Learn how to make an old-fashioned peach conserve with rum using this easy homemade canning recipe. Preserve fresh peaches and enjoy a delicious spread year-round.

This homemade peach conserve with rum using fresh peaches, cherries, oranges, pineapple, and warm spices. This easy canning recipe is perfect for preserving peaches and enjoying them all year long!

Homemade old-fashioned peach conserve with rum displayed on a rustic wooden board, highlighting the rich texture and vibrant colors of the fresh peaches and warm spices used in this easy canning recipe.

Having lived in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, fresh peaches have always been a big part of my summers. In fact, when we lived in Carolina, we had two peach trees in our yard that would yield the most beautiful, juicy peaches each year.

Close-up of ripe peaches growing on a tree with a hand gently holding a branch, surrounded by lush green leaves in a sunny orchard | Gathered In The Kitchen

Because of this, I’ve always had an abundance of fresh peaches to enjoy during the warm summer months. Whether I’m picking them myself at a local orchard or ordering from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) delivery service, I love making sure I get the freshest, juiciest fruit possible.

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This past summer, (now that we live in Wisconsin) I went all in and purchased over 75 pounds of fresh Georgia peaches!! With that many peaches on hand, I knew I had to get creative with ways to preserve them so I could enjoy their sweet, summery goodness long after peach season ended.

Fresh peaches ripening on a kitchen counter at room temperature, placed stem-side down on a towel for even ripening. | Gathered In The Kitchen — Just a sampling of some of the peaches I bought!

One of my absolute favorite ways that I preserved some of these fresh peaches was by turning them into a peach conserve with rum—a rich, spiced preserve that takes traditional peach jam to the next level. I used the recipe from my Ball Blue Book Guide To Home Canning, Freezing & Dehydration that my late Grandma gifted me back in 2004!

A vintage Ball Blue Book canning guide showcasing a Peach Conserve with Rum recipe, a heartfelt handwritten note, and a nostalgic cookbook cover with homemade jam on toast. A must-have for preserving fresh peaches! | Gathered In The Kitchen

This traditional peach conserve recipe features a delightful combination of fresh peaches, sweet cherries, oranges, pineapple, dark rum, and warm spices. All ingredients are simmered together, creating a rich and flavorful spread that’s perfect for homemade canning enthusiasts.

Understanding the Difference: Peach Conserve vs. Peach Jelly

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s quickly go over what the difference is between jelly and a conserve.

Conserve
- Made with whole or chopped fruit and sometimes nuts and alcohol (like rum or brandy)
- Conserves are chunkier and have a more rustic texture
- Has a thicker texture and usually has visible fruit pieces, nuts or dried fruits
- Is cooked to a gelling point with sugar
Jelly
- Made from fruit juice, meaning the fruit has been strained out
- Firm but smooth, gelatinous texture
- Requires the addition of pectin to achieve the smooth, gelled texture

How To Make Peach Conserve with Rum

STEP 1: Pick fresh and ripe peaches. To learn how to pick out the best peaches to preserve, follow my guide for How to Pick, Ripen, and Enjoy Fresh Peaches: The Complete Guide
STEP 2: Blanch the peaches in boiling water and then place in a bowl of ice water to quickly cool them down
STEP 3: Peel, cube and pit each peach
STEP 4: In a small saucepan, combine orange peel, and pulp with just enough water to cover. Cook until the orange peel is tender, then remove from heat and seat aside
STEP 5: In a large saucepan, combine the candied fruit from the small saucepan, peaches, pineapple, cherries and lime juice. Add sugar and spices, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Cook until an almost “gelling point”. Stir frequently and monitor the temperature closely to avoid scorching
- 💡 Pro Tip: Use a candy thermometer to ensure your peach conserve reaches the perfect gelling point! Maintaining the right temperature is key to achieving the ideal consistency—too low, and your conserve will be runny; too high, and it may become too thick or even caramelize
STEP 6: Ladle conserve into glass canning jars and follow the proper water bath techniques. Process in boiling water for 15 minutes

A collage of six images showing the process of making peach conserve with rum. The top-left image showcases a pile of fresh, ripe peaches. The top-right image displays peaches being blanched in a pot of boiling water, with another pan of ice water for cooling. The middle-left image shows peeled peaches and a bowl of peach skins. The middle-right image captures a pot filled with orange peels and fruit simmering in liquid. The bottom-left image features a pot with diced peaches, sugar, and a thermometer to monitor temperature. The bottom-right image displays a large pressure canner on a stovetop, sealing the conserve for long-term storage. The kitchen has a sleek black backsplash and a cozy, rustic aesthetic | Gathered In The Kitchen

One of my favorite ways to enjoy this peach conserve is by spreading it over a freshly toasted slice of bread with a generous layer of butter. The warmth of the freshly baked sourdough bread melts the butter and creates the perfect base for the conserve.

