Rum and Coca Cola Glazed ham is simple and delicious Don’t be put off by the thought of a coke ham glaze as this is one ham glaze recipe you will want in your Christmas recipe collection.
Another year, another boozy baked ham. Long time readers may have now worked out I like a dash or two of alcohol when it comes to glazing the Christmas ham.
So far I have shared with you my dark and stormy baked ham, and my peach and bourbon glazed baked ham. Both wonderful in their own rights, but this year I wanted to go for something a little different but keep it boozy.
Heading back to the bar drinks theme, I thought why not rum and coke? At first mention you may be turning your nose up at the thought of using coca cola in a ham glaze, don’t.
Instead have a think of the aromatics that go into making cola. I made my own cola syrup a while back, it was an educational experience. From the process I learned that a mix of spices and citrus make up cola flavour. I elevated these flavours with orange juice and peel, plus a generous dollop of marmalade.
As with my past Christmas ham glaze recipes, this rum and coca cola glazed ham doesn’t have an extensive ingredient list. A simple baked ham recipe with a five ingredient glaze.
Your baked ham will end up being finger licking sticky. The finished ham will be a little darker than most baked hams, and to be expected. The cola glaze is basically black.
Everyone was surprised and blown away with the taste. We found ourselves using excess glaze as a drizzle sauce with slices of the finished ham, it was that good.
Rum and Coca Cola Glazed Ham Recipe Hazard Zones
There are two hazard zones you need to be aware of for this rum and coca cola glazed ham. The first is removing the skin from your ham leg.
Run your fingers under the skin of the ham, between the fat layer and the skin. You will find that the skin will slowly separate from the fat layer. Take it slow, don’t rush it. Do not remove the fat.
Once you have removed the skin from the ham, with a sharp knife score the fat of the ham in a diamond shape. In the above image, the red arrow is pointing to the hard to see scoring.
The next hurdle is making sure you baste this baby well. Baste every 10 – 15 minutes while it is in the oven. You want a thick, luscious, sticky glaze.
Special Equipment for this recipe
Nothing all that special. Though you will need a heavy based saucepan and a baking dish.
Special ingredients for Rum and Coca Cola Glazed Ham
The ingredients are all pantry staples. Except maybe for the coca cola. Yes it does need to be coke, no substitutes. Pepsi will not win this taste challenge.
I’m afraid if you don’t drink alcohol this may not be the ham glaze recipe you are looking for. Do note that most of the alcohol (if not all) is cooked out when simmering the glaze.
What to do with any leftovers
I deal with my excess ham in a couple of ways. I slice up a lot and place it in a vacuum sealed container for the family to help themselves for sandwiches etc. If I don’t slice the ham and make it easy for them, it doesn’t get eaten.
You can also cut off large chunks of leftover ham from the bone. These are either placed in a vacuum sealed bag for later, or I freeze it. Yes, you can freeze cooked ham.
Another suggestion is to finely dice the ham and freeze it in ½ cup portions. You can then easily defrost it down the track for quiches, frittatas, omelettes, jaffles, and even soup, the list goes on!
I do hope you enjoy this year’s Christmas ham glaze. If you do end up making my rum and coca cola glazed ham do let me know via Instagram or Twitter. I would love to see how you go.
Sara xxx
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Other Christmas main course recipes you’ll love
Peach and Bourbon Glazed Baked Ham – Christmas ham with a sweet bourbon kick
Aussie Pork Rack – the taste of Australia at the Christmas dinner table
Prosciutto wrapped Turkey Breast – the tarragon citrus butter will make you melt
Dark and Stormy Baked Ham – a ham as moody and deep as the drink
PIN ME TO SAVE THE RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1 Litre Coca Cola - no substitutes, it has to be coca cola
- 200 grams (¾ cup) dark brown sugar
- 170 grams (½ cup) orange marmalade
- 185 mls (¾ cup) dark rum
- 1 orange - juice and peel (minimum pith)
- 1 3kg ham leg on the bone
Instructions
- Place coca cola, brown sugar and marmalade in a large heavy based saucepan. Place over medium heat and mix well. Once sugar and marmalade have dissolved bring to a hard simmer.
- Simmer the coca cola mixture, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced by two thirds. This will take 30-40 minutes. While the mixture simmers, prepare your ham, see notes below.
- To the coca cola mixture add rum, orange juice, and orange peel. Stir to combine.
- Simmer mixture until it has reduced and thickened. This will take approximately 15 minutes. Once reduced remove from heat.At this time pre heat your oven to 180°C (360°F)
- Place prepared ham in a lined oven baking dish.
- Brush ham liberally with glaze and place in the oven on the middle shelf.
- Continue to brush the ham liberally every 10-15 minutes with glaze and pan juices.
- Bake hame for 1 - 1 hour 20 minutes.
- The ham is ready when well browned, glossy and there are a couple of slightly charred pieces.
- To serve ham place on a suitably sized serving plate and carve at the table.
Preparing the ham
- Run your fingers under the skin of the ham, between the fat layer and the skin. You will find that the skin will slowly separate from the fat layer. Take it slow, don’t rush it. Do not remove the fat.
- Once you have removed the skin from the ham, with a sharp knife score the fat of the ham in a diamond shape. Try not to cut into the meat of the ham, you want to just score the fat.
Notes
What Size Ham?
I have stipulated a 3kg ham in the ingredients list. Buy a ham that is the right size for the amount of people you are feeding. The below ham sizes will give you an idea of the ham size you need to feed your tribe. 3kg: 10-14 serves4kg: 12-16 serves
5kg: 15-20 serves
6kg: 18-22 serves
7kg: 20-25 serves
8kg: 23-27 serves This recipe makes enough glaze for any of the above size hams.
James
It looks tasty and delicious. I will definitely try this and cook for my friends. I’m sure they will empress and its good to think that coke its not only for drinking who can fulfill your thirst but its an ingredient to make a dish looks great and delicious.