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    Home Β» Side Dishes Β» Mojito Cranberry Sauce

    Oct 26, 2017 Β· Modified: Nov 1, 2020 by Sues Β· This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads Β· View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer Β· 20 Comments

    Mojito Cranberry Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Take your traditional holiday cranberry sauce and give it a cocktail twist! Rum, mint, and lime juice star in this Mojito Cranberry Sauce, perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

    Overhead view of a bowl of mojito cranberry sauce with lime wedge and mint garnish surrounded by fresh cranberries with recipe title at top

    Guys, I think I'm officially old. I mean, I could totally list a million reasons why, but nothing demonstrates it better than my Saturday night. Basically, I spent Saturday night at home cleaning my house. Sign #1 I am no longer a spring chicken.

    Chris went to pick Winnie up from the groomer while I put on my yoga pants, grabbed a seltzer water, and ran around dusting and tidying. Wild and crazy Saturday night! At one point, I decided I needed to get rid of the 8031 books on my bedroom nightstand and move them to the bookshelf in our family room.

    So, I grabbed a stack and headed down the stairs. But somehow my shoe slipped on one of the top steps and I fell alllll the way down. On my butt. My shoes came off, books went flying, and I literally laid on the stairs crying, unable to move. It hurt so badly. I finally pulled myself together and limped my way back upstairs to lay down on the bed, which hurt even more.

    And now, here we are 5 days later and my butt is absolutely killing me. It hurts to sit. It hurts to walk. It hurts to bend over to pick something up off the floor. And I feel like such an old lady. Not only did I fall down the stairs, but I did so carrying a stack of books. While cleaning. On a Saturday night. Also, no alcohol was involved. Just seltzer water.

    When Chris got home, he actually said, "We should get an Amazon Alexa so if something like that ever happens again, you can just say 'Alexa, call 911.'" Like, really?? Am I at LifeAlert status now??

    Still, I promise... I still know how to have fun! Look! You know I still love my cocktails. And adding beer, wine, and liquor to many of my recipes. And now, I've made cranberry sauce with rum in it. Mojito Cranberry Sauce, if you will.

    You see... years and years ago, I made Cranberry Mojitos for the holidays and they've ended up being one of my most popular cocktail recipes over the years.

    Last year, my cranberry obsession grew and I made my own cranberry juice at least four times over the course of the winter (and this delicious hot spiced cranberry cocktail).

    I've been so excited that cranberries are back in season again and I've been dreaming of my Cranberry Mojitos for weeks. And then it hit me, why not enjoy my mojitos in cranberry sauce form, too? So, I did.

    Mojito Cranberry Sauce Recipe

    Cranberry sauce tends to be a bit polarizing with people either loving or hating it (and some preferring only the canned variety). I absolutely love all things tart, so I'm always on board with it... It wouldn't be Thanksgiving or Christmas without cranberry sauce!

    But how you make it totally matters. If you aren't really a fan of the normal stuff, I recommend kicking it up a bit with rum, mint, and lime juice.

    Start with some beautiful fresh cranberries!

    Overhead view of fresh cranberries in a strainer

    All you have to do is combine the cranberries with sugar, water, rum, lime zest and juice, and mint.

    Bring the mixture to a boil and then let simmer for about 10 minutes., until cranberries start bursting.

    Cranberries, sugar, mint, and lime zest in saucepan

    Once you remove from the heat, you'll stir in a little bit more rum (because why not?!) and some more lime zest and mint.

    Obviously we've got some major Christmas colors going on here. But that doesn't mean mojito cranberry sauce is a Christmas only side dish. And with Thanksgiving just four weeks away (hold me!), I know lots of people are already starting to meal plan.

    My family is quite traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving, meaning we have our favorite dishes and find it tough to veer and add new dishes without going overboard.

    But I might have to put out a petition to get this cranberry sauce added to the menu this year. Hoping I'll get enough votes for it to pass! Our Thanksgiving consists of 8 adults and 2 toddlers all who don't even love cranberry sauce, so something tells me I can get this one through.

