Let your ham soak up the booze this holiday—literally. Learn how to make rum ham for a main dish that'll get everybody happy.
How to Make a (Really Easy!) Rum Ham
Updated on Oct. 04, 2024
Rum ham is a sweet-salty sensation that’s super simple to make. Even if you haven’t seen It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you should learn how to make rum ham solely for the impressive look and incredible taste.
To clear the air, yes, there’s alcohol—but no, this ham won’t get you drunk. With its long bake time, most of the alcohol cooks off, so you’re left with the pure sweet and spiced flavor of the Caribbean spirit.
First, let’s gather the ingredients.
Here’s What You’ll Need
- One 8-10 pound fully cooked, bone-in ham
- 3/4 cup rum
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon orange marmalade
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Now all it takes are three steps—three!—to make a show-stopping main dish.
Step 1: Prep and Bake the Ham
Get your roasting pan ready by lining it with foil. Then place the bone-in ham on a rack in the pan.
Score the surface of the ham, making diamond shapes approximately 1/2 inch deep. Scoring helps the meat absorb the star of the recipe—the glaze.
Brush the scored ham with 2 tablespoons of rum, then bake, uncovered, at 325° for 2 hours.
Step 2: Make the Glaze
All you have to do is mix and spoon! In a small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients, including the remaining rum. Once the ham has baked for 2 hours, remove it from the oven and spoon the glaze over ham.
Want to become an expert on all things homemade ham? Here’s your guide.
Step 3: Finish Baking and Serve
Return the ham to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes (or until a thermometer reads 140°). Here’s why you absolutely need a meat thermometer in your kitchen.
Then, allow the ham to rest for 15 minutes. If you want to dress it up, here are some ideas for simple garnishes:
- Pineapple
- Cherries
- Cloves
- Oranges
- Mango
Finally, it’s time to serve and slice. Not sure how best to carve up a bone-in ham? Check out our guide.
Love to Cook (and Bake) With Rum? Don't Miss Our Recipes for Rum Lovers!
My take on those boozy treats that weigh down suitcases returning from Jamaica, this moist cake packs a rum punch. You may wish to card your guests before serving. The longer the rum soaks in, the better—overnight is best. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey
Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum SaucePineapple, rum and sugar have a longstanding and flavorful relationship that takes on new meaning when you add ginger and butter and turn up the heat. —Jamie Miller, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Chocolate Rum BallsRoll these truffle-like rum balls in crushed Oreos to get just the right amount of crunch. They can be made three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I also tuck some in the freezer!
Pina ColadaVelvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make pina colada recipe can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Pear CakeThis pretty pear cake is bursting with luscious pear flavor. It's made with a few simple ingredients, and the simplicity of the recipe defies how it looks—with the confectioners' sugar drizzle, it appears far fancier than it is.
Classic Creme BruleeWith a caramelized topping and custardy filling, a creme brulee recipe will always bring an air of elegance to any dessert menu.
Grandma's Pecan Rum BarsMy grandmother handed down the recipe for these gooey bars that we all love. The candied cherries are a must. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama
Browned Butter Spice CookiesIf you like spice cake, you’ll love this recipe! Browned butter, dark chocolate and a splash of rum produce an unconventional spice cookie that’s guaranteed to please. —Kristin Kenney, Newport Beach, California
Caribbean Bread PuddingA completely unexpected dessert from the slow cooker, my bread pudding is loaded with wonderful tropical flavors. I like to garnish it with a slice of fresh pineapple, whipped cream and a cherry—just like a pina colada! —Elizabeth Doss, California City, California
Slow-Cooker Bananas FosterThe flavors of caramel, rum and walnut naturally complement fresh bananas in this version of a dessert classic. It's my go-to choice for any family get-together. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Coconut-Rum Cake PopsPlan your own tropical escape with these surprisingly light-tasting pops. Angel food cake is a nice change of pace.
Frosted Butter Rum Brickle BitesThe rum, real butter and toffee bits made these cookies my husband’s new favorite. If you’d like them less sweet, skip the frosting and sprinkle the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while still warm. —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan
Glazed Spiced Rum Pound CakesMy recipe makes two loaf-sized treats, perfect for sharing. The spiced rum flavor really comes through in both the cake and the glaze. —Christine Russell, Littleton, New Hampshire
Chocolate-Caramel Rum CoffeeThis decadent drink can stand alone as a final course or as a complement to dessert. Our family loves it for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Soft Rum CaramelsI adapted a family recipe to come up with these melt-in-your-mouth caramels. My husband and daughter eagerly volunteer to eat any scraps from the pan!
—Kelly-Ann Gibbons, Prince George, British Columbia
German Chocolate Tres Leches CakeI first tried tres leches cake while I was in Ecuador several years ago. Since then, I’ve changed it up by adding some of my favorite ingredients, namely chocolate and coconut. This version also has a splash of rum for an adults-only treat. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Coconut Rum BallsMy mom has made rum balls for as long as I can remember. They look beautiful on a dessert spread and can be packaged in a decorative tin as a gift. I substituted coconut rum for the traditional rum and added shredded coconut. —Jana Walker, Macomb, Michigan
New England Iced TeaWhile growing up in Massachusetts, my family spent summers at our cottage. These cocktails for the adults were a regional variation on Long Island iced tea, and they always showed up at clambakes on the beach. —Ann Liebergen, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Spiced Rum FruitcakeThis fruitcake not only can be made weeks ahead, it tastes better that way! You can substitute Brazil nuts, pecans and hazelnuts for the walnuts—or use a combination of nuts. —Jason Boor, Manchester, New York
Pumpkin TiramisuPut a twist on a classic dessert just in time for fall. Learn how to make pumpkin tiramisu filled with cozy flavors.
Spiced Hot Apple CiderDuring cool-weather season, my husband and I take this soul-warming drink outside by the fire pit. Our house smells amazing while the cider is simmering! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
Slow-Cooker Flan in a JarSpoil yourself or the people you love with these delightful portable custards. They are a cute take on the Mexican dessert classic. Tuck a jar into your lunchbox for a sweet treat. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cherry BounceSmooth and with the fragrant flavor of sweet cherries, this homemade cherry bounce recipe makes a wonderful holiday gift. For an additional treat, the drained cherries are delicious over vanilla ice cream. —Matt Warren, Mequon, Wisconsin
Passion Fruit HurricanesThis is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Eggnog CookiesCozy up during the holiday season with these soft and buttery eggnog cookies filled with warm spices and topped with a luxurious frosting.
Baba au Rhum CakesDry and candied fruit stud this baba au rhum. The rum is subtle, so it is suitable as a dessert or on a brunch buffet. —Diane Halferty, Tucson, Arizona
Banana NogDuring my family's annual cookie exchange, we ran out of our beloved eggnog...much to everyone's horror! So into the kitchen I went to create this cool, creamy treat. —Jennae LeFebvre, Aurora, Illinois. If you enjoyed this cocktail, then you must try this banana rum drink.
