Are you sick and tired of the same old Easter ham? Try my Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham! This ham is different than anything you’ve ever had. The Weber Kettle Grill infuses it with hearty smoke, and every crevice is filled with a sweet, tangy glaze. A little Jack Daniels whiskey is the cherry on top!
This recipe uses Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle Rub, my best-selling ingredient for chefs who want to make a statement. With a blend of high-quality peppers and honey notes, you can’t go wrong. It adds a little pizzazz to meat and veggies.
My Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham is the perfect recipe for Spring. Serve it for your next family dinner, Easter meal, or just because. It’s sure to get everyone talking.
Hams are one of the easiest things to smoke. They’re already cooked, so you only have to warm them through. However, a little thought goes a long way. A great bunch of ingredients can make or break your dinner. I love dreaming up new combinations for holiday meals; this one takes the cake!
Follow my easy method, and you’ll have a decadent ham ready to go in no time.
The Ingredients
You can’t beat a holiday ham with less than 10 ingredients! You probably have the sweet ingredients in your pantry already. Here’s what you need to add to your shopping cart.
- Spiral-sliced ham. When cooking ham with glaze, I prefer spiral-sliced varieties. The glaze can get in every bite, and it looks gorgeous! Plus, the outside pieces can get perfectly crisp. You do have to hold the meat together while seasoning it, but it’s worth the trouble.
- Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle Rub. This tasty rub gives you the best honey flavors without the char from the real deal. If you love sweet rubs with a bit of heat, you’ll want to grab a bottle. I use this blend on chicken, pork, beef, and seafood. There’s nothing else like it!
- Butter. A little butter thickens the glaze and gives it a silky-smooth texture. The butter caramelizes on the Weber Kettle Grill, adding a mysterious, deep flavor.
- Jack Daniels whiskey. There’s nothing like a good ol’ bottle of Jack! A dash of whiskey rounds out the glaze and adds interest. It’s the secret ingredient to a great Easter ham! Don’t worry; this ham is safe for everyone, as the alcohol cooks off.
- Light brown sugar. Brown sugar gives the glaze that sticky-sweet feel we all know and love. I prefer using light brown sugar because it’s mild in flavor, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
- Raspberry jam. Raspberries and whiskey..the unexpected flavor combo of the year! The tartness of the berries complements the heat in Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle Rub. When mixed with whiskey, it creates an out-of-this-world glaze. I used seedless raspberry jam as it gives the ham a smooth finish.
- Pure maple syrup. This is one ingredient you don’t want to skimp on. Natural, pure maple syrup has a richness that synthetic varieties can’t match. This ingredient creates a glossy ham that could win any BBQ competition.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the primary equipment I used for this cook. You can find more of my favorite accessories in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Kettle Grill. I cooked this Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham on the Weber Kettle Grill. This is an excellent pick if you want a simple, sturdy setup. Beginners love this pit because there aren’t a lot of bells and whistles. Weber produces high-quality pits that last for ages. This model is easy to store, making it perfect for small spaces. There are also a lot of fun accessories you can purchase, like the Vortex Chimney.
- Charcoal. I stoked the pit witH Royal Oak Charcoal and Royal Oak Tumbleweeds. This charcoal doesn’t use any fillers and produces pure, clean smoke. I use them just about every time with fabulous results.
The Process for Making Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham
You can find a detailed demonstration of this recipe in the video and recipe card. Here’s a quick rundown of how I pulled this Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham together.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Weber Kettle Grill with Royal Oak Charcoal and Royal Oak Tumbleweeds. I snaked charcoal around the edge of the pit, which is ideal for creating the perfect ham. I aimed for a temperature range of 350℉-375℉.
- Season the ham. I took the ham out of the package and discarded the included glaze package. I’ve got something else in mind! I patted the bottom of the ham dry and put down a good layer of Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle Rub.
- Start cooking. I filled an aluminum pan with about half an inch of water and placed it in the bottom of the pit. This step helps the ham retain its juices. Then, I laid the ham on a greased wire cooling rack and set it on the grill. I let the ham cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, rotating the meat every 30 minutes.
- Make the glaze. When the ham hit 125℉-130℉, I started making the whiskey raspberry glaze. I placed 2 tablespoons of butter in a Lodge cast iron skillet and let it melt on the Weber Kettle Grill. Then, I added 2 tablespoons of Jack Daniels whiskey and let the alcohol cook off for one minute. I stirred in the brown sugar and raspberry jam, letting the mixture melt. To finish the glaze, I added a dash of pure maple syrup. I shut the lid of the pit and let the flavors marinate.
- Glaze the ham., I generously basted the ham with glaze and let it cook for 30 more minutes. My ham had a total cook time of 2 hours. I took the ham off the Weber Kettle Grill and let it rest for 15 minutes. The only thing left was to dig in!
The Results
The Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham came off the grill with a gorgeous, sticky-sweet crust. The brown sugar and maple syrup ensured that the glaze caramelized to perfection. The ham was juicy inside, and every bite was infused with notes of hickory, fruit, and a little heat.
Serving Suggestions for Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham
My Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Ham will be the star of the show! A few side dishes will round out your plate, though. Here are some of my favorite sides.
- Green Bean Casserole. This decadent side dish is a must for any holiday. My variation contains two of my best-selling rubs. You can find the recipe in my Thanksgiving roundup.
- Smoked Pecan Pie. End your meal with a slice of warm Smoked Pecan Pie. This pie is easy to make and tastes like heaven. Add a scoop of ice cream, and you’re set!
- Blue Cheese Rosemary Mashed Potatoes. These delicious mashed potatoes combine tangy blue cheese with savory rosemary. They’re a great addition to any meal but shine during the holidays. Find the recipe here.
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months.
Equipment and Tools
Weber Kettle Grill, Royal Oak Charcoal, Royal Oak Tumbleweeds, Vortex Chimney, disposable cutting board, ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, Lodge cast iron skillet, ChefAlarm, wire cooling rack, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Brush, heavy-duty aluminum pan.
