This mint strawberry jam cocktail is a bright, easy summer drink made with vodka, seedless strawberry jam, fresh mint, and sparkling water. Serve it in a mason jar or jam jar for a relaxed party-ready touch.
Summer gatherings call for drinks that are refreshing, simple to make, and easy to serve. This strawberry mint jam cocktail checks every box. It has the sweet berry flavor of strawberry jam, the clean lift of fresh mint, the smooth base of vodka, and a fizzy finish from sparkling water. It is the kind of cocktail that feels special without requiring a long list of unusual ingredients.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses ingredients many people already keep at home. Strawberry jam is not just for toast or peanut butter sandwiches; it can also bring rich fruit flavor and a pretty color to a cocktail. When shaken with vodka and a little grenadine or simple syrup, the jam blends into a smooth, sweet mixture that tastes like summer in a glass.
This drink is especially convenient for barbecues, patio dinners, pool parties, and casual weekend get-togethers. You do not need specialty liqueurs or complicated bar techniques. A cocktail shaker, a few mint leaves, and a jar of seedless strawberry jam are enough to create a fun and flavorful vodka cocktail that looks beautiful when poured over ice.
The fresh mint is what keeps this strawberry jam cocktail from tasting too sweet. Muddling the mint gently releases its aroma and flavor, giving the drink a cool, herbal note. If you have a muddler, use it to press the leaves just until they become fragrant. If you do not have one, the back of a long spoon works too. The goal is to bruise the mint, not crush it into tiny pieces.
Seedless strawberry jam is recommended for the smoothest cocktail. Jam with seeds can still be used, but it may require extra shaking and careful straining. The seeds can also make the drink look less clear and may change the texture. For the cleanest finish, choose a smooth seedless jam and shake it well with ice so it dissolves into the vodka mixture.
This mint strawberry jam cocktail also includes grenadine or simple syrup. Grenadine adds sweetness and a deeper red color, while simple syrup gives a cleaner, more neutral sweetness. Either option works well. If you prefer to make simple syrup at home, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small pot and warm the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool completely before adding it to the shaker.
Because this recipe uses only a small amount of grenadine or syrup, you can choose whichever option is more convenient. The strawberry jam already adds plenty of fruit flavor, so the extra sweetener is there to round out the drink and balance the sparkling water.
For serving, rocks glasses work beautifully, but mason jars or small jam jars make the cocktail feel even more festive. Fill each glass with ice, strain the shaken strawberry mixture over the top, and finish with sparkling water. A few fresh mint leaves make a simple garnish and hint at the refreshing flavor inside the glass.
This easy strawberry mint vodka cocktail is best served right away, while the ice is cold and the sparkling water is bubbly. If you are hosting a party, you can muddle the mint and measure the jam, vodka, and grenadine shortly before guests arrive, then shake and top with sparkling water when ready to serve.
Strawberry Mint Jam Cocktail
Ingredients
- 6 mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons seedless strawberry jam
- 4 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine or simple syrup
- sparkling water
Instructions
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Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Press gently with a muddler until the mint becomes fragrant.
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Divide the muddled mint between 2 rocks glasses, then fill each glass with ice.
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Add the strawberry jam, vodka, grenadine or simple syrup, and several ice cubes to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
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Strain the strawberry mixture into the prepared glasses over the ice. Top each cocktail with sparkling water and garnish with extra mint leaves, if desired.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 23.7 g
| Protein: 0.2 g
| Fat: 0.04 g
| Sugar: 16.3 g