Pineapple Brandy Fix

Pineapple Brandy Fix Jelly Shot, a tasty little pineapple-topped bite . . . 

I am dedicating this post to my dear friend Eric, who is feeling down this week.  Eric usually doesn't read our silly little blog as he is awfully busy concocting Prohibition era cocktails, making his own bitters, and other such fabulous-ities.  But in the rare occasion that he does stop by, I hope that the following translation of a truly uber-classic cocktail, the Brandy Fix, will bring a smile to his face (or "fix him up" - sorry, the pun was irresistible).  "Fixes" after all, are a style of cocktail popular in the 19th century before dropping into obscurity.  VERY classic, no?  (I just learned about Fixes courtesy of the recipe archive of Imbibe magazine - which featured this excellent recipe for a liquid Brandy Fix.)

Candy Corn Jello (non-alcoholic)

Candy Corn Jello . . . its true . . . I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

I'm back!  Have been out of the Test Kitchen dealing with book-related issues/scenarios/tasks. . . its really coming along - fast and furious!  Such a hullabaloo has ensued that  was worried I wouldn't be able to post again before Halloween.  Which would have been a shame, as there is one more kid-friendly Halloween treat up my sleeve . . . Candy Corn Jello!  Aren't they cute? Yummy too - a creamsicle-like concoction of orange jello and a sweetened condensed milk based gelatin - so creamy and good!

Recipe follows.

Jellied Eyeballs (non-alcoholic)

Eye See U!  Jellied Eyeballs gaze out of their little cupcake wrappers . . . . 

This picture cracks me up. I love the glistening little eyeballs in the cupcake wrappers - its a juxtaposition of so warped and so sweet . . .

Those who have been following the blog for a while will recall that this is our second Halloween pass at the eyeball theme - last year we featured an adult, full blown alcoholic Kamikaze jelly shot recipe. Feedback was that a non-alcoholic version would be great for children's Halloween parties, so here it is.  The recipe is simply . . . white cranberry or white grape juice with plain gelatin.  Kinda deceptively healthy, isn't it?  You could also use 50/50 lemon-lime soda and juice . . .

A Cosmopolitan of a Different Color . . .

Jewel-shaped bites of Pear Cosmopolitan - perfect for a "Girl's Night In" . . .

A new barkeep/mixologist friend mentioned in passing concocting a pear cosmopolitan via a swap of cran for white cran and orange vodka for pear flavored.  Being crazy for all things pear, we couldn't resist a little experimentation with our existing cosmo jelly shot recipe.  The result is a not-too-sweet, mild and undeniably nosh-able jelly shot!

Rainbow Cherry Jigglers

Rainbow Cherry Jigglers, ready to party!

When serving jelly shots at mixed gatherings, I like to also provide some kid-friendly non-alcoholic options.  Often its simply multicolored layered jigglers, or a juice-based gelatin molded into a fun shape.  I recently ran across these adorable Roland brand rainbow-hued, flavored maraschino cherries