And now, an Important Safety Tip . . .

Dangerous Goods: Batch 1 Lemon Drop Jelly Shots

Most frequent of the JSTK Frequently Asked Questions (and we are 100% serious) is, "JSTK, can you find a way to put more alcohol in jelly shots?"  First, JSTK is all about the delicious, lovely, wiggly cocktail fun and not necessarily the octane of same.  However, since the topic of has been broached, rest assured that the JSTK jelly shots are plenty booze-tastic to start with. 

To illustrate, recall the classic Vodka Jell-O shots in the little plastic cup?  Now, remember the effects?  Yeoouch - we do. . .  The ratio of water to booze in a classic Jell-O shot is 3:1!  On the other hand, the vast majority of JSTK shots employ ratios similar to their cocktail inspirations - a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio of mixer to hootch.  Significantly higher than a classic Jell-O shot.  The moral of the story?  Don't be fooled - they only TASTE like candy . . . jelly shots are indeed cocktails!

Now back to the question of taste . . . its true that some alcohols may be gelatinized in their virgin state.  Other cocktails, including certain vodka-heavy drinks, may taste like heaven shaken with ice, but gelatinized . . . do not compute.  Which brings us to the Lemon Drop, and the to Lemon Drop Incident alluded to in previous posts.

We do taste and fret over each recipe (in all fairness, the liquid form the inaugural batch of Lemon Drop Jelly Shot was true to classic cocktail proportions and as bright and citrus-y as any we have had).  Once the mix is right, we proceed to gelatinization.  We also sample a tidbit of the shot immediately after the mixture set up.  We are like kids on Christmas - just can't help ourselves.  (Anyway, initially gelantinized batch 1 of Lemon Drop was yum.)

However, some how, some way, sinister forces congregated in the dark recesses of the refrigerator, penetrated the foil-covered Lemon Drop Shot pan, and concentrated the vodka taste exponentially, completely drowning out the shot's intended lemon and sugar crystal goodness.  And that, gentle readers, is how brave tester Shari came to: 1) consume a jelly shot that was rendolent of rubbing alcohol; 2) scorch the delicate insides of her mouth; and 3) earn the distinction of being the first (and only!) unfortunate victim of what is now commonly referred to (at least in JSTK circles) as Lemon Drop Syndrome (LDS for short). 

Finally, we are pleased to report that JS Annie (our intrepid photographer) is back in state from her travels.  Watch for her travel notes and perhaps a new Jelly Shot or two (we don't want to jinx it, however we think we are VERY CLOSE to perfecting the Sambuca!).

Cheers,

JSTK

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Jelly Shot Test Kitchen FAQs

Jelly Shots, Ready to Roll

Who is Jelly Shot Test Kitchen?

We are two sisters with a shared love of food, cocktails and inappropriately tall shoes. Between the two of us, we have lived the lives of Investment Banker, Software Manager, Photographer, Hedge Fund Maven, Al Bundy Shoe Store Slave, twice Economics students  as well as countless others that we've forgotten or deeply repressed.

What are Jelly Shots?

Remember college Jello-Shots?  The dixie cups filled with Jell-O brand gelatin, strong spirits and whipped cream?  Jelly Shots are a grown-up, sophisticated version of this phenom, sans cups of course.   Using the original concept as a spring board, classic cocktails are reinvented into their new, sassy gelatin selves.  The hallmarks of a successful jelly shot include: true flavor rendition of the original boozy libation and a free-spirited jiggling form that makes them a joy to devour.

Why Jelly Shots?

Why Not?  Who doesn't love the fun of a jiggling cocktail?  Taking a pedestrian jello-shot and turning it into something sublime is our ever beckoning, if somewhat eccentric, Homeric quest. 

Is it appropriate to toast my fellow diners with a Jelly Shot? 

Yes, of course!  Toasting has a long tradition and is a mark of respect to host and guests.   Not sure what to do?  Grasp your jelly shot between thumb and forefinger, and either "clink" it with your neighbor's shot as if it were a glass of champagne or simply raise an "air toast" with appropriate salutation (e.g. cheers, salut, chin chin).  Note that in some cultures it is important to make direct eye contact when raising your glass, errr . . . cube, that is.  The same rules apply here.

Where in the world is the Test Kitchen?

The Jelly Shot Test Kitchen is located in Edina, Minnesota.  Wikipedia indicates that the founding of Edina was a hotbed of in fighting between Scottish and Irish families who originally settled the area; the name Edina being a derivative of Edinburgh.   These days, the only war on the streets is between the local franchises of Sur la Table and Cooks of Crocus Hill to see whose kitchen store will reign supreme.  Also of interest, is that the City of Edina allows only municipal liquor stores to exist within its boundaries.  Smart kids those city counselors.

We are off at the Jelly Shot Summit until early next week.  Until then, cheers!

JSTK

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