Simple and Luxurious Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a perfect addition that brings elegance and exquisite flavor to many dishes. It pairs wonderfully with roasted meats and cheeses. In its luxury version, made with the addition of wine, it becomes a true culinary gem on the Christmas table. It’s also a fantastic gift idea if you’re invited to a holiday dinner in an English home.

You can buy cranberry sauce at any store, but why bother when it’s so easy to make it yourself? No store-bought product, even the most expensive, can compare in flavor to the one you make at home. Homemade cranberry sauce has a depth of flavor that you won’t find in store-bought varieties—it’s fresh, refined, and intense. In the UK, you can find fresh cranberries in almost every supermarket a month before Christmas.

Making it is incredibly simple—it only requires three ingredients. Yet the result is so luxurious that every meat or cheese dish takes on a special character. What’s more, the preparation takes just a few minutes, and the result will delight even the most discerning palates. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

• 120 ml dry red wine
• 250 g fresh or frozen cranberries
• 70 g brown sugar

Preparation:

1. Place all the ingredients in a pot and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until the fruit starts to burst and the sauce thickens.

2. Use a potato masher to gently crush the cranberries and release even more flavor.

3. Transfer to a jar and leave to cool – the sauce will thicken even more once chilled.

Tip:

If you like coconut sugar, don’t add it to this recipe. I tried once, and unfortunately, it ruined the whole sauce. It’s best to stick with the traditional version—after all, Christmas is the time to indulge!

How to serve:

• As a side for roasted duck, turkey, or beef.
• On a cheese board next to mature brie, camembert, or cheddar.
• As a gourmet addition to toasts with goat cheese or smoked cheese.

Gift Idea:

Transfer the sauce to a decorative jar, add a ribbon, and a small handwritten label. It’s a perfect homemade gift that will delight the hosts of a holiday dinner

Would you like to add any other elements to the recipe, such as storage suggestions or versions with spices? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section and like my Facebook page to stay updated on new posts!