Tart cranberries, sweet oranges, seasonal spices, and a splash of bourbon come together to make this divine Cranberry Orange Marmalade. Serve on buttered toast or package as gifts to share with friends.
Begin by laying out a piece of cheesecloth (about 10 x 10 inches) onto your work surface.
Add a large pan to your stove. Cut a lemon in half and juice it into the pan, then place the squeezed halves onto the cheesecloth. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger to the cheesecloth. Use a piece of twine to bundle the cloth into a bag. Place the bag into the pan.
Cut each orange into 8 wedges. Then thinly slice each wedge to make small triangles. Remove and discard any seeds. Add the oranges and any juice to the large pan. Add the water to the pan.
Bring this mixture to a boil. Ensure the bag is submerged. Once boiling, turn down the heat and simmer for an hour or until the peel has completely softened. Stir often.
Remove the pan from the heat and lift out the bag. Set it to the side until cool enough to handle, then squeeze into the pan. You'll want to extract as much of the thick and sticky liquid from the lemon halves as you can. This will help to thicken your marmalade.
Add the sugar and cranberries to the pan. Stir to combine. Turn up the heat to bring the mixture back to a low boil. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until the jelly thickens.* Stir occasionally.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the bourbon. Let this cool for about 10 minutes, then stir again to redistribute the fruit. Ladle the mixture into hot sterilized jars. Seal with new lids and allow the marmalade to cool and set before using: about 1-2 days. (A boil bath is typically not needed here. The jar should self-seal.)
The marmalade is shelf-stable once sealed. Refrigerate after opening.
Notes
*To test the thickness of your jelly, place a small plate in the freezer. Spoon a bit of the marmalade onto the plate and let it set for a few minutes until cool. Run your finger through the marmalade. If the line remains, then the setting point has been achieved. If you're still not reaching your setting point, additional sugar can be added to help thicken the mixture.