Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham

Nothing says holiday celebration quite like a beautiful glazed ham coming out of the smoker. The maple bourbon glaze creates this gorgeous, glossy finish that's sweet, slightly boozy, and absolutely irresistible. Every time I make this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, it becomes the centerpiece that everyone gathers around.

This ham is obviously perfect for holiday dinners, but don't limit yourself to just those occasions. It's wonderful for Easter brunch, graduation parties, or any large family gathering. The leftovers are half the fun - ham sandwiches, ham and eggs, ham fried rice - the possibilities are endless.

Traditional holiday sides pair beautifully with this ham. Scalloped potatoes or a cheesy potato casserole are essential in my family. Green bean casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, or glazed carrots add color and vegetables to the spread. A sweet potato casserole with pecans echoes the maple sweetness nicely.

The maple bourbon glaze is perfect as written, but variations abound. Swap the bourbon for rum for a slightly different flavor profile. Add some Dijon mustard for a tangy kick that balances the sweetness. A touch of ground cloves or cinnamon adds warm spice notes that feel especially festive.

Since the ham is already cooked, you're really just warming it through and building that beautiful glaze. The key is patience with the glazing process - multiple thin layers create a better finish than one thick application. Score the fat in a diamond pattern to let the glaze penetrate and create those gorgeous caramelized edges.