Jam Bubbly Drink

I'm totally hooked on jam seltzer drinks this summer and can't get over how such a simple mix tastes so incredibly good. I've made these almost every day since spotting the trend, and they've helped me kick my afternoon soda habit while being way more fun than drinking plain water.

This drink came into my life last summer when I was tidying my fridge and spotted several partially used jam jars. Instead of throwing them away, I remembered a TikTok clip about jam and seltzer combinations. My first try with strawberry was so delicious I immediately whipped up another with blackberry jam. Now friends message me before visits to check if I've got "that bubbly jam drink" waiting!

Ingredients You'll Want

• Any jam lurking in your refrigerator - every flavor works though I tend to grab berry varieties first
• Seltzer water (plain or flavored) - I typically buy whatever's discounted
• Fresh lemon juice - the bottled kind works when you're in a rush but fresh delivers better flavor
• Ice - larger chunks melt more slowly so your drink stays potent longer
• Fresh herbs or fruit garnishes if you want to get fancy (I usually skip this for everyday sipping)

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My Simple Method

Begin With Your Jam

Drop a dollop of jam into your glass bottom - roughly a tablespoon or two based on your sweetness preference. I normally go bigger with tangy jams like raspberry and lighter with sweeter options like peach. Even budget store jams work perfectly fine, but those special farmers market preserves with fruit chunks make it incredibly tasty.

Add Some Brightness

Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the jam. This balances the sweetness and starts breaking down the jam texture. I found out the hard way that jumping this step makes everything too sweet and leaves jam clumps sitting at the bottom.

Brief Mix

Stir everything quickly with a spoon to break up the jam. Don't stress about making it perfectly smooth - finding little pockets of jam while drinking actually makes it more enjoyable.

Add Your Bubbles

Pour seltzer in gradually - going too fast creates excessive foam. I enjoy watching bubbles carry tiny jam streaks up through the glass. It's oddly mesmerizing. Fill most of the glass but save some space for ice.

Finishing Touches

Add some ice and give everything one final gentle stir. When making these for company, I might put a strawberry on the glass edge or float some blueberries on top, but for myself, I don't bother with extra decoration.

My neighbor Mark dropped by unexpectedly during a hot afternoon while I was mixing one with my homemade blackberry jam. He looked skeptical when I offered him a glass, but after one sip, he actually went home and returned with his own jar of apricot preserves to experiment with. Now we regularly text each other whenever we discover a tasty new combination.

Winning Combinations

I've probably sampled around twenty different jam and seltzer pairings by now. Raspberry jam mixed with lime seltzer tastes like a premium cocktail you'd pay top dollar for at a fancy resort. Orange marmalade with unflavored seltzer and a sprig of rosemary tastes surprisingly grown-up. My unusual-but-actually-delicious discovery was fig jam with grapefruit seltzer - sounds odd but tastes amazing.

Adult Version

When friends visit for weekend gatherings, I'll add a splash of whatever alcohol we have available. Vodka blends invisibly and lets the fruit flavors stand out. My friend Carla sometimes brings prosecco instead of seltzer, turning it into an outstanding brunch beverage that goes down way too easily.

Serving Suggestions

I keep it casual with regular glasses. Though I did pick up some secondhand coupe glasses that make the alcoholic versions feel extra special. When hosting gatherings, I set out various jams, seltzers and mix-ins for a DIY station. Everyone gets surprisingly excited about it - much more than you'd expect for something this basic.

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Helpful Hints

• When your jam's been refrigerated forever and seems too firm, let it sit out briefly first
• Store-bought fancy preserves or homemade jam with fruit chunks creates the most attractive drinks
• For tropical jam flavors, lime sometimes complements better than lemon

During our community block party last summer, I created a jam seltzer station instead of the traditional lemonade stand. My elderly neighbor Tom, who's faithfully stuck to the same drink for decades, tried my raspberry version and now makes them when his grandkids visit. He calls them "bubble jam drinks" and the kids think he created them himself. I still haven't told him it's just something popular from TikTok!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which jam flavor works the best for this drink?

Honestly, use what you love! Strawberry, peach, raspberry, blackberry, or even apricot are great. Go for seedless if you want it smoother.

→ Can I swap seltzer for sparkling water?

Of course! Club soda and sparkling water work just fine. Add a flavored sparkling water for a tasty twist.

→ Is the drink alcohol-free?

Yep, it’s totally non-alcoholic. You’re welcome to add a splash of gin, vodka, or sparkling wine if you want to make it for adults.

→ How do I make it less sugary?

Cut back on the jam—maybe just a tablespoon—and use a bit more lemon juice. A lower-sugar or sugar-free jam will help too.

→ What garnish pairs go well?

Spruce it up with strawberries and mint for strawberry jam, basil and peach slices for peach, or thyme and blackberries for blackberry.

→ Can I prepare this in a big batch?

Sure thing! Mix your jam and lemon in a large pitcher beforehand. Add seltzer when serving so the fizz stays bubbly. Adjust quantities for your crowd.