    Overhead closeup landscape view of a bowl of mojito cranberry sauce with lime wedge and mint garnish surrounded by fresh cranberries and mint

    More Unique Cranberry Sauce Ideas

    If mojitos aren't your favorite cocktail, but you like the idea of a boozy cranberry sauce, here are a few other ideas:

    • Cosmopolitan Cranberry Sauce: since cosmos are already cranberry based, just add vodka and lime with a little cointreau
    • Margarita Cranberry Sauce: use tequila, lime, and orange cointreau (or simply orange juice)
    • Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce: use bourbon and orange juice
    • Moscow Mule Cranberry Sauce: use vodka, ginger, and lime

    Who knew so many cocktails made for such delicious cranberry sauces??

    Now, if you're someone who thinks you don't like cranberry sauce because you never have, I'm begging you to please try this mojito cranberry sauce!

    Love for tart flavors can often grow as you get older and while kids often scrunch their little faces up to sour, you might find that you actually enjoy it as an adult. Or that foods you thought were ridiculously tart actually aren't anymore.

    Though my three-year-old nephews seriously love sucking on lemon and lime wedges, so I'm sure the opposite can be true, too. My theory is that it's always good to occasionally try foods you think you hate because you never know how your tastes have changed.

    Head-on closeup view of mojito cranberry sauce in a bowl with lime wedge and mint garnish topped with lime zest

    Also? You can always make cranberry sauce sweeter by adding more sugar! I didn't use a ton of sugar in this recipe (compared to other cranberry sauce recipes) because I like tartness and wanted to mojito flavor to be the star, but there's nothing wrong with adding a little more sweetness.

    We also need to talk about the mojito flavor! Don't worry, the rum isn't overpowering in this sauce, but it's definitely present, along with the lime juice and mint. This side dish truly tastes like cranberry mojito cocktails and I couldn't be more excited about it.

    Overhead view of a bowl of mojito cranberry sauce with lime wedge and mint garnish surrounded by fresh cranberries

    At the risk of sounding even more lame than I already do, after I took my fall down the stairs on Saturday, I sat (uncomfortably) on the couch and ate this straight out of the bowl for dessert. And it was perfect.

    And I'm officially at the age where my idea of the ideal Saturday night involves cranberry sauce. Huh.

    Additional Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas

    If you're looking for more ideas for fun Thanksgiving side dishes, check out some of my other recipes:

    • Loaded Mashed Potatoes in Jars
    • Skillet Green Bean Casserole
    • Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate, Pancetta, and Feta
    • Ginger Coconut Whipped Sweet Potatoes

    And be sure to check out my comprehensive guide on cooking Thanksgiving turkey to ensure that your main dish is also perfectly delicious.

    I also really want to add this Cheddar Herb Sweet Potato Mash from Ginger with Spice to my Thanksgiving menu!

    Are you planning Thanksgiving dinner yet? What kind of cranberry dish do you typically enjoy?

    Mojito Cranberry Sauce -- Take your traditional holiday cranberry sauce and give it a cocktail twist! Rum, mint, and lime juice star in this Mojito Cranberry Sauce, perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner | wearenotmartha.com

    Mojito Cranberry Sauce

    Take your traditional holiday cranberry sauce and give it a cocktail twist! Rum, mint, and lime juice star in this Mojito Cranberry Sauce, perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Cranberry Sauce, Thanksgiving Food, Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Chill Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Makes: 6 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries (1 bag)
    • ΒΎ cup granulated sugar
    • β…“ cup water
    • 3 Tbsp, plus 2 tsp rum
    • 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 2 tsp lime zest, divided
    • 1 Tbsp, plus 1 tsp chopped fresh mint

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, 3 Tbsp rum, lime juice, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1 Tbsp chopped mint. Stir to combine.
    • Over medium heat, bring mixture to a boil and then lower heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes minutes, until cranberries start bursting.
    • Remove saucepan from heat and stir in remaining 2 tsp rum, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1 tsp chopped mint.
    • Let cranberry sauce cool a bit before placing in fridge to cool completely. It will thicken up as it chills.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
    This Mojito Cranberry Sauce adds a fun twist to an otherwise traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas table | wearenotmartha.com #mojitos #cranberrysauce #thanksgivingrecipes #cranberries
    Looking for a unique Thanksgiving side dish? This Mojito Cranberry Sauce is a fun holiday side! | wearenotmartha.com #thanksgivingsides #holidayrecipes #cranberrysauce #cranberries #boozy
    Mojito Cranberry Sauce -- Take your traditional holiday cranberry sauce and give it a cocktail twist! Rum, mint, and lime juice star in this Mojito Cranberry Sauce, perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner | wearenotmartha.com
    Mojito Cranberry Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katerina Delidimou says

