Turn leftover strawberry jam into a refreshing bourbon cocktail! This easy jam jar drink is low-waste, flavorful, and ready in just 5 minutes.
If you’ve got a nearly empty jar of strawberry jam sitting in your fridge, don’t toss it—turn it into a cocktail. This Strawberry Jam Bourbon Smash is the ultimate low-waste, high-reward drink. You can even make right in the jar, which means less cleanup and adds more charm.
I love using jam to make a cocktail super flavorful in a snap (like this watermelon mojito cocktail back in 2020 or my OG jam cocktail, the cranberry ginger fizz from 2014!). Making cocktails at home can be a process, especially when the recipe calls for a specific flavor of simple syrup. I really only make cocktails at home when we’re hosting people and when it comes to entertaining, you don’t want to add a bunch of steps into the mix. Adding a spoonful of jam is a fantastic way to take your home cocktail game to the next level without any heavy lifting.
Strawberry Jam Bourbon Smash
With the sweet fruitiness of strawberry jam, the bold warmth of Maker’s Mark bourbon, and a splash of fizz, this jam jar cocktail is perfect for a relaxed night in or an impromptu happy hour.
What is a Jam Jar Cocktail?
A jam jar cocktail is exactly what it sounds like—a cocktail mixed and served in an almost-empty jam jar. It’s a fun, no-fuss way to shake up a drink while making the most of what you already have in your fridge. Plus, the leftover jam acts as both sweetener and flavor booster.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Jam Cocktail
It’s a low-waste cocktail that makes the most of what you already have.
It’s ready in under 5 minutes, no fancy tools required!
The flavor is a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and bold bourbon warmth.
You’ll feel a little bit like Ina Garten meets Nancy Meyers. Throw on a chambray shirt and breezy linen pants for optimal experience.
Strawberry Jam Bourbon Smash (Jam Jar Cocktail) Recipe
Serves: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
2 teaspoons seedless strawberry jam (or whatever’s left in the jar)
2 oz Maker’s Mark bourbon
Ice
Ginger ale
Garnish options: Mint sprig, lemon wheel, or a slice of strawberry
Quick Note
I recommend using seedless jam if you are making this cocktail right in the jar. I’m personally not a big fan of getting little seeds in between sips. If jam with seeds is what you have on hand, I’d recommend using a cocktail shaker and strainer for a smoother cocktail.
Instructions
Step 1: Combine your ingredients
Pour the bourbon directly into the jam jar and add a sweetener like honey or agave if you’d like.
Step 2: Add ice and shake
Add ice, screw the lid back on the jam jar, and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the jam is fully dissolved and everything’s chilled. You can also do this in a cocktail shaker if you’d like.
Step 3: Top with fizz
Top with ginger ale to add a little spritz. Bonus: swap the ginger ale and top it with sparkling grapefruit juice for a refreshing twist.
Step 4: Garnish
Garnish with mint, lemon, or a strawberry slice—and sip straight from the jar!
Tips and Variations
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Use other jams! This recipe works beautifully with raspberry, apricot, or fig jam. Or work backwards and think about what jams would work with your favorite cocktails.
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Herbal twist: Muddle in some fresh thyme or basil before shaking for a garden-inspired cocktail.
