Using Jam In Cocktails: All Your FAQs Answered — Part I

Those leftover preserves taking up a place at the back of your fridge can finally be put to good use. Yes, we are talking about adding jam to cocktails! Think about it: the concentrated form adds a textural profile to your drinks. Right ahead of the festive season, we tell you why jams should occupy a place in your bar. We know, you’d have a couple of questions running in your head. We’ve got them answered just for you!

Q. Why use jam in cocktails?

If jam can make plain old bread taste so good, just imagine what it can do in a cocktail. Jams are naturally sweet on account of their sugar content, so they limit the need for other additional sweeteners. Jams also come in a variety of flavours and are great at enhancing the overall flavours of the cocktail. Plus, when some fruits are not in season, they can be preserved as jams and you can have your favourite flavoured cocktail year-round. And finally, unlike fresh fruits that have unpredictable flavours and tastes (mango eaters around the world, you know what we are talking about, it’s pretty handy to have jam that tastes consistently the same. 

Q. What types of jam work best in cocktails?

When it comes to jams, there’s no fresh or non-fresh variety. It’s fruit preserves, so what you need to keep in mind are the flavour profiles and which spirits they complement. So, if your chosen spirit is vodka, it goes well with pretty much every jam because it’s so versatile but your best bet is berry-flavoured jams. Strawberry, peach, or rhubarb jam goes best with whisky-based cocktails, whereas gin goes well with apricot jam or marmalades. Often, marmalades are also made with liqueur and spirits, predominantly whisky, so pick jams that are non-alcoholic. 

Q. Can I use homemade jam in cocktails?

Of course, you can! The best advantage is that you’ll have complete control over how it and by default your cocktail also tastes. 

Q. How do I incorporate jam into my cocktail recipes?

You can directly use jam as a sweetener. But if you’d like to get creative, you can make jam-based syrups by combining jam with equal parts water. Then you can muddle or blend the jam into the cocktails. You can infuse the spirits with the jam so that the spirit fully absorbs the sweetness and flavours of the jam. And finally, you can use it as a garnish.  

Q. Which spirits pair well with jam in cocktails?

While there are a lot of pairings, mixologists and bartenders around the globe swear by these: raspberry jam tastes really good in vodka-based cocktails, Don Julio tequila jams well with with apricot preserve. There’s not a better match made than Gordon's The Original London Dry Gin and blackberry jam or Captain Morgan Dark Rum and pineapple jam. You can also pair scotch and single malts with fig jam. 

Q. What classic cocktails use jam as an ingredient?

The Bramble is a classic cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and blackberry liqueur or blackberry jam. Another classic and very popular cocktail is the Breakfast Martini which uses gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and orange marmalade.

Q. What are some unique jam cocktail recipes to try?

You can make Whisky Sour with lemon jam, or strawberry mojito with strawberry jam, or you can use raspberry jam to make a Vodka Collins. 

Jams add a delightful touch to your cocktails, enhancing the flavors. Do enjoy your drinks in moderation.