(This is an updated post originally published on September 22, 2015. I have updated the pictures and added some subtext.)
This black raspberry jam bourbon cocktail is a sweet, tart delicious combination of flavors that will make you want to drink your jam instead of eating it on toast.
Jam cocktails have been a thing for a few years now. I’ve never tried one but I have always been intrigued by them. I have actually been known to make and can my own jams and jellies. It makes me feel all Laura Ingalls or Amish to can my own food. And it’s so pretty to look at too. I mentioned before that black raspberries are my favorite food/fruit/thing of all time. Well I can’t bring myself to use the berries to make jam because I eat them all before I can save a few pounds of them. But lucky for me, there’s a regular customer/friend at the bar where I work who makes his own black raspberry jam/jelly and he was nice enough to give me a jar.
So of course I made a cocktail with it.
You know, because most people would just eat it on toast. Ok, actually I made homemade cornbread and ate that with the jam first. Then I thought oh hey let’s try this in one of those jam cocktails.
*Update- I no longer work as a bartender and I found some delicious seedless black raspberry jam from Triple B Farms in Monongahela, PA. Also I have since made several jam cocktails like this apricot jam margarita. rum fig jam cocktail, bourbon cranberry fig jam cocktail and this Elvis sandwich cocktail.
Recipe for black raspberry bourbon jam cocktail
Basically, I tried this drink 2 different ways but used bourbon with both variations. I used lemon juice in one and cranberry juice in the other. Both were good but I prefer the cranberry juice. I was afraid it would overpower the black raspberry but it actually complimented it. Consequently, the lemon juice was a little more overpowering but it gave the cocktail a more fruity refreshing taste.
So I still haven’t learned how to use my fancy pants new camera yet. While I was making these cocktails I was getting very frustrated with my other camera and the lighting and all that crap and then I started taking pictures and realized the memory card wasn’t in the camera so I had to go find it. So while all this is happening I decided to just make a regular old bourbon and coke to sip on and then remembered I hadn’t eaten in a very long time. After I was done taking pictures I also realized I now had 3 beverages to drink on an empty stomach. Oops. #drinkbloggerproblems
*Update- I’m still learning but my pictures are way better than the used to be, hence the update.
Black raspberry jam bourbon cocktail
(serves 1)
2 oz bourbon
1 TBL black raspberry jam
1 oz cranberry juice (or 3/4 oz lemon juice)
splash club soda
Lemon wheel for garnish, optional
Mint sprig for garnish, optional
Add ice and first 3 ingredients to cocktail shaker. Shake really well to get the jam mixed in. Empty shaker into a glass or strain into a glass with ice and add a splash of club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig, optional
To health, wealth, and happiness! Cheers!