Blackberry Cosmo Jelly Shot, garnished with a paper-thin slice of raw cranberry and a little lime zest. (Shown with Classic Cosmo, left, and Pear Cosmo, back.)
Funny, but it seems like we were just in Cosmo-ville, oh, wait, we WERE just here (with Pear Cosmo, Mandarin Cosmo and Mango too . . .). What can I say. I love a Cosmo. You must admit, although the Cosmo takes a lot of heat, it's a wonderful cocktail for entertaining - how often do you heard someone say, "oh, a Cosmo? No thanks, I really don't like Cosmos". Doesn't happen.
Practically everyone will drink a Cosmo - even the manliest of many men (aka my husband - the classic Cosmo is the only pink drink he will sip in public, he also mixes a mean Cosmo!)
So of course my heart skipped when Cocktail Culture featured a Blackberry Cosmo (click here for the liquid cocktail recipe). Blackberry brandy replaces the vodka found in the traditional recipe, and gives the jelly shot its wonderful coloring. I had to amend Cocktail Culture's recipe in order to achieve the same lovely lavender shade of their liquid cocktail - switched out the regular cranberry juice for white cran and added a drop of purple food coloring. Cocktail Culture's recipe specified Hiram Walker Blackberry brandy, but I had another brand on hand. The brand I used was more red than purple.
Hope you enjoy Blackberry Cosmo (recipe follows) - this jelly shot is perfect for your holiday table and beyond.
Cheers, Michelle
P.S. For my U.S. readers (as well as those who somehow managed to escape our borders to the Sofra Mr. M., this means you! I know you love a turkey and all the trimmings!) have a great Thanksgiving! I'll be back next week with holiday fun!
Blackberry Cosmopolitan Jelly Shots
Recommended Pan: Standard Loaf Pan (approximately 8” x 4”)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white cranberry juice cocktail
- ¾ cup Blackberry brandy
- 1/8 cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed and strained
- 1/8 cup water
- 1/4 cup Cointreau
- 2 envelopes Knox gelatin (if using molds, add 1/2 envelope additional gelatin. 1/2 envelope equals about a teaspoon of gelatin powder.)
- Optional, 1 drop purple food coloring (McCormick's makes one in its Neon Colors set)
- Lime zest for garnish, if desired
Pour cranberry and lime juices into a saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin. Allow to soak for a few minutes. Heat on low, stirring constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat. Stir in the liquors (and, if using, the food coloring), making sure to fully incorporate. Pour into pan, and chill until set, several hours or overnight.
To serve, cut into shapes (or unmold). Garnish with lime zest if desired. Makes 18 to 24 shots.
Links to the rest of the Cosmo family recipes:
Classic Cosmo
Mandarin and Mango Cosmo
Pear Cosmo
