tequila |

Effortless Jam Cocktail & Mocktail | An Easy 3 Minute Drink Using Ingredients You Already Have on Hand

by corrie.pennington / January 28, 2020

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail is a game-changer. It’s easy to whip up in a moment’s notice and feels very fancy. The best part is, you’ll probably always have the ingredients on hand– who doesn’t have a jar or three of random jelly, jam, or preserves hiding in the back of the fridge? And if you actually do go out to grab a new jar, you’ll find soo many inspiring possibilities.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like!

Blueberry preserves, raspberry jalapeno jam, ORANGE MARMALADE, mango habanero, and of course the classic strawberry and grape. Did you know that there’s such a thing as mint jelly? Yeah. That rocked my world, too. Add a spoonful of jam into any mixed drink and you’ve upped the flavor complexity.

Jam cocktails are so customizable. Want something refreshing and light? Add sparkling water. Feeling like a strong drink? Skip it & pour everything into a coupe or martini glass. Don’t feel like imbibing? Forgo the alcohol and enjoy sipping on something besides water. Mocktails require no thought when you know the secret about jam + tonic. And all the pregnant ladies said BLESS.

Flavor Combinations to Try

Need some flavor inspo? Here are some ideas to get you started:

gin + blackberry jam + lemon juice + basil + tonic water
vodka + apricot preserves + lemon juice + mint + lemon sparkling water
tequila + orange marmalade + grapefruit juice + rosemary + club soda
white rum + blueberry jam + lime juice + mint + club soda

An Outline of Ingredients for a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

1 1/2 – 2 oz vodka (or gin, whiskey, rum, or tequila… but vodka has the cleanest profile to work with, meaning it won’t compete with your other flavors)
3/4 oz lemon juice or lime juice – fresh is always best
spoonful of jam
a sprig of a fresh herb – mint & basil pair well with all fruit flavs
tonic water, club soda, or unsweetened flavored sparkling water
[optional- if you like extra sweet drinks] 1/2 oz simple syrup or honey simple syrup

How to Make a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor. Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes. Shake. Strain into a lowball glass that’s filled with ice. Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water. Garnish with any leftover herbs.

Jam Cocktail & Mocktail

The easiest way to make a cocktail using ingredients you already have on hand.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 mins

Course Drinks

Servings 1

Ingredients

1½-2 oz liquor like vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila (omit for a mocktail)
¾ oz fresh citrus juice like lemon or lime
1 spoonful jam (any jam will do!)
fresh herb like mint, basil, or thyme
2+ oz sparkling water, club soda, or tonic
½ oz simple syrup OPTIONAL

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor.
Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes.
Shake well, about 30 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass that's filled with ice.
Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water.
Garnish with a sprig of herb.½

Notes

If you want to forgo the liquor, this makes a nice and refreshing mocktail.

If you enjoy sweeter drinks, add the 1/2 oz of simple syrup.

Keyword club soda, jam, lemon, lime, sparkling water, tonic

The Avendesora | A Reposado Tonic Cocktail with Sage

by corrie.pennington / August 22, 2019

The Avendesora, a Wheel of Time cocktail

If you’re a Wheel of Time fan, the name of this drink caught your eye. But I’m sure few of you out there are… for now. Amazon Prime recently announced and began filming for a Wheel of Time series. As any book fan would be, I’m equally stoked and skeptical. Few on-screen adaptations live up to the glory found in the pages of their books. But one can hope!

Avendesora is the name of the last-remaining Chora tree in Wheel of Time lore. The name means “Tree of Life” and it plays a special role in the story. Perhaps once the series comes out, or if you’ve read the books, you’ll understand why I chose this name for this bitter/sweet/earthy cocktail.

The Avendesora is a Girl & Tonic original and is my absolute fav libation to date. It’s incredibly easy, refreshing, unique, and not sweet. It does require some more specific ingredients to make, but don’t worry– I list a modification if you can’t find the Fever Tree Lemon Tonic which, in my opinion, makes the drink.

Ingredients for an Avendesora Cocktail

2 oz tequila reposado (my husband gifted me Corzo and it’s the smoothest tequila I’ve had but $$$)
1/2 oz orange liqueur
1/2 oz+ freshly squeezed orange juice
2 oz+ lemon tonic water**
fresh sage

**Modification: If you can’t find lemon tonic water, use regular tonic and squeeze in some lemon juice.**

How to Make an Avendesora Cocktail

Add the tequila & 3-4 fresh sage leaves to a cocktail shaker. Muddle the sage with a muddler or the back of a spoon to bruise the leaves and release their flav. Add ice, pour in the orange liqueur and orange juice. Shake. Pour into a low-ball glass that’s filled with ice. Top with lemon tonic water & stir to mix. Garnish with a lil sage leaf.