Italian Cranberry Sauce (Negroni Style with Orange)

This Italian cranberry sauce is a Negroni twist on the classic, simmered with fresh orange and a splash each of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth. It's bright, tart, and a little bittersweet, takes about 30 minutes, and is easy to make alcohol-free with orange juice instead.

If you prefer a classic version, try my Easy Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce or my no-cook Best Homemade Cranberry Relish with Orange.

There's always a batch of cranberry sauce in my fridge during cranberry season, not just at Thanksgiving. My kids are like me and love the tart flavor, and I use a little less sugar every time I make it (I may be the only one here who likes it extra tart). I usually have Campari, gin, and vermouth around, so this Negroni cranberry sauce has become our favorite, and I make the kids' batch with just orange juice.

We've spent many Thanksgivings with our Italian neighbors, and their table reminds me of the Italian family parties I grew up with here in the States: pastina in broth, then antipasti like my Calabrian mother-in-law's salami and capicola, lasagna, and finally the turkey. This sauce fits right into that kind of Italian-American Thanksgiving. You can read more about how the holiday is celebrated in my post on Thanksgiving in Italy.

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An Italian Thanksgiving Menu

This is another recipe in our Italian Inspired Thanksgiving Menu series. Stay tuned for more delicious Italian Thanksgiving recipes to inspire you! Our Best Ever Italian Sausage Stuffing is mom's cherished recipe and it is so good! A family favorite is our Roasted Balsamic and Honey Brussels Sprouts. You could see our Pancetta Cornbread and also our Roasted Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Lasagna. For an Italian inspired dessert, try our Amaretti Almond Pumpkin Pie...it's so good!!

Ingredients

• Fresh cranberries: Sort out any that are mushy, brown, or shriveled. Frozen cranberries work too (see tips).
• Sugar: Use a little less if you like your sauce on the tart side.
• Water
• Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth: The three ingredients in a Negroni. If you only have one of them, like Campari, just use that. For an alcohol-free sauce, replace all three with more fresh orange juice.
• Navel orange: Fresh-squeezed juice from half, plus the other half cut into chunks that simmer in the sauce and are removed at the end.
• Orange zest: For garnish.

How to make cranberry sauce?

The first thing to do is sort through the bag and throw away any that are mushy, brown or shriveled up.

The next thing to do is start to boil the water and sugar. You could use less sugar if you would like it more on the tart side. I tend to use less sugar every time I make cranberry sauce. But I may be the only one that likes it more tart over here. Look at the gorgeous cranberries starting to burst!

Cranberry Sauce With Orange Juice?

There is fresh orange juice in this recipe. Just because orange juice and cranberry go so great together! Fresh squeezed orange juice is the best for this recipe. Now this recipe does have a little booze in it. If you prefer it without the booze, simply add more orange juice. And let's say you only have Campari and not the other liqueurs, that's fine. Just use the Campari (or whatever of the 3 you have on hand in this recipe).

So after your cranberries begin to burst and cook up you add your Italian liqueurs and the fresh orange juice. No problem if you would like to use just orange juice to keep it booze free for the kiddos!

Recipe Tips

• Using frozen cranberries: They release more liquid, so start with a little less water. You can always add more if the sauce is too thick.
• Don't judge thickness while hot: The sauce looks loose in the pan but sets up in the fridge. We like ours thick.
• Make it ahead: Cook it a few days before Thanksgiving. The flavors are even better after a day in the fridge.
• Use the leftovers: Swirl leftover sauce into my Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake.
• Make it a party: If you're a Negroni fan like me, serve this alongside a Negroni Sbagliato for the holidays.

What to drink at an Italian Thanksgiving?

Keeping with the Campari theme...if you are a negroni fan like me, read about aperitivo time in Italy and learn how to make your own Negroni Sbagliato!

Storage and Freezing

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve it chilled or at room temperature with my Easy Italian Roast Turkey with Lemon and Herbs and Best Ever Italian Sausage Stuffing, my mom's cherished recipe.

More Recipes Like This

• Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
• Savory Italian Cornbread with Pancetta
• Easy Italian Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon
• Amaretti Almond Pumpkin Pie

Originally published November 2016. Updated October 2026.

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Italian Negroni Cranberry Sauce

A fun way to enjoy the season's fresh cranberries. Italian cranberry sauce is not only a stunner it takes just minutes to put together this spectacular sauce. Feel free to use only orange juice instead of the alcohol.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: cranberries, side dish, vegan, vegetarian

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 19kcal

Author: Lora

Equipment

• saucepan
• collander

Ingredients

• ▢ 16 ounces of fresh cranberries 2 cups
• ▢ 1 ½ cup of sugar
• ▢ 1 cup water
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Campari
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon gin
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon sweet vermouth
• ▢ one navel orange add the juice of ½, cut the other ½ in chunks
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon orange zest to garnish

Instructions

• In a medium sized bowl, rinse the cranberries with cool water, and remove any stems or blemished berries. Drain the cranberries in a colander.
• Heat water and sugar to boiling in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Add in the next four ingredients. Continue boiling 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in cranberries. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Continue boiling about 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until cranberries begin to pop. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Don't worry if every single cranberry does not completely pop. When the sauce is cooked, spoon out the orange pieces. Pour sauce into bowl or container. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until chilled.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Notes

• Alcohol-free: Replace the Campari, gin, and vermouth with more fresh orange juice.
• Frozen cranberries: Use a little less water; add more if needed.
• Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.003g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.003mg

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