You really can’t beat a spoonful of jam when you want to sweeten up your breakfast. It tastes great on toast, pancakes, yoghurt bowls and porridge, so it’s likely that many of us will have a jar lurking in the cupboards somewhere.
It also comes in so many delicious flavours, so whether you’re a fan or strawberry, cherry or apricot, there’s something to suit every taste. But when you reach the end of your jar, ‘never’ throw it in the bin straight away. That’s according to recipe creator Carleigh Bodrug, also known as PlantYou on TikTok, who is known for her zero-waste tips and tricks.
For a few years now, Carleigh has been helping people cut down on the amount of food they waste at home by sharing simple recipes using up those common scraps you don’t always know what to do with.
It can seem like a bit of a waste to throw away those almost-empty jars of jam, but when you’ve only got a tiny bit left in the jar, it’s not always obvious what you can do with it.
Thankfully, Carleigh has shared a simple yet delicious recipe for jam jar lemonade that is perfect for these warmer months. She’s hailed it as ‘the drink of the summer’, and it’s so straightfoward to make.
Method
To the almost-empty jam jar, add the lemon juice, maple syrup and ice, and top up the jar with water until it’s almost full. Put the lid on the jar and give it a really good shake for a couple of minutes.
Garnish with a few more slices of lemon and a few mint leaves, and you’ve got the most refreshing summer drink.
In the video’s comments, people thanked Carleigh for her advice, with some sharing their own recipe ideas for those almost-empty jars.
One person said: “I made overnight oats with chia with my leftover jam. These are a great idea too!”
Another wrote: “I do this with empty peanut butter jars, but add soy milk and chocolate protein. And ice to help mix it.”
And a third said: “I added red wine vinegar to the last of my mayo and added spices to make a creamy vinaigrette dressing.”