Learn how to make a peach vanilla bourbon jam recipe with fresh peaches. Unique peach jam recipes are delicious on toast, for desserts, or use in oatmeal or yogurt. This is a peach jam recipe low sugar, so it has less sugar than traditional peach jam.

Peach Vanilla Bourbon Jam Recipe

I had no idea peaches grew in Ohio until we moved to the farm. I had always seen them being trucked in from somewhere in the south during early to mid summer.

The farm had an established orchard with apples, pears, plums, and peaches. We have about 20 peach trees, so we have a lot of peaches each year!

While we love to eat plain canned peaches, I also like to make unique peach jam recipes. This bourbon peach jam recipe is amazing.

I'm pretty sure angels were singing the first time I made it.

The vanilla pairs well with the peaches, and the whiskey brings out the vanilla flavor even more.

The alcohol in this vanilla bourbon peach jam cooks off, but you can also omit the alcohol if you wish. You can also make whiskey peach jam by using your favorite whiskey.

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Keep track of your favorite canning recipes in my printable canning journal binder.

What Type of Peaches are Best for Making Jam?

The best peaches for making a peach jam canning recipe are free ones. I'll use pretty much any variety that I can get for free.

However, if you are buying peaches to make a peach jam recipe with pectin, then look for clingstone peaches. The have a pit that clings to the flesh of the peach.

Clingstone peaches are a bit harder to get the pit free, but they are better suited for making a peach jam recipe low sugar. They are softer and sweeter than freestone peaches.

With that said, I really have no idea what kind of peaches we have in the orchard. I use what we grow or is given to us.

How Do You Peel Fresh Peaches for Jam?

Thankfully, it's very easy to peel peaches for making an easy peach jam recipe. Simply fill a large pan about half full with water and let it come to a boil.

Then use a small paring knife to cut an X on the bottom of each peach. Drop three to four peaches into the boiling water for 45 seconds.

Then remove the peaches and place in ice water for 20 to 30 seconds. The skin will slide right off.

I use a cooking spider to scoop the peaches out of the hot water.

I do want to note that if your peaches are not quite ripe, the peel will be very difficult to remove. It's best to use ripe peaches for your bourbon peach jam.

Leaving them in the hot water for 45 seconds is important, but I let mine sit in the ice water longer if I have to.

When you're making several batches of unique peach jam recipes and canning peaches, it's not always practical to let them sit for just 30 seconds.

How Do You Crush Peaches for Jam?

I don't recommend using a food processor to crush peaches for whiskey peach jam. We want bits of fruit, so you'll have to crush the peaches by hand.

I use a Kwik Kut serrated food chopper to mash my peaches to make my peach vanilla bourbon jam recipe. I love this tool and use it all the time.

You can also use a potato masher or wavy masher to mash fruit.

How Do You Keep Peach Jam From Turning Brown?

Like apples, peaches turn brown from oxidation. You can place the peaches in a bowl of cold water. Use 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water.

You can also use Fruit Fresh Preserver and follow the directions on the bottle.

As long as I don't need to let the peaches sit for more than a few minutes while I'm making this easy peach jam recipe, I do not use either one. Peaches don't brown as much as apples, so it doesn't bother me.

Can I Freeze Peaches to Make Jam Later?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze peaches to make a vanilla peach jam recipe later. I recommend peeling the peaches first.

Then you can mash them and place enough for one batch in a bag and freeze it or fill up reusable gallon sized freezer bags and make several batches.

Do You Need Pectin to Make Jam?

This peach vanilla bourbon jam recipe does need pectin. Peaches do have some natural pectin, but the natural pectin decreases as the peach gets ripe.

Since you need to use ripe peaches to peel them easier, the peaches will have lost some of their natural pectin.

Yes, it is possible to make peach jam without pectin, but this peach jam recipe with pectin should only be made with pectin.

For small batches that are not for canning, you can try using peaches to make chia seed jam recipe. This easy peach jam recipe is meant to be used right away and not preserved.

What Happens if You Add Less Sugar to Jam?

It's very important to follow safe canning recipes exactly. In regular cooking, you can simply reduce the sugar or replace it with a sugar substitute.

However, sugar can act like a natural preservative in canning recipes. This peach jam recipe with pectin also needs sugar to set up.

Pectin needs acid and sugar to gel. The acid, lemon juice, helps pull the natural pectin from the fruit. Sugar also helps the pectin gel because sugar pulls water away from the pectin.

Sugar also helps jam retain its color and flavor.

With that said, you can make a peach jam recipe low sugar by using Sure Jell for Less or No Sugar Needed Recipes.

This is a very different formula that does not need as much sugar to make this unique peach jam recipe.

Do not use regular Sure Jell in the yellow box or bulk pectin because it will not set up right.

Why Add Whiskey or Bourbon to a Peach Jam Recipe With Pectin?

Have you ever made a chocolate dessert that called for coffee or espresso? Coffee brings out the chocolate flavor.

That's what whiskey and bourbon do to vanilla. In fact, I even make my vanilla extract in bourbon to use in some desserts.

Learn how to make your own vanilla extract from vanilla beans or make Instant Pot vanilla extract.

The alcohol in whiskey peach jam does cook off, so don't worry about serving to kids. I do realize that are many reasons to not want alcohol in the house. You can omit the alcohol and just use vanilla extract instead.

We don't drink often, so I usually make whiskey peach jam because we do usually keep a bottle of Crown Royal in the cabinet.

