Moist Oven-Baked Ham with Spiced Rum + Brown Sugar Glaze

Moist, tender, oven-baked ham glazed with a bold rum and Coke brown sugar glaze that caramelizes into a sticky, glossy finish. This glaze is inspired by a classic Cuba Libre cocktail – sweet cola, spiced rum, and lime. Perfect for the holidays, but easy enough for Sunday dinner, you’ll actually look forward to.

📝 Ingredients

• 5 lbs bone-in fully smoked half ham butt (skin trimmed (not the spiral one))
• 3 cups Coca-Cola (divided)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup spiced rum (or bourbon)
• Lemon slices and fresh sage leaves for garnish

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Remove the ham from the fridge and bring it to room temperature.
2. 2Make the brown sugar glaze. In a saucepan, whisk 2 cups of Coca-Cola, brown sugar, Dijon, lime juice, and salt.
3. 3Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the glaze has slightly thickened and reduced. Remove from the heat and stir in the rum. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Set aside.
4. 4Preheat the oven to 325°F.
5. 5Place the ham, flat side down, in a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of Coca-Cola into the pan. This will help to keep the steam in so the ham is super moist.
6. 6Cover completely in aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 130ºF.
7. 7In the last 25 minutes of baking time, remove the foil from the ham and brush the brown sugar glaze all over.
8. 8Place the ham back in the oven (without the foil) and continue baking until golden brown. The ham is fully cooked when a food thermometer reads 145°F internal temp. Careful not to overcook it, or you will end up drying it out.
9. 9Remove ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Slice the ham and serve with the leftover brown sugar glaze. Enjoy!