Screwball Drink (Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail)
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Apr 10, 2025 
Also known as a Screwball Drink, this PB&J cocktail is a fun adults-only recipe made with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and homemade jelly simple syrup!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
As a child of the 80s that grew to be a busy mother of small children, you know I know the glory of PB&J sandwiches. Now that my kids are grown, I still occasionally get a craving for that perfectly simple combination of sweet jelly and nutty peanut butter… Aaaand the adult in me also could use a ‘lil something extra sometimes.
This Screwball Drink has a great balance of flavors from your childhood favorite, but with an adults-only kick that you want in a good liquor drink!
Why You’ll Love This Skrewball PB&J Cocktail
- Big Nostalgia Points – Each sip of these cocktails tastes just like a classic PB&J sandwich… Minus the bread and plus, well, booze!
- Fun and Flavorful – This peanut butter whiskey “Screwball Drink” is garnished with black grapes to mimic olives. How cool is that??
- Cocktail or Shot – Multiply ingredients for the number of drinks needed at your gathering, or reduce everything down to make PB&J shots.
Get ready to wow guests at your next gathering with these delightfully playful drinks!
Ingredients and Tips
- Jelly Simple Syrup – Homemade simple syrup with your choice of grape or strawberry jelly.
- Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey – Or other preferred peanut butter whiskey.
- Bitters – I suggest using either old fashioned or cinnamon bitters, for a warmer taste.
- Garnish – Depending on what type of jelly used to make the simple syrup, garnish each glass with fresh grapes or strawberries.
How to Make A Screwball Drink
Traditionally a Screwball Cocktail with Peanut Butter Whiskey and jelly simple syrup is served as a shot. However, we’ve changed the proportions and added bitters to create a true cocktail over ice.
Not only do these fabulous tweaks make the drink slightly less sweet and much more enjoyable, it’s also a better sipping beverage for parties.
Find the full Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and Jelly Cocktail recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Serving Suggestions
For a fun and creative presentation, you can rim your glass with some creamy peanut butter and crushed peanuts. Add a playful touch by garnishing your drink with mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on a cocktail toothpick.
If you’re going for a more elegant vibe, you can present your cocktail in a sleek martini glass or in coupe glasses.
I also love to serve these alongside a colorful charcuterie platter, or a dessert board loaded with chocolate and Reese’s peanut butter cups for an indulgent treat.
Recipe Variations
- Jelly Flavor – Grape and strawberry are classic PB&J flavors, but feel free to make the simple syrup with your favorite jelly flavor. Seedless raspberry or blackberry, cherry, and apricot are all delicious options.
- Chambord – Alternatively, you can use readymade raspberry Chambord instead of a jelly simple syrup.
- Orange Peel – Add an orange peel and a splash of club soda for a peanut butter Old Fashioned twist.
- Heavy Cream – Mix in a dash of heavy cream or Irish cream for a creamy dessert cocktail that will remind you of a Skrewball White Russian.
- Nutella – Add in some hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico for a nutty depth in your jelly drink.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Blend your drink with vanilla ice cream for a milkshake-style cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no need to chill the peanut butter whiskey. But you can if you like!
To prepare as a shot use 2 parts of whiskey to 1 part of the jelly simple syrup. So 1 ounce of Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey with .5 ounce simple syrup for a standard shot glass.
Yes! You can scale up the recipe and mix the Skrewball whiskey, jelly simple syrup, and bitters in a pitcher.
Screwball Drink (Skrewball PB&J Cocktail)
Video
Ingredients
For the Jelly Simple Syrup –
- 1 ounce grape jelly or strawberry jelly
- 2 ounces water
For the PB&J Cocktail –
- ½ ounce jelly simple syrup
- 2.5 ounces Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
- 4-5 dashes bitters old-fashioned or cinnamon
- Optional garnish: grapes or strawberries
Instructions
- For the Simple Syrup: Mix the grape (or strawberry) jelly and water and a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds until the jelly melts into the water. Stir well and cool completely.
- For each PB&J Cocktail: In a lowball glass, mix ½ ounce of jelly simple syrup, 2 ½ ounces of peanut butter whiskey, and 4-5 dashes of bitters. Stir well.
- Then add a large ice cube and garnish with a grape or strawberry.
This is so good and delish!!
Everyone enjoyed it!
Yes, please! This sounds outstanding!!
this cocktail is amazing! I love peanut butter whiskey and this makes it 10x better!