In the warm, summer months, mixing drinks with fresh fruit flavors can be as easy as walking outside and picking whatever you grow in your yard — or perusing the seasonal fruits in the produce section of your supermarket. Finding those same kinds of flavors in the winter can be a challenge, but you can still do it. Jarred fruit preserves (of the preserve, jam, or jelly variety) are made and processed at the fruit’s peak ripeness, so the finished product captures the flavors we love in the summer. The same stuff you spread on your peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich can help turn a boring cocktail into something memorable.
Today’s recipe is a simple example of how you can use preserves to create your own fruit-based cocktails in the winter. I’m using raspberry preserves, but you can use blueberry, lemon, apple… whatever you’d like. Since it’s a winter cocktail, we’re using cognac as the base liquor (it warms you so), but any whiskey (save Scotch) could work in its stead. I’m using St. Germain, an elderflower liqueur that’s grown popular in the last few years, to offset the tart raspberry notes with something a bit more complex and delicate, but you could substitute in whatever floats your boat. Want to mix strawberry jam with Midori (melon liqueur)? Apple jelly and limoncello? Get creative — and if you come up with a winning combination, let us know in the comments.
Raspberry-Elderflower Warmer
- 2 oz. cognac
- 1 oz. St. Germain liqueur
- 1 tbsp raspberry jam or preserves
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice, starting with the jam. Shake thoroughly to combine, and strain into a cocktail glass.
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