The Pantry Item That Will Make Your At-Home Coffee Taste Like it Came From a Fancy Coffee Shop

If you opened my fridge right now, two things would stand out immediately: an impressive lineup of flavored coffee creamers and a collection of half-full jam jars. Coffee is my lifeline, and toast with jam? Pure morning joy. But no matter how much I love jam, I always end up with jars that have just a stubborn little bit left at the bottom—too little for toast but too much to toss.

Luckily, I’ve found a way to make those last bits count, thanks to content creator @hope_zuckerbrow. This is a total game-changer for me, especially because I always want to try new coffee and I hate wasting food.

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Why You Should Make Coffee in a Nearly Empty Jam Jar

She says you should not toss that nearly empty jam jar, but rather use it to make an amazing iced coffee instead!

That last bit of jam clinging to the sides is pure flavor gold, just waiting to be put to good use. Here’s how to transform it into a fruity, coffee-shop-worthy drink in under a minute.

Start by pouring a splash of your favorite milk or coffee creamer into the jam jar—vanilla, caramel or even sweet cream will work beautifully. Secure the lid and give it a good shake to loosen up the jam, creating a sweet, flavorful syrup. Then, top that off with freshly brewed coffee and give it a good stir to get the last of the jam.

If you like your coffee extra sweet, add a little sugar or flavored syrup. Then, put ice in a large glass, place a small strainer over the glass and pour in your coffee. Shake or stir, pop in a straw and enjoy!

You can also use this trick to make a hot coffee (which is my preference). Just skip the ice!

Related: The Canadian Way to Make Coffee 10x Better

Make It Your Own

The jam adds a subtle fruity twist that pairs surprisingly well with coffee—think raspberry mocha or blueberry vanilla latte. Plus, you get every last delicious drop of jam, zero waste and a fun, café-style drink at home.

And you can make this all your own!

Go classic and cozy with strawberry jam and vanilla creamer. This creates a strawberries-and-cream coffee dream! Raspberry jam and chocolate milk is basically a mocha truffle in a cup and adds a sweet twist to any breakfast or afternoon snack time.

Want something to help you wake up? Go with a bright and fruity combo, like apricot jam and almond milk, which creates a nutty and bright brew to sip. Blueberry jam and oat milk? It’s like a berry cobbler for breakfast!

Make something a little more decadent with a rich and unexpected combo, like blackberry jam and cinnamon creamer, which gives warm, spiced berry vibes. Cherry jam and chocolate creamer will give you a Black Forest cake in a cup—how luxurious!

Don't hesitate to experiment and mix and match to turn your leftover jam into the best coffee ever!

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