Fun Jam Seltzer Drink

Jam and seltzer combos have become my new summer fixation and I'm blown away that mixing two simple ingredients can taste this amazing. Since noticing this trend, I've been whipping these up almost every day, and they've helped me kick my afternoon soda habit while being so much more fun than drinking plain water.

I stumbled upon this drink last summer while organizing my refrigerator and spotted several partially used jam containers. Rather than throwing them away, I recalled a TikTok video showing jam mixed with sparkling water. My initial try using strawberry preserves turned out so wonderful I immediately fixed another with blackberry. These days my buddies message me beforehand to check if I've got "those jam fizzes" ready!

What You'll Need

• Any jam tucked away in your refrigerator - truly all flavors work though I usually grab berry varieties
• Sparkling water, plain or flavored - I typically buy whatever's discounted
• Fresh squeezed lemon - the bottled stuff works when you're in a rush but fresh is much tastier
• Ice - larger chunks melt more slowly so your beverage stays potent
• Fresh greenery or fruit pieces for decoration if you want to be extra (I usually don't bother for everyday drinks)

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How I Make It

Start With Jam

Drop a dollop of jam into your glass bottom - roughly one or two tablespoons depending on desired sweetness. I normally use more with tangy jams like raspberry and less with sweeter ones like peach. Budget store brands work perfectly fine, but those premium farmers market preserves with fruit chunks make it incredibly special.

Add Some Zing

Drip fresh lemon juice directly onto the jam. This balances the sweetness and starts breaking down the preserves. I found out the hard way that without this step, your drink ends up too sweet and the jam sits in clumps at the bottom.

Quick Stir

Mix it briefly with a spoon to break up the jam. Don't stress about getting it completely dissolved - those small pockets of jam you encounter while sipping are actually the highlight.

Bubbles Time

Add your seltzer gradually - pouring too fast creates excessive foam. I enjoy watching the bubbles pull tiny jam streaks through the glass. It's oddly mesmerizing. Fill most of the glass but leave space for ice.

Final Touches

Toss in some ice and stir gently one more time. When making these for company, I'll sometimes place a berry on the edge or float a few on top, but for myself, I don't mess with all the extras.

My buddy Mark dropped by unexpectedly during a hot afternoon while I was fixing one with my homemade blackberry preserves. He looked totally skeptical when I offered him a glass, but after one taste, he literally went home and returned with his own jar of apricot jam to try. Now we text each other whenever we discover a tasty new mix.

Favorite Combos

I've probably sampled about twenty different jam and seltzer pairings by now. Raspberry with lime bubbles tastes like a fancy drink you'd pay too much for at a vacation spot. Orange marmalade with unflavored seltzer and a sprig of rosemary tastes surprisingly grown-up. My unusual but actually wonderful find was fig preserves with grapefruit seltzer - sounds odd but tastes fantastic.

Boozy Version

For weekend gatherings, I splash in whatever alcohol we have around. Vodka blends right in and lets the fruit flavors stand out. My friend Carla sometimes brings prosecco instead of seltzer, turning it into this wonderful midday drink that goes down way too easily.

How I Serve It

Nothing complicated here - just regular glasses. Though I did pick up some secondhand coupe glasses that make the alcoholic versions feel extra fancy. When hosting friends, I set out various jams, seltzers, and mix-ins for a DIY station. Everyone gets surprisingly excited about it - much more than you'd think for something this basic.

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My Personal Tips

• When your jam's been refrigerated forever and gotten too firm, let it warm up for 5 minutes
• DIY preserves or fancy brands with big fruit pieces create the most eye-catching drinks
• Sometimes lime works better than lemon when using tropical-flavored jams

During our block party last summer, I created a jam seltzer bar instead of the typical lemonade stand. My elderly neighbor Tom, who's stuck with the "same drink for decades," tried my raspberry creation and now makes them when his grandkids visit. He calls them "bubble jam drinks" and the kids think he came up with them. I haven't told him it's just something from TikTok!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What jam flavors should I pick?

Pretty much any kind will work—strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peach, or even apricot. If you prefer smoother drinks, go for a seedless option!

→ Can I substitute sparkling water for seltzer?

Absolutely! Any bubbly water like seltzer, club soda, or even flavored sparkling water works well, especially if it matches your jam choice.

→ Is this drink just for kids?

Nope! While it’s non-alcoholic, you can easily make it grown-up friendly. Toss in a splash of vodka, gin, or bubbly wine for an adult twist.

→ How can I cut the sweetness?

Use less jam (try just a tablespoon) and up your lemon juice a little. Switch to a low-sugar or sugar-free jam if you’re keeping it lighter!

→ What fun garnishes could I try?

Spruce it up with strawberry jam and fresh strawberries, blackberry jam alongside mint and thyme, or peach jam paired with sliced peaches and basil.

→ Can this be prepped for a crowd?

For sure! Mix the jam and lemon in a big pitcher first. Wait to add the fizzy water till it’s time to serve to keep things bubbly and fresh.