Fine Beverage Recipe: Holiday Spiced Ham with Cola

As the Hungry Mutineer I’ve been playing around with a recipe that has both freaked me out and interested me in equal parts; ham cooked in soda. It sounds strange, I know but trust me it completely rocks. I chose a natural cola from Virgil’s Micro Brewed Soda and cooked it up holiday style by adding a few fragrant spices. You can use whatever cola you like, just be sure it is real cane sugar [Jones Soda / Red Bull Cola]. This is important, an artificial sweetener will not produce the syrupy liquid that you will use for basting, plus it just tastes better.

Give this recipe a try for your holiday party, your hungry friends will thank you.

Holiday Spiced Ham and Cola

1. Place your ham in a large pot and add in the cola, cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns.
2. Simmer over medium low heat for about 2 hours.
3. When the time is up, carefully remove the ham from the cola and place on a large baking pan. Cool for a few minutes until it is time to cut the crosshatching into the ham.
4. Preheat your oven to 450F.
5. Using a sharp knife, cut a crosshatch pattern into the ham, (optional).
6. Place the ham in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until the outside is nice and crisp.
7. While the ham is baking, bring your ham simmering liquid to a boil and reduce the ham simmering liquid by about 3/4 until it is the consistency of a syrup.
8. Strain to remove any solids and serve with the ham.
9. When the ham is ready, remove it from the oven. Carefully, place the ham on a cutting board and allow the meat to rest for ten minutes or so before slicing and serving.

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