Fresh Jam Seltzer

Jam fizzy drinks have become my new summer addiction and I'm shocked at how such a simple mix can be this tasty. These drinks have been my daily go-to since spotting the trend, helping me kick my afternoon soda craving while making plain water seem boring in comparison.

I stumbled upon this beverage last summer while organizing my refrigerator and spotting several partially used jam containers. Rather than throwing them out, I recalled a TikTok video showing jam mixed with sparkling water. My first try using strawberry preserves turned out so delicious I immediately whipped up another with blackberry. Now friends message me before visits to check if I've prepared "that sparkly jam thing"!

Necessary Ingredients

• Any preserves lurking in your refrigerator - all types work though I prefer berry varieties
• Regular or infused sparkling water - I typically grab whatever's discounted
• Fresh squeezed lemon - store-bought juice works when needed but fresh delivers better flavor
• Ice cubes - larger chunks melt more slowly keeping your drink from getting watered down
• Optional garnishes like mint or berries if you want to get fancy (I usually skip these for everyday sipping)

Pin it

My Simple Method

Begin With Preserves

Drop a dollop of jam at your glass bottom - roughly one or two tablespoons based on desired sweetness. I typically use more for tangy varieties like raspberry and less for sweeter ones like peach. Basic grocery store jams work perfectly fine, but those chunky farmer's market preserves really take things up a notch.

Add Some Tang

Drip fresh lemon juice directly onto your jam. This balances sweetness and helps loosen the preserves. I found out the hard way that without this step, your drink ends up too sweet with jam stuck at the bottom.

Brief Mix

Stir with a spoon to break down the jam slightly. Don't bother getting it completely dissolved - finding those little pockets of jam while drinking actually makes it more enjoyable.

Add Fizz

Gently pour in sparkling water - go slow or it'll bubble over. I enjoy watching those tiny bubbles pull streaks of jam upward through the drink. It's oddly satisfying. Fill most of the glass but leave space for ice.

Last Steps

Toss in some ice and give everything a gentle final stir. When making these for company, I'll add a berry on the rim or float some fresh fruit on top, but for my own drinks, I don't bother with extras.

My buddy Mark dropped by unexpectedly during a hot afternoon when I was fixing one with my homemade blackberry jam. He gave me a doubtful look when offered a glass, but after just one taste, he actually went home and returned with his own jar of apricot spread to try out. We now regularly share texts about our latest successful combinations.

Winning Combinations

By now I've tested at least twenty different jam and fizzy water pairings. Raspberry preserves with lime sparkling water tastes just like a fancy drink you'd pay too much for at a vacation spot. Orange marmalade mixed with plain seltzer and a sprig of rosemary tastes unexpectedly classy. My strangest yet surprisingly delicious discovery was fig preserves with grapefruit seltzer - sounds odd but tastes amazing.

Adult Version

When pals come around for weekend gatherings, I'll mix in a splash of whatever liquor 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 incredible mid-day drink that goes down way too easily.

Serving Suggestions

I keep it simple - just regular glasses work fine. Though I did pick up some secondhand coupe glasses that make the alcoholic versions feel a bit more special. When hosting gatherings, I'll set out various preserves, seltzers and mix-ins for a DIY station. Guests always get surprisingly excited about it - much more than you'd expect for something this basic.

Pin it

Handy Suggestions

• When your jam has hardened from refrigeration, let it warm up for 5 minutes first
• Artisanal preserves or homemade jams with visible fruit pieces create the most attractive drinks
• For tropical jam flavors, lime often pairs better than lemon

During our neighborhood gathering last summer, I created a jam fizzy drink bar instead of serving typical lemonade. My elderly neighbor Tom, who's stuck with the same beverage for decades, sampled my raspberry mix and now prepares them when his grandchildren visit. He calls them "bubbly jam sips" and the kids believe he created them. I just can't bring myself to tell him it's simply something from social media!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which jam flavors work best?

It's completely up to you! Some great options are strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peach, or apricot. If you'd like a smoother drink, go for seedless ones.

→ Is sparkling water an option here?

You bet! Sparkling water, seltzer, or even club soda will do the trick. You can also pick flavored sparkling water to match your jam.

→ Is alcohol part of this drink?

Nope, this one's alcohol-free. You could add vodka, gin, or prosecco for a grown-up twist if you'd like.

→ How can I tone down the sweetness?

Cut back the jam to just a tablespoon and squeeze in a little extra lemon juice. Low-sugar or sugar-free jams are another option.

→ What are fun garnish choices?

Pair strawberry jam with strawberries and mint, blackberry jam with thyme and blackberries, or peach jam with basil and fresh peach slices.

→ Can I make this for a big group?

Definitely! Mix up jam and lemon juice in a big pitcher. Add the seltzer just before serving to keep the fizz. Adjust the ingredient amounts based on guests.