Fresh Jam Seltzer

Jam fizzy drinks have become my new summer favorite and I'm shocked how something this basic can be so incredibly tasty. I've whipped these up almost every day since spotting the trend, and they've honestly rescued me from grabbing afternoon sodas while being tons more exciting than just drinking water.

I stumbled onto this drink last summer while I was sorting through my refrigerator and spotted about six partially used jam containers. Instead of dumping them, I remembered catching something on social media about blending jam with sparkling water. My first try with strawberry preserves tasted so amazing I immediately fixed another with blackberry. These days my buddies message me before dropping by to check if I've got "that fizzy jam thing" waiting!

What You'll Need

• Any preserves lurking in your refrigerator - seriously every flavor works though berries are what I usually grab
• Regular or infused sparkling water - I typically snag whatever's discounted
• Fresh lemon juice - the stuff from bottles works when you're in a rush but fresh tastes much nicer
• Ice - larger chunks melt more slowly so your beverage stays potent longer
• Fresh greenery or fruit pieces for decoration if you want to show off (I usually don't bother for everyday sipping)

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How I Make It

Start With Jam

Drop a dollop of preserves into your glass bottom - roughly a tablespoon or two based on how sweet you're craving. I typically go bigger with sour preserves like raspberry and smaller with sweeter ones like peach. Even bargain store preserves work perfectly fine, but those pricey farmers market jams with fruit chunks make it incredibly delicious.

Add Some Zing

Drip some fresh lemon juice directly onto the preserves. This balances the sweetness and helps dissolve the jam somewhat. I found out the hard way that jumping past this step makes your drink overly sweet and leaves jam clumps at the bottom.

Quick Stir

Give everything a brief mix with a spoon to begin breaking down the preserves. Don't stress about making it completely smooth - those tiny jam pockets you discover while drinking are actually the tastiest parts.

Bubbles Time

Add your sparkling water gradually - it'll bubble over if you pour too quickly. I enjoy watching the fizz carry tiny streaks of jam throughout the glass. Oddly satisfying. Fill it mostly up but save space for ice.

Final Touches

Toss in some ice and give everything one final gentle swirl. When I'm making these for guests, I'll stick a berry on the edge or float some blueberries on top, but for myself, I skip all the decoration stuff.

My neighbor Mark dropped by unexpectedly one scorching afternoon when I was fixing one with my homemade blackberry preserves. He stared at me like I was nuts when I suggested one, but after his initial sip, he literally went home and returned with his own jar of apricot jam to try. Now we always text each other whenever we discover a good new mixture.

Favorite Combos

I've probably sampled twenty different jam and sparkling water pairings by now. Raspberry preserves with lime bubbles tastes like some fancy drink you'd shell out $15 for at some beachside spot. Orange marmalade with plain seltzer and a bit of rosemary tastes surprisingly grown-up. My strange-but-actually-wonderful discovery was fig jam with grapefruit bubbles - sounds odd but tastes unbelievable.

Boozy Version

When friends swing by for Saturday afternoon gatherings, I pour in a dash of whatever alcohol we have around. Vodka blends right into the mix and lets the fruit flavors stand out. My friend Carla brings over bubbly instead of seltzer sometimes, and it transforms into this fantastic morning drink that's way too easy to gulp down.

How I Serve It

Nothing special here - just a standard glass. Though I grabbed some second-hand coupe glasses that make the alcoholic versions feel extra fancy. When I'm hosting a party, I'll set out various preserves, sparkling waters, and mix-ins so people can create their own. Everyone gets strangely thrilled about it - much more than you'd think for something this simple.

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My Personal Tips

• If your preserves have been chilling forever and turned super firm, let them warm up for 5 minutes first
• Homemade preserves or expensive brands with large fruit pieces create the most attractive drinks
• Lime juice sometimes pairs better than lemon with tropical-flavored jams

Last summer during our neighborhood gathering, I created a jam fizzy drink station instead of the usual lemonade table. My neighbor Tom, who's in his seventies and normally sticks to his "same beverage for 40 years," tried my raspberry version and now makes them for his grandkids during visits. He calls them "bubble jam drinks" and the kids think he came up with them. I haven't got the courage to tell him it's just copied from social media!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which jams are good for this drink?

You can use any kind! Strawberry, peach, blackberry, raspberry, or apricot all work well. Seedless jams make a smoother drink, but it's your call.

→ Can sparkling water replace seltzer?

Totally! Sparkling water, seltzer, or club soda all work. Pick a flavored option to pair nicely with your jam.

→ Is alcohol part of this drink?

Nope, it's alcohol-free. But you can add a splash of vodka, prosecco, or gin if you're in the mood for a boozy twist.

→ How do I make it less sugary?

Reduce the jam amount to 1 tablespoon and add extra lemon juice. Or, swap in a sugar-free or low-sugar jam.

→ What garnishes go well with this?

Try pairing strawberry jam with mint and strawberries, blackberry jam with thyme and berries, or peach jam with basil and peach slices.

→ Can I prepare this for a party?

Yep! Mix jam and lemon juice in a big pitcher, then add seltzer right before serving to keep the fizz fresh. Scale the amounts as needed.