Less than three months ago, Lisa Roarke used an old family recipe, written on a dingy index card covered with jam stains, to make holiday gifts for her family and friends. That recipe quickly became an overnight favorite in Jackson Hole. Roarke, now the founder and head jammer of Tram Jam, has a growing business that donates a portion of all proceeds to Coombs Outdoors.
Never did I ever think that jam-making was going to be such a thing. It’s been super fun and I love that people are digging it. I’m very happy doing it. Its been super crazy, but I’m jammin!
Lisa Roarke, founder and head jammer of Tram Jam
The original, or OG Tram Jam, is made with organic strawberries and cranberries, sugar and spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and all-spice. Since Tram Jam made its debut in December, Roarke has created several new and unique flavors including the Huck-it Berry, made with local Idaho mountain huckleberries, organic blackberries and a spritz of fresh-squeezed lemon juice. The Apres Is My Jam, a spin on the unofficial drink of apres and a local favorite, the spicy marg, is packed with strawberries, orange zest, jalapeño, and a splash of triple sec. And a limited edition Jampagne, originally created for New Years Eve, is made with organic strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate seeds and champagne, was such a hit that it’s now available for any celebration.
It {Apres Is My Jam} has been really cool to see how people are using it too – on everything from ice cream to waffles. It tastes like a spicy marg and the house smells like a spicy marg when I make it. The only type of jam I had ever made was the original, so I’m really going out on a limb, but its been cool.
Lisa Roarke
In such a short time Tram Jam has partnered with several local businesses, adding fun flavors to a variety of foods around town like Tram Jam-filled donuts from Provisions, and jam-filled cookies from Happy Hannah Cakes and Lady In The Wild West. The flavor of the month at Coop and Co is a peanut butter and Huck-it Berry jam-filled macaron, and JH Charcuterie recently added Tram Jam to it’s charcuterie boxes to-go.
Roarke’s most recent experiments include creating a tea-infused jam, using the locally crafted Alpine Glow tea by Teton Teas. The combination of elderberry, raspberry, raisih, hibiscus, and rosehip, mixed with blueberries, strawberries, and lemon juice is how Teawinot was made. And the Shot 7, a classic Jackson Hole ski line, is a wild west jam made with Wyoming Whiskey, apples, peaches, Vermont maple syrup, and cinnamon. Fun fact, there are seven shots in a recipe.
It has been super fun to see everyone getting so creative. It’s fun too that it’s other small businesses. The coolest thing for me is to see other companies asking to use it in their products. It’s a local collaboration with lots of support.
Lisa Roarke
Tram Jam ships nationwide and is sold online and at MADE in Gaslight Alley. It is also available through Slow Food‘s online marketplace. Follow @tramjamjh on Instagram for updates. Call (307) 200-9092 or email gettramjam@gmail.com with questions. Local delivery to Jackson, Wilson and Teton village is available.
