Looking for a unique seasonal recipe using cranberries that can also be an easy holiday kitchen gift idea? Homemade Cranberry Vinegar is the ticket! The color alone is worth making it.
As the cyberwaves are packed to the gills with Thanksgiving recipes I’m taking a step to the side to bring you something different: Homemade Cranberry Vinegar. It’s actually a vinegar infusion (though I do love making homemade vinegar from scratch too). The vinegar is very easy to make and its beautiful ruby red color makes it a star choice for holiday gifts from the kitchen!
I feel like the fall and early winter months have very distinct flavors. Pumpkin, cinnamon, cranberry and peppermint lace through the change of seasons like culinary sign posts letting us know the holidays and cooler months are upon us.
Sadly, cranberries feel to be short changed in the versatility department. It’s the Pumpkin Spice Lattes people are announcing on Facebook as soon as Starbuck’s releases them (it seemed like August this year). Pumpkin covers the gamut from soups, to pumpkin pie, smoothies, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin hot chocolate, spicy pumpkin pasta sauce and so on. I don’t recall seeing a cranberry in a pasta sauce. Ever.
Homemade Cranberry Vinegar lets the cranberry spread its wings a bit. The vinegar is an infusion with apple cider vinegar, sugar, water, cinnamon and fresh cranberries creating a tasty vinegar for the season and beyond.
How to Use Cranberry Vinegar
It would be wonderful for:
- fall and winter salads
- drizzled in soups
- in slaws
- barbecue sauce recipes
- in beans
- quick pickling
- in beef stews
- for marinating raw vegetables
- to make into a reduction to sauce other foods.
It can also be infused a second time with herbs to flavor it further for salad dressings.
Printable Gift Tags
One of my favorite things to make for the holidays are edible gifts. Maybe I’ve watched too many episodes of Hoarders but I personally like things I can use up and enjoy thinking of the maker in the process.
With the holidays afoot, I have created some simple gift tags in the event you want to make Homemade Cranberry Vinegar for your gift giving. Just print them out, cut them out and attach to the bottles or jars of vinegar!
EQUIPMENT/WHERE TO BUY:
A key piece of equipment for this recipe is a fine gauge sieve or strainer. If you don’t already own one, it is an inexpensive kitchen tool that fill the bill when straining liquids with smaller particles that might pass through a larger strainer. I use both the regular rounded style and the conical style for everything from straining tea to making ice cream!
The bottles used in this post are Limoncello bottles from World Market.
Recipe
Homemade Cranberry Vinegar
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- ¾ cup Water
- 1 3- inch Cinnamon Stick
- 12- ounces fresh Cranberries , rinsed
- Optional: Printable Gift Tags
Instructions
- Sterilize the jars or bottles which will hold the vinegar by rinsing them out with boiling water and allowing them to dry.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then lower the temperature to reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the cranberries burst, approximately 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool fully in the saucepan. Strain through a fine gauge sieve (discard the cranberries and cinnamon stick) into bottles or jars for storage; seal and store in a cool place. May be stored for up to 3 months in a cool, dark place OR for 6-8 months in the refrigerator.
Marcie W. says
I love exploring different oils and vinegars! This festive idea seems absolutely perfect for the season.
Lisa Favre says
We are trying to think of ways to save money on Christmas gifts this year and this seems like a great idea. Definitely taking it into consideration!
Toni Dash says
This would be perfect then!
Danielle says
I’ve never been the biggest fan of cranberries, but I’m intrigued by this combo of ingredients. I’d love to try this on a salad!
Catherine Sargent says
This sounds so good. I have can’t wait to make this, I have never made my own vinegar.
Diana Rambles says
I love cranberries. I must make this. It would be a great gift.
Tara says
The color of the cranberry vinegar is gorgeous and it sounds quite yummy. I’ll have to make some to use over the holidays.
Jen Rattie says
That’s an awesome gift idea. This is the type of thing you’d pay an arm and a leg for at one of those overly fancy stores in the mall.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is a great idea. This is the kind of thing that adds something special to recipes, and I think they’re great for gifts.
Jeanette says
My mom’s favorite thing in the world is cranberry anything. This might be a perfect Christmas gift for her because she loves to cook and this would be a great way to do it.
Reesa Lewandowski says
What a beautiful gift idea! I could see this over a nice salad.