News flash - a flock of glowing vodka tonic bats is headed your way !
We've gone absolutely batty. Why, you ask? Well, for starters, these cute little Vodka Tonic Jelly Shot bats would put anyone over the edge! The best part - no fancy schmancy chemical agents or additives are required for this little trick. Quinine, the active ingredient in tonic water, naturally glows under black light! (Oh, the wondrous things one learns on the InterWeb.)
This photograph was taken offsite, over at Intern Doug's. Quick survey - let's have a show of hands, please. How many of you are the least bit surprised that Intern Doug has black lights in his basement? (Me neither . . . )
I used a Wilton ice cube tray for the bat mold . . . here's the link. These would be just as groovy set in a pan, and cut into cubes for serving, or set in tiny shot glasses, etc. The black light is obviously the key component of presentation here!
Enjoy! And XOXOX,
Michelle
P.S. Why, yes, gin would be a lovely substitute for vodka . . .
Vodka Tonic Jelly Shots
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups tonic water
- 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 envelopes plain Knox gelatin (makes a firm jelly shot for setting in a mold. Decrease to 2 or 2 1/2 envelopes if using other methods to set, such as loaf pan or mini martini glasses. An envelope of plain Knox gelatin equals about 2 tsp of gelatin powder.)
- 2/3 cup vodka (citrus flavored is nice . . .)
First, prepare the silicon molds with a light application of cooking spray. Then wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance. Place each mold on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to provide a stable surface for handling.
Combine the tonic, citrus juice, and sugar in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. (Mixture will be very foamy, but this will diminish.) Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka.
Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds, and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.
To serve, unmold, loosen the edges by pulling away from the side of the mold, and pop each jelly shot out.
