If using fresh cranberries, rinse them thoroughly and discard any shriveled or brown ones. Then, place the cranberries in a medium saucepan. (If using frozen cranberries, you don’t need to rinse or thaw them.)
Add the sugar, water, orange zest and juice. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberry mixture starts to simmer, about 10 minutes.
Decrease the heat to medium-low and stir occasionally, cooking until the berries burst and the liquid thickens the desired amount, 5 to 10 minutes. (Keep in mind the sauce will thicken as it cools.) Remove from the heat. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.
Notes
Balance the flavor with salt. If you find your sauce is a little too tart for your taste, add a pinch (about ⅛ teaspoon) of salt to balance the flavors. This is an easy way to tamp down the tartness of the cranberries without adding more sugar!
Feel free to adjust the sugar depending on your taste preference. Reduce the sugar by using up to ¼ cup less for a tarter flavor, or increase it by up to ¼ cup for added sweetness. Taste and adjust as you go to find your perfect sugar ratio.