I did reserve some bourbon when I made vanilla extract and made peach vanilla bourbon jam recipe. Both are delicious. The bourbon has a deeper flavor, but not enough for me to buy a bottle that will take 10 years to finish.

How Long Does it Take for Bourbon Peach Jam to Set?

After you can your vanilla bourbon peach jam, give it 24 to 48 hours to set up. If it's not set up after that, then you can either recook it or accept that you'll have a runny peach jam recipe low sugar.

If it doesn't set up, learn how to fix runny jam with or without pectin.

How Long Does Homemade Bourbon Peach Jam Last?

Your bourbon peach jam should last for two years on the shelf if stored in a cool and dark location.

How to Use Vanilla Bourbon Peach Jam

I have never eaten unique peach jam recipes on bread or toast. I always use it in other ingredients, which is another reason I wanted a peach jam recipe low sugar.

Try this delicious easy peach jam recipe in one of the following ways:

Spread on toast, crackers, or biscuits.
Use it to naturally flavor Instant Pot cold start yogurt.
Make Instant Pot oatmeal and add this peach jam canning recipe for flavor.
This vanilla peach jam recipe is delicious on ice cream.
Spread it on pancakes or French toast.
Combine 8 ounce of cream cheese and 8 ounces of bourbon peach jam. Spread on crackers for a delicious snack or appetizer.

How to Freeze Whiskey Peach Jam

This is a peach jam canning recipe, but you can also freeze it. Simply follow the recipe and fill up freezer containers instead of jars. Leave a 1/2 inch headspace for the jam to expand when it freezes.

Let the easy peach jam recipe sit on the counter at room temperature for 24 hours before freezing.

Tips for Make Peach Jam Recipe With Pectin

Here are some tips to help you as you make this peach jam canning recipe:

This whiskey peach jam boils up. Use a bigger pot than you think you'll need.
Bring the peach jam recipe low sugar to a full boil. Stir it well; you should not be able to stir away the boil.
It's important to follow the directions carefully. If you do not boil it long enough or hot enough, it could get runny.
Do not double this recipe. If you want to make two batches, you can prepare and mash the fruit at the same time, but only cook one batch at a time. You can can both at the same time if they fit in your canner.
Runny jam is safe to eat. You can add more pectin and recan it or use it as is.
Use a thermometer to make sure the jam reaches 120 degrees F before adding the sugar. My grandmother used to just know. I need a thermometer.
Do a drop test to test the gel before canning. Place a glass plate in the freezer. Then place a spoonful of jam on the plate and place it in the freezer for two minutes. There should be a skin on top of the jam. It should form a wrinkle when you touch it.
Don't use more or less sugar that what is called for in the recipe.
When you're done boiling the jars, let the jars of bourbon peach jam sit on cooling racks or on a towel on the counter for 12 hours before moving.
Don't press down on the lids or remove the bands until the jars are cool.
You will need to water bath the jam. Some just turn the jars over, but this isn't safe. Learn about 11 canning mistakes that can kill you to be safe when canning.

I'm not going to get into the basics of canning in this post. But here's a list of my canning supplies for beginners. I also recommend learning why canning lids popped up to prevent a false seal.

Bourbon Peach Jam Ingredients and Supplies

You will need the following to make this peach jam canning recipe:

4 1/2 cups peaches, peeled (about 4 pounds of peaches)
3 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 box Sure Jell No Sugar Pectin
1 tablespoon whiskey or bourbon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Large bowls
Water bath canner
Jelly jars
Jar lifter
8 cup Pyrex measuring cup
Candy thermometer
Ball bubble popper and headspace ruler
Serrated food chopper
Dutch oven

Note: I originally made this with regular pectin, but I've adapted the recipe for low sugar pectin.

How to Make Peach Vanilla Bourbon Jam Recipe

Step #1

Wash and peel the peaches. I dunk them in boiling water for 45 seconds and then in an ice water bath. The skins should slide right off. Then use a serrated food chopper or potato masher to mash the peaches.

Step #2

Put the mashed peaches, lemon juice, and pectin in a dutch oven or large sauce pan. I sprinkle the pectin on the peaches so it doesn't clump. Cook on high heat until it boils. Stir constantly; you should not be able to stir down the boil.

Step #3

When the peaches come to a full boil, pour in the sugar and keep stirring. Let it come to a full boil that you can't stir down. Boil for one minute. Use a candy thermometer to make sure it's at 120 degrees F or perform the freezer test.

Step #4

Remove the vanilla bourbon peach jam from heat. Add the whisky or bourbon and vanilla extract. Stir well.

Step #5

Ladle the peach jam recipe low sugar into prepared jelly jars. Leave a 1/4 inch headspace. Use the bubble popper to remove bubbles. Wipe the tops of the jars and place lids on the jars. Add a band and tighten to finger tip tight.

Use your jar lifter to place the jars in the canner. If your canner isn't full, add some empty jars just to prevent the jars from tipping over.

Step #6

Process in a water bath for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and remove the lid from the canner. Let the jars sit for 5 minutes. Then remove them with the jar lifter and place on cooling racks or on a towel. Let rest for 24 to 38 hours until they gel.

Jam didn't set up? Learn how to fix runny jam with or without pectin.

Keep track of your canning recipes with my printable canning binder. There are 29 pages for recipes, lists, notes, inventory, conversion charts, planning, and more.

I hope you enjoy this unique peach jam recipe!

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Vanilla Bourbon Peach Jam Recipe Low Sugar