Fond Tidings . . .

JSTK's holiday gatherings can always use a shot of gelatinized cheer!  As such, our recent efforts have been in the vein of holiday-party-friendly Jelly Shots, including Apple Martini, Green Apple Martini, and Pomegranite Martini. We are also working on an Eggnog Jelly Shot.  What Holiday Happy Hour delights might you like to see in enshrined in the Halls of Gelatin?


We hope to have photos of the three new holiday martinis and other creations up on the blog soon. JSTK's intrepid photographer, JSTK Annie, is still on assignment exploring cocktail related fun on the Continent (I can't wait for her to arrive home and debrief regarding her findings!).

In the meantime, perhaps these adorable pics of the Kamikaze (Raspberry and Regular) Jelly Shot will tide you over until JSTK Annie's return! The shots were created with lovely jewel-shaped silicon molds from Paderno.

Plated Kamikaze and Raspberry Kamikaze Jelly Shots, front view

Kamikaze & Raspberry Kamikaze Jelly Shots, ready for their close up . . .

Cheers,

JSTK

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Whats in a Name?

Sidecar Jelly Shots, posing with orange slice candies

Oh, how we love the Sidecar! This classic cocktail was reportedly concocted in the 1920's for a patron of a Paris bar - a patron commonly driven about in a motorcycle sidecar.

The naming convention for the Sidecar is a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation, and we can't quite get past it. Which came first? Did the patron's familiar jaunty perch in the motorcycle sidecar suggest the cocktail’s appellation? On the other hand, it is entirely possible that the name had more practical roots, as a certain number of the Sidecars results in a state wherein one is best deposited directly into a motorcycle sidecar for some fresh air on the drive home.

Either way, the Sidecar Jelly Shot lives up to its cocktail inspiration, lemony, liquor-y, and ever so slightly confectionary . . .

Cheers,

JSTK

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Tea Time . . .

Arnie Palmer Jelly Shot, made with Sweet Tea Vodka

A reader recently introduced us to Sweet Tea Vodka - a delightful imbibable, indeed.  Our initial Jelly Shot experiments yielded what we are terming a "3-sheets version" of the Arnie Palmer (50/50 iced tea and lemonade).  The results were refreshing indeed! (And aren't they cute cut into little tea-glass-like rounds?)

Cheers,

JSTK

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VPL = Vodka Pink Lemonade

  Vodka Pink Lemonade on the Deck at Fletcher's

      Vodka Pink Lemonade Jelly Shot

 "VPL" is not always a unfortunate occurrence.  While for many this three letter acronym may have less than positive connotations*, as far as Jelly Shot Test Kitchen and everyone else in a 100 mile radius of Minneapolis is likely referring to Vodka Pink Lemonade rather than an unfortunate choice of foundation garments. 

Drinking a VPL on the deck of Lord Fletcher's (a landmark Lake Minnetonka establishment) while watching flocks of pretty, over-sized boats motor past is a summer must for Twin City locals and visitors alike. Fletcher's must serve several million gallons of this ambrosia during the dog days. 

The Vodka Pink Lemonade Jelly Shot, like its liquid inspiration, is refreshing and crisp and ever so tart on the tongue.

Cheers,

JSTK

*Visible Panty Lines

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Muddled

Mojito Jelly Shot

The Mojito Jelly Shot has proven its paces, receiving high marks from our Halloween audience as well as impromptu testers. It certainly is one of our favorites (Hhhm, do we say that every time? We are perhaps a touch fickle).

Rum, mint and lime is a hard combination to beat, however, this week we're studying the Mojito's kissing cousin, the Caipirinha!   Soon we head to an Argentine restaurant (a local restaurant with Argentine Food, not a restaurant IN Argentina, unfortunately) for a little "sugar cane liqueur and muddled lime" action.

Cheers, JSTK

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Let Us Eat Cake

Chocolate Cake Jelly Shot beckons from its raft of birthday candles

 

How could it be that the "Chocolate Cake Shot" was an unknown to us until JSTK Annie's recent conspiratorial gossip session (aka Happy Hour) with a favorite cohort?

For starters, JSTK Annie has for many years enforced a strict embargo against "drinks in small glasses", due to her waifish frame and tendency to completely overlook lunch.  Two other potential root causes for the ban include a run-in with tequila as a young lass, and, more recently, a family event called "Russia Night" which featured a delightful spread of caviar, smoked fish and well, lots and lots of tiny glasses of vodka (coriander infused!) on ice. 'Nuff said.

Thank goodness that weak wills bend.  That particular evening, JSTK Annie was but a reed in the wind.  Charming cohort ordered a chocolate cake - not of the molden lava variety - to share.  When one shot for each appeared, well, what could be done really . . . and what a fortunate occurance it was! YUM!

If you haven't tried one before, you should be aware of the three unusual things about the Chocolate Cake Shot: 1) it is not chocolate-y in color - it is in fact yellow;  2) it is served with the baffling accompaniment of sugar-coated lemon; and 3)  the shot tastes and smells EXACTLY like chocolate cake.  To paraphrase JSTK Annie, "The brain boggles!  Why, this must be gelatinized . . . and gelatinized soon!" 

And gelatinize we did!  The image above is from our first version of the Chocolate Cake Jelly Shot recipe - the shots are cut in the shape of tiny cake slices and couldn't be more adorable.  (We added layers of gelatinized chocolate liqueur for the "icing" . . .)  While the overall taste of the jelly shot was excellent, we found that with time in the refrigerator, the shots leeched vodka (horrors!) - an indication that the ratios of the recipe are just shy of spot-on and require further review.

Draft two of the Chocolate Cake Jelly Shot to be formulated soon . . .

Cheers, JSTK

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Halloween Festivities

Jelly Shot Platter

Front to Back:

Raspberry Kamikaze, Kamikaze Eyeballs

Tequila Sunset, Mojito

 We look forward to our neighborhood Halloween party every year;  it errs well on the side of a "bash"!  Best side to err on, really. . .

So, many thanks to our gracious hosts in the House on the Hill for yet another lovely All Hallow's Eve.  The food was fantastic; the Mad Scientist charismatic (we heard he melted a styrofoam head!); and the outdoor bar cozy with space heaters.  We had a wonderful time catching up with our grown-up neighbors and checking out all of the adorable kids' costumes pre-Tricks-or-Treats. 

In the "spirit" of ghoulish fun, we brought a sampler plate of jelly shots to the party:  Mojito, Tequila Sunrise, Kamikaze Eyeballs, and Raspberry Kamikaze.  The two varieties of Kamikaze were made with our new, fancy silicon molds . . . such fun!  While we are quite partial to the Raspberry Kamikaze,  we hear that the Mojito jelly shots were among the favorites of the party-goers this time.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween!

Cheers,

JSTK

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The Glamorous Grasshopper

Grasshopper Jelly Shots garnished with white chocolate

Recently, on the most perfect late summer afternoon imaginable, we attended an amazing wedding.  The ceremony was set in a forest glen that just happened to be in the bride and groom's backyard (just over the wooden bridge, on the other side of the koi pond . . .).  Pre-reception, guests sipped blended Grasshoppers (a favorite cocktail of the B&G) as the sunlight filtered gently through the oaks.  Just Delightful! 

