This post originally appeared on Patreon. It contains affiliate links. See my disclaimer.
"Midsommar" is by far my favorite horror movie. Without giving it away, I'll just say I love the payoff in this film.
And I love a good "good for her" story.
Especially at the expense of a man. ✌️
It's become tradition on or around the summer solstice (June 20 this year, if you're wondering) to watch this movie, usually in the evening with a little charcuterie board and a summery cocktail.
I won't be home this weekend to partake in the tradition, so I got a jump start today.
For my summery cocktail, I made a gin and jam, but the real key here is the drinking vessel. More on that in a minute.
First, lets make the drink - and I have a spirited (with booze) AND spiritless (without booze) version for you!
Recipe: The May Queen’s Jam
The May Queen's Jam
Celebrate my favorite horror movie with the spirited OR spiritless take on a gin and jam cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 2 Tbsp jam (any flavor you have)
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Club soda
- 2 oz juice (complement to your jam flavor)
- 2 Tbsp jam (any flavor you have)
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Club soda
Instructions
- Pour your gin OR juice into your jar.
- Add 2 tablespoons of jam.
- Squeeze in your lemon.
- Screw the lid on and shake vigorous for at least 30 seconds. Check to see if the jam is fully incorporated with your liquids. If not, shake for 10-15 more seconds at a time until everything is well mixed.
- When everything is combined, add your drink to your cup. If your jam has seeds, consider straining the liquid as you pour into your cup.
- Add ice and top with club soda or whatever sparking water you might have on hand, and enjoy!
How to make your drink:
Instead of a cocktail shaker, I decided to use an actual jam jar for this recipe. A mason jar would work too. You'll want something that seals well for your shaking to get the jam incorporated into your liquid!
Pour your gin OR juice into your jar. If you're going the spiritless route, I suggest using a juice that complements your jam flavor. (Cherry jam 👉 cherry juice, berry jam 👉 berry juice, etc.)
For the spiritless option, you could also use a non-alcoholic gin for the flavors. I've been testing some NA spirits recently, and this zero proof gin is pretty decent. (But I also think there might be better out there! Let me know if you have a brand rec.)
I did buy mine at Total Wine for about $20, but I've seen this brand pop up at TJ Maxx and HomeGoods recently.
Add 2 tablespoons of jam. This can be ANY flavor you have in your fridge, and the measurement doesn't have to be exact. I just scooped approximately a tablespoon with a regular spoon.
It will also help with mixing the drink if your jam isn't cold straight out of the fridge. Consider letting it sit for a few minutes to warm up.
Note: You could also be more logical than I was and add your jam to the mixing jar first, let it warm up a bit, and then continue on with your drink. 🙃
Squeeze in your lemon! You can adjust this to taste. I like tart drinks, so I'm usually a bit more generous with my squeeze.
Note: Some gin and jam recipes call for simple syrup. Personally, I don't think the jam needs additional sugar, but it's a personal preference! I would only add this to the spirited version, and I would suggest 1/2 ounce to start and adjust to taste.
Screw the lid on and shake shake shake! Vigorous shaking for at least 30 seconds will be a good start. From there, check to see if the jam is fully incorporated with your liquids. If not, shake for 10-15 more seconds at a time until everything is well mixed.
When everything is combined, you can add your mix to your cup. If your jam has seeds, consider straining the liquid as you pour into your cup.
Add ice and top with club soda or whatever sparking water you might have on hand.
But the thing that'll take this drink over the top for the theme?
This cup! I saw these fly by on social media and immediately KNEW I wanted to do something related to "Midsommar" with them.
I grabbed a set (they come in 3-packs with six different lid color options) right away, and I mean, COME. ON. It's so perfect!
To fill this little guy, I actually doubled my recipe, then topped the last third with club soda.
This drink is only made better in the bear by using a red-hued jam, in my opinion.
Happy Midsommar!
Looking for more Summerween fun?
Check out these recipes:
Midsommar handbag is from Backstitch Bruja.
Flower crown was made by me.
