brandied cranberries were everything I imagined they would be. Tart, sweet and packing a punch. They stay a lovely vibrant red. I keep a jar of these in my fridge at all times. I use them in cocktails, on a charcuterie board, and even spooned them on ice cream.
Make these. Seriously. They would make great Christmas gifts, if you could bear to give them away. If you gave away these for gifts, you would suddenly become uber popular. I promise.
Cocktails to use cranberries.
Recipe.
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Brandied Cranberries
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise pod
- 1 vanilla bean split
- 2 ½ cups cranberries
- ½ cup brandy
Instructions
- Bring the sugar and ¾ cup water, cinnamon stick, star anise pod, and vanilla bean to a boil. Add the cranberries and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in ½ cup brandy. Let cool and refrigerate overnight.
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for 2024.
Cindy Wiggins says
I followed a link that was labeled 'Brandied Cranberry Syrup'. How is this syrup? Can you just put these whole cranberries in a drink? Like a garnish?
Pam Greer says
I did not call it a syrup, it's Brandied Cranberries. Your issue is with the website that created the link to my recipe calling it a syrup, not with my recipe. Yes, you spoon it into cocktails, spoon it on top of desserts.
Makhaya says
These are such a classy homemade gift to give! Thanks for sharing!
Melanie Cagle says
These are a perfect idea for a gift. Just get some pretty jars with some ribbon.... I love it! Thank you.
Susan says
I had to come and get the recipe after I saw them on IG 🙂
Pam Greer says
You have to make them! They are so easy and so good!
Tina M Culbertson says
I agree with you, these would make great Christmas gifts!
Pam Greer says
Yes, everyone loves them!
Ann says
I will occasionally brandy cherries as we can't get fresh cranberries here. I'd like to try them though. Such a pretty colour.
Pam Greer says
That's a shame you can't get fresh cranberries!
Farwin says
These would make a great gift! Lovely photos !
Pam Greer says
Thank you! Yes, they do make a great gift!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
Such a great recipe and they would be perfect for gifting. So easy to make too. Cranberries are a great part of Christmas and so versatile.
Pam Greer says
It is great to give as gifts!
Caroline says
These sound good! I've made both cranberry gin and brandied cherries but not brandied cranberries - that might have to change!
Pam Greer says
You will love them!
Lisa Bynum says
Oh my goodness, I love infusions too! Definitely checking out the other recipes you mentioned, and please ... when it's peach season again, do a post about brandied peaches!
Pam Greer says
Oh brandied peaches are so good, aren't they?
Kelly Anthony says
How simple and perfect for this holiday season. I can't wait to make these brandied cranberries and share them with my friends!
Pam Greer says
Your friends will love them!
Mary says
Ooh, I love this idea! I make brandied cherries every summer, but this is a great winter alternative!
Pam Greer says
It is! I keep both around the house and brandied apricots!
Faith says
How long do you think these would last in the fridge? I'd like to give this as a Christmas gift.
Pam Greer says
It lasts almost indefinitely! We ate from ours for almost a year!
Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls says
I am SO making these! Thank you for the inspiration. You're amazing.
Miz Helen says
Your Brandied Cranberries look amazing! Hope you are having a wonderful week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Ann says
Congratulations on the birth of your new grandchild. As if Thanksgiving wasn't special enough. My mother was a keen brandier of fruit (yes I know that's not a real word). The colour of this is stunning.
April J Harris says
I would love to receive these as a gift! Pinning! I can think of so many uses for these brandied cranberries. Thank you for sharing them, Pam. Congratulations on your new Granddaughter - that is wonderful news! Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party.
Terri Steffes says
I’m making these right now and my house smells heavenly. ThNk you!
Pam Greer says
Yay!! You'll love these!
Miz Helen says
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. I sure appreciate you!
Miz Helen
Pam Greer says
Thank you Miz Helen! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too!
April J Harris says
What a wonderful recipe, Pam! I can think of so many ways to use these little jewels! Such beautiful pictures too! Stumbled ad shared. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Lisa @ Panning the Globe says
These look great! I bet they'd work in a perfect Manhattan - that's my husband's favorite. We'll have to give this recipe a try. Thanks!