Boozy Peach Jam Recipes

GIN AND JAM

Steps:

• Combine the gin, jam and some ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds, then strain into a coupe glass. Top with a splash of sparkling water. Serve immediately.
• Combine the peaches, sugar and lemon juice in a nonreactive medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, mashing the peaches occasionally with a potato masher, until the mixture thickens and sticks to a spoon, about 20 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the raspberries. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Transfer the jam to a nonreactive container with a lid and refrigerate until ready to use. The jam will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

STONE FRUIT JAM

Steps:

• Toss fruit and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight, tossing periodically to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the skins burst and the juices start to boil, 10 to 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot now.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula at first and more frequently as juices thicken until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, about 25 to 35 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on the type of fruit and how ripe it is. (For example, peaches are likely to retain their shape, while plums and apricots will break down almost entirely.)
• As the jam cooks, the liquid reduces, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles. This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• When the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and any of the add-ins (see note). Continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam has returned to its previously thickened state, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook it a few minutes more.
• Remove from heat, and pick out vanilla bean, if you added it earlier. Divide between jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of the jar, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them up within a couple of weeks.

FRESH SPICED PEACH JAM

Steps:

• Heat five 12-ounce jars in simmering water until ready for use. Wash lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Mix peaches, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in a large pot. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring occasionally, until peaches are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Mash peaches with an immersion blender or potato masher to desired size and texture. Return to the heat; continue cooking jam until thickened, about 10 minutes more.
• Pack jam into hot jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean, damp cloth. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower in jars using a holder, placing them 2 inches apart. Pour in more boiling water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, about 12 hours. Press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that lid does not move up or down and seal is tight.

BOOZY APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Inspect 9 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Finely chop apricots and measure; you should have 5 cups prepared fruit. Transfer apricots to a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in pectin and slowly bring mixture to a full rolling boil. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Return to a full rolling boil over high heat and boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Skim off any foam with a ladle or a large spoon.
• Remove from heat and stir in the apricot brandy.
• Pack apricot jam into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

BOURBON, PEACH AND GINGER JAM

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the peaches, sugar and ginger. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring every couple minutes. Pour in the bourbon, lemon juice and zest. Simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir every couple minutes to prevent scorching. Stir in the salt. Store refrigerated for up to 1 month.

DRUNKEN PEACHES (CANNING)

Steps:

• Bring the canner full of water to a boil. Cut an X on the bottom of each peach and blanch them in the canning water for 30 to 45 seconds, then drop them into ice water to chill. Slip the skins off when they are cool enough to handle.
• Make a syrup by heating the sugar and water together in a sauce pan, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cut each peeled peach into quarters, remove the pits, and pack them into the warm pint jars, overlapping them to fit. I get seven peach quarters in each jar, plus one leftover quarter I can eat.
• Add 1/4 Cup brandy to each jar of peaches. Add hot syrup to each jar, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Move a knife around in each jar to release any bubbles, then top off with more syrup if necessary. You will probably have extra syrup, but save it for sweetening other products or fruit mixtures.
• Process filled jars in a boiling water bath for 25 minutes (sea level). Let the jars rest for at least a week to develop best flavor.