Ready for the ultimate blackberry jam recipe? Try this Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam that is great as a spread, drizzled over pancakes, or even as a topping for ice cream! This jam is a delicious blend of ripe blackberries, rich vanilla, and a hint of bourbon!

Over the last few years I have experimented with whipping up new jams and jellies with fruits and peppers from the garden. I wanted to try something different this year so I made this Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam and let me tell you…delicious. A little sweet, super flavorful, and can use it for breakfast, to grill with, or dessert!
Blackberries, vanilla beans, bourbon, and lemon make for an unconventional and delicious jam spread. It’s perfect to elevate your brunch and pantry. It’s basically having a Bourbon Smash in the form of jam. Feel free to play around with the ingredients and make yourself a new go-to jam flavor.

This Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam would be great on a English Muffin, smothered on top or inside of a grilled burger, or even over some vanilla ice cream as dessert! We had ours on some ham sandwiches and my Mother in Law even made Monte Cristo’s with it!
Super easy to make too with just FIVE ingredients and about 25 minutes of cooking time. I didn’t process the jars but I did freeze some in smaller portions. This only makes about 2 jars of blackberry jam but if you want to preserve them, I have included how to do so later in the post, too!

What you need for this Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam
- Blackberries
- Bourbon of choice ( I used Blanton’s)
- vanilla extract
- lemon (zest and juice)
- sugar

How to Make Blackberry Bourbon Jam
First start by washing and tossing your blackberries in a strainer. Place them in a large sautee pan or pot. Take a wooden spoon or I used my mashed potato masher and begin to mash the blackberries lightly so that they can break open.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixture and begin to stir, then leave the mixture for 10 minutes.

After the ten minutes, begin to cook it over medium-high heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Then turn to low and let simmer for about 25 minutes. Check the jam’s consistency by placing some jam on a cold plate, leaving it to cool for 30 seconds. Then, run your finger through the jam to see its consistency. If you would like the jam to be thicker, continue to boil the mixture for longer.

Once the jam is to your liking ladle into jars of choice, freezable containers, or read on on how to process the jars in a water bath.
How to use this Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam
This Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam is not only tasty, it’s versatile as well. You can use the jam to sandwich cookies together, or in combination with cheese, or simply to elevate an otherwise classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich to a whole new level. Spread over cream cheese for a perfect appetizer or even use as a glaze on some Smoked Meatballs!

How to can jam
Fill a pot with water and place two 8 oz jars in the water with the lids. Set the pot to a boil, making sure that the jars and lids are fully submerged. Let boil to sterilize for about 10 minutes. Ladle hot jam into jars and then remove any access liquid or jam from the top of the jars. Place on the lids and seals and screw until tight. Take a pair of tongs and pick up the jars and put them back in the pot to boil for an additional 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, take the jars and place them on a towel. Allow the jars to cool until you hear a sound that’s like a ping- then you will know that the jars are properly sealed. Then when you push down using your finger on the top of the jar, you won’t be able to hear any noise. This is the indicator that the jars are sealed if you didn’t hear the ping sound.
Frequently asked questions for this blackberry jam recipe no pectin
What thickens jam without pectin?
Fruit has natural pectin and the addition of sugar and lemon juice will help thicken this jam. Also the cooking time, the longer you simmer it, the constancy will thicken.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just grab a couple extra jars and more ingredients!
Can I freeze this blackberry jam?
Yes! Use what you want within a few days or add to a zip-lock bag or freezer friendly container and freeze for later!
PIN IT on Pinterest!

Like this blackberry jam recipe? Check out my:

Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam
Ingredients
Method
- Wash blackberries and strain.
- In a large Sautee pan add the blackberries and mash a bit with a wooden spoon or masher.
- Add in the bourbon, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sugar and stir. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook the blackberry mixture over medium high heat until it begins to boil.
- Reduced heat to low and let simmer for about 25 minutes until desired thickness.
- If using within a few days let cool and refrigerate.
- If wanting to process to preserve for later, ladle hot mixture into hot sterilized jars and process. (see instructions in post).
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* Post updated 5/14/2025
This was fantastic. I used foraged black caps as we call them here in Wisconsin, as they are in season and Buffalo Trace bourbon. A keeper for years to come with my harvests 🙂
That is great! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Can you double this recipe?
Of course! Just great a bigger pot 🙂
Can you double this recipe and still use a boiling bath canning method?
of course!
Can this be done as a jelly instead of a jam?
Hi Cayla- I have never made it that way. I know that jelly is with the juices of the blackberries versus the fruit and not sure what would happen with the pectin & alcohol combined. I enjoy it as jam since it is so easy without all the extra steps that come along with jelly. I searched around online to see if there were any alcohol & jelly recipes and didn’t see anything come up so- I assume that the consistency wouldn’t turn out. Let me know if you decide to experiment.
Is the jam safe to process as it doesn’t have anything to preserve it?
Yes! There are instructions in the post, too!
Recipe sounds awesome. Plan to use Lady Jane bourbon, it is a vanilla heavy treat
sounds like the perfect match! Let me know how it turns out!
It’s blackberry season in Maine. Made this today. Fantastic flavor. Will make a bigger batch on my day off. Thanks
That’s so nice! Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate the comment and rating 🙂
This was perfect. Really liked the hint of lemon.
Great! So happy you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping back to let me know 🙂
[…] Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Jam […]
what a great combo of flavours and it was super easy to make! I added it to my ice cream today!
Awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback and kind words 😊
This was way easier than I expected, thanks for sharing!!
I know right!? Thanks for the feedback !
A great recipe – thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks! Hope you try it 🙂
When do you add in the sugar? The instructions don’t say.
You are right! Sorry about that- it does say it in the post above the recipe card. All of the ingredients Go in together. I will update it though.
As with Kenzie above – i have read the post over and over and do not see the use of Pectin or even a mention of what will peserve this. I am getting ready for Black Berry season here soon in Wisconsin and want to be ready! Is there Pectin and what kind ir doesn’t it need anythng at all. … HELP !
Hi William- sorry was off line for few days. This recipe does NOT use pectin. It is a very simple jam recipe that will hold up in the fridge for a few days, in the freezer, or to be preserved in the correct canning process. There is both sugar and lemon juice that helps preserve the natural flavors. Jams without pectin usually need to be cooked a little longer to set up the right consistency. But that is it. It IS SAFE to make without pectin. 🙂 Happy blackberry season!
Was wondering if this recipe would work the same with blueberries instead of blackberries?
Hi! I have not tried it but sounds delicious.I don’t see why not! I might have to try it. I have seen plenty of blueberry jam recipes that look fabulous. Let me know if you try it.