Homemade Peach Preserves With Bourbon

Bourbon Peach Preserves
Small batch canning is perfect to make peach preserves with bourbon. You can make a little of this preserve and enjoy this on your toast, on ice cream and even in a pastry for turnovers. This is a low sugar recipe for that we used with our FreshTek Jam and Jelly Maker, making it super simple to make.
You can make this with fresh peaches from your peach tree, the market or the store. You will want to use ripe peaches as they will give you the best flavor in the homemade peach preserves.
The ripe peaches should be sliced peaches and the into small chucks. This will allow for even cooking and allow for easier use once you have made your peach preserves. You can use a potato masher to help crush the peaches. The peaches will get juicy, this is perfect.
Once the peach preserves are in mason jars (we use half pint jars as half pint jars), you will want to process the jars in a water bath. This will insure that the sterilized jars set properly.
If you do not want to use bourbon, substitute equal amounts of water.
You also need to put the butter in the preserve. The butter prevents the preserves from boiling over and causing foam. If foam does occur, skim it off.
Store peach preserves in cool dry cupboard/pantry.

What is Small Batch Canning?
This recipe makes 4-5 half pints. This allows you to enjoy a small amount of preserves, jams and jellies of different varieties. Perfect for gift giving or rotating what jellies and jams you have year round.

Do You Need to Peel Your Fresh Peaches?
You could blanch the peaches in hot water and then peel them, if that is what you prefer. You could leave the skins on (washed of course), if you want extra texture.

Can You Use Frozen Fruit?
You can use frozen peaches if you do not have fresh fruit, but they should be thawed. Using frozen would change the cooking time if not thawed.
Can You Make Peach Jam Instead of Preserve With This Recipe?
Yes, you would want to puree the peaches so it’s not chunky with an immersion blender. Peach preserves are chunky, while jam would be pureed. Jelly would be strained and more effort. Make sure the fruit measurement is done once pureed.

How Long Do Peach Preserves Last?
Once you process your peach preserve, you can keep it for one year. You will want to label and date your jars. By making small batches, you can give them as gifts or use them throughout the year.

Can You Make Preserves From Frozen Peaches?
We prefer fresh peaches for canning. But yes you can use frozen peaches. Frozen peaches should be peeled and thawed before making homemade peach preserves.
Small Batch Peach Bourbon Preserve
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups chopped ripe peaches
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 Tablespoons low sugar pectin
- 1/2 teaspoon butter
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 1/3 cup water (use 2/3 cups water if you don't use bourbon)
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Add the pectin to your canner
- Add the fruit, bourbon, butter, lemon juice & water to the canner.
- Turn on the canner for Jam for 24 minutes.
- When the canner beeps, add the sugar and cover.
- While the fruit processes, gather your jars and utensils to prepare to put the jam into the jars.
- When the canner beeps, it's done and ready to can.
- Remove the stirring blade with a pot holder/oven mitt.
- Place the funnel on the jar and fill, leaving 1/4" headspace.
- Wipe the jar rim with a clean wet towel.
- Place the seal on the jar and hand tighten the band.
- Water bath can the jars for 10 minutes.
- Date and label the jars.
Instructions without Jam & Jelly Maker
- Add the fruit, bourbon, butter, lemon juice, water and sugar.
- Stir together and allow to reach a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
- While the jam is processing (and before it begins to boil, gather your jars and utensils to prepare to put the jam into the jars.
- When the jam reaches a roiling boil, add the pectin and bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute and remove from heat.
- Place the funnel on the jar and fill, leaving 1/4" headspace.
- Wipe the jar rim with a clean wet towel.
- Place the seal on the jar and hand tighten the band.
- Water bath can the jars for 10 minutes..
- Date and label the jars
Video

Notes