A slice of crusty sourdough bread topped with homemade peach conserve with rum, glistening with chunks of fruit. A butter dish and a jar of the conserve with a butter knife sit in the background on a rustic wooden cutting board. The rich, golden-orange conserve is spread over the bread, making for a mouthwatering breakfast or snack | Gathered In The Kitchen

How to Store Peach Conserve

I used Ball Regular Mouth 4oz Quilted Pint Mason Jars to can my peach conserve, ensuring they were properly sealed for long-term storage. Once cooled, I placed them in my canned goods storage pantry in the basement, where they stay cool and dark—ideal conditions for preserving their flavor and freshness. (You can see more about my pantry transformation here: Creepy Stairwell Closet Turned Pantry for Food Storage.)

Pantry Closet Makeover | Gathered In The Kitchen — The top shelf is almost all peach conserve!

These jars of peach conserve are perfect for enjoying throughout the colder months, when fresh peaches are out of season. They also make wonderful homemade gifts for teachers, neighbors, or holiday gift baskets—just print add a decorative ribbon and a gift tag for a thoughtful touch!

Two jars of homemade peach conserve with rum sit on a rustic wooden cutting board. One jar is open with a butter knife dipped inside, showing the rich, chunky conserve, while the other jar is sealed with a gold lid, decorated with a gingham pink ribbon and a vintage-style label. Small pieces of pink gingham fabric are scattered around, adding a cozy, homemade feel | Gathered In The Kitchen

Printable Recipe Card

Peach Conserve with Rum

Stephanie | Gathered In The Kitchen

*Note: follow all of the safety and sterling tips provided by Ball Blue Book before using this recipe

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Course canning, Preserving

Cuisine American

Servings pints

Equipment

water bath canner
small sauce pan
large sauce pot
Ball pint jars and lids I used the 4oz jelly jars

Ingredients

3 tbs thinly sliced orange peel
2/3 c orange chopped and seeded, about 1 medium sized orange
1/2 c light rum
2 c peaches peeled, chopped and pitted
3/4 c pineapple crushed
1/4-1/2 c maraschino cherries chopped
3 tbs lime juice
6 1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt kosher
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp mace

Instructions

Warm the Rum

Place about 1 cup of hot water in a glass dish. Open bottle of rum and sit in the dish of hot water (do not pour the rum into the water!)

Small Saucepan / Candied Fruit

In a small saucepan, combine orange peel, and pulp with just enough water to cover
Cook until peel is tender, then remove from heat and seat aside

Large Sauce Pot / Conserve

In a large saucepan, combine the candied fruit from the small saucepan, peaches, pineapple, cherries and lime juice. Add sugar and spices, stirring until sugar has dissolved. As the mixture thickens, be sure to constantly stir or it could stick to the bottom of the pot and burn
When a gelling point has almost been reached, remove from heat and carefully stir in the hot rum

Preserve

**Follow Ball Blue Book's protocol for sterilizing jars and preparing rings and seals
Ladle the hot conserve into hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace
Clean the rim with vinegar and then adjust the two-piece caps

Water Bath Process

Process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner
When done processing, remove from the water canner and let sit for 24 hours on a flat surface until jars have "popped" and can be safely moved for storage

Keyword cannnig, preserving

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Ready to make your own peach conserve with rum? Gather your fresh peaches, grab your canning supplies, and start preserving the flavors of summer! Whether you’re saving it for the colder months or gifting it to loved ones, I know you are going to love it! Be sure to let me know how it turns out in the comments!

A Pinterest-friendly collage image showcasing how to make peach conserve with rum. The top half features a close-up of fresh, ripe peaches piled together, while the bottom half highlights a jar of homemade peach conserve with a butter knife inside, next to a rustic wooden cutting board with a slice of sourdough bread spread with the conserve. A butter dish is visible in the background. The bold text overlay reads: "How to Make Peach Conserve with Rum – A Delicious Way to Preserve Summer Peaches!" | Gathered In The Kitchen

Stephanie Bruce

Stephanie—home cook, DIY addict, seasonal decor fanatic, and proud chicken wrangler living in a Victorian house that’s always a project. Whether I’m cooking with garden-fresh ingredients, herding mischievous chickens, or tackling another DIY, I’m here to share the fun (and chaos).

How to Make Peach Conserve with Rum – Easy Canning Recipe for Fresh Peaches!

Understanding the Difference: Peach Conserve vs. Peach Jelly

How To Make Peach Conserve with Rum

How to Store Peach Conserve

Printable Recipe Card