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Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur

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This year we are spending Thanksgiving with friends, I thought I’d make some easy homemade cranberry vanilla liqueur. It will make a nice hostess gift.

Homemade cranberry vanilla liqueur is a lovely after dinner aperitif.I love making homemade gifts for many reasons. It can often be more economical, it shows you put a lot of time, effort and thought into the gift and it’s very personalized. 

Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur makes a great hostess gift for the holidays.

This liqueur is easier to make then you think. It starts with a good vanilla vodka, because something you like is going to taste better. There are many on the market. You also need frozen cranberries. Fresh cranberries work in a pinch. The key tool is a food processor. While you can use a blender, a food processor will make quick work of the cranberries.

Cranberries in the food processor for easy homemade cranberry vanilla liqueur.

I know, these pulsed cranberries don’t look pretty. You are going to add this to the vanilla vodka because that’s where all the flavor lives. You may be wondering why not just use whole cranberries. Breaking them down lets the flavor seep into the vodka.

Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur makes a great gift.

Once strained, the result is a gorgeous, red clear liqueur. Steeping takes 2 to 3 weeks so be sure to plan ahead if making this for gifts.

Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur makes a great gift.

More Cranberry recipes on the site include: cranberry butter, glazed cranberry almond squares, and cranberry orange shortbread bars with orange glaze.

Homemade cranberry vanilla liqueur is a lovely after dinner aperitif.

Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur

Yield: 1 Liter
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 21 days
Total Time: 21 days 20 minutes

Enjoy as a cordial or use with mixers for a cocktail.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ½ cups frozen cranberries
  • 750 ml vanilla vodka

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil one minute. Remove from heat and cool.
  2. In the bowl of a food processor, puree the cranberries.
  3. In a large measuring cup, combine the vanilla vodka with the simple syrup. Stir to combine and then add cranberry puree. Stir well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 - 3 weeks, stirring every so often.
  4. Using a fine mesh strainer and ladle, strain mixture into one or two large measuring cups. Once mixture is strained, transfer to clean, decorative bottles. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use or gift.

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Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below or share it on Pinterest!

Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur makes a great gift. #cranberryweek

It’s Cranberry Week! See all the other delicious cranberry recipes being shared today (and follow #cranberryweek to see even more):

Liz @ Books n' Cooks

Friday 8th of November 2019

This sounds delicious. I bet it would be a fun way to change up a classic cosmo

Alisa Infanti

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Wow love this! I wonder if you could do this with cherries or raspberries too?

Romina

Thursday 7th of November 2019

I love how vibrant this looks.

Shinta Simon

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Gosh, such a lovely hostess gift idea! I know what I'd like to stock up on this Christmas!

Ashley

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Oh fun!!! I"m venturing out to get all the supplies today, so I can make gifts for everyone's place at Thanksgiving! How fun.

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