      October 27, 2017 at 6:55 am

      I simply adore mojito and I am sure I would love this sauce too!

    2. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

      October 29, 2017 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      I've never heard of a cranberry sauce as fun as this!! I love rum and mojitos and this would be a fun change to the same ol' same ol!! Sorry to hear you fell down the stairs. I hope you're feeling better.

    3. Tina says

      October 29, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      What a great combo! I love lime and mint together and cranberries too:) I can tell this dish is amazing.

    4. Brandi says

      October 29, 2017 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes please! I love cranberry sauce. Adding rum makes it that much better.

    5. Ginny McMeans says

      October 29, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      This is really smart. Love the addition of rum. I'll be making this!

    6. Helene says

      October 29, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Mojito, lime juice, mint, cranberry I can see how this is a game changer. Sounds fantastic! ?

    7. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      October 29, 2017 at 8:23 pm

      When I was growing up my parents always complained about how sore they got on road trips and I was like "I'm NEVER going to be that old." And guess who's a total baby when it comes to sitting for hours at a time now? Getting old is NOT FUN! But I love this cranberry sauce! I'm all about new twists on old favorites πŸ™‚

    8. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

      October 30, 2017 at 1:05 am

      I can feel your pain as I have fallen down our stairs twice! Go and see a chiropracter. This recipe is perfect for Christmas πŸ™‚

    9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:57 am

      I'm normally not a fan of cranberry sauce, but I would definitely make an exception for this version! Yay for mojitos! Pass me a spoon, please!

    10. [email protected] says

      October 30, 2017 at 9:01 am

      5 stars
      Mojito is my favorite cocktail but I've never thought to add the flavors to my cranberry sauce! Love this, my friend! So creative!

    11. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      October 30, 2017 at 10:14 am

      This is just brilliant, Sues!! I love homemade cranberry sauce and this would be so good on my turkey sandwich with those Christmas leftovers!

    12. kristy @ the wicked noodle says

      October 30, 2017 at 10:27 am

      I love the twist on flavors!! Mojitos are one of my favorite cocktails and the flavor will be sooo good with cranberries. Love it!!

    13. Colleen says

      October 30, 2017 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      OK, how are we not friends?? I have too many stories like this (hope you heal fast!) AND I add booze to everything, lol! LOVE this recipe, Pinning and trying! (Found your from a thread on FBC) πŸ™‚

    14. peter @feed your soul too says

      October 30, 2017 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      I am really digging the mojito spin on this holiday classic. Brings in a really neat flavor!

    15. Reeni says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:49 pm

      Hope you're feeling better!! I did the same thing a few days ago but only down the last 4 stairs. I love how you gussied up cranberry sauce!! So creative and delicious!

    16. Colleen says

      October 30, 2017 at 8:06 pm

      This is such a cool twist on cranberry sauce! Trying this for sure!

    17. Tiffany says

      October 31, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      I like how you jazzed up this cranberry sauce! Perfect for Thanksgiving.

    18. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

      October 31, 2017 at 10:16 pm

      5 stars
      Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving. This looks amazing! Really spices things up!

    19. Catalina says

      November 21, 2017 at 12:46 am

      5 stars
      This is so perfect! πŸ™‚ love mojitos in any form lol

    Trackbacks

    1. Host a Holiday Dinner: Menu Brainstorming | Slumber and Scones says:
      August 2, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      […] Mojito Cranberry Sauce from We Are Not Martha […]

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    Hi and thanks for visiting! I started We are not Martha to show you how to make recipes that impress without stress, including easy weeknight dinners, delightful desserts, + lots of cocktails.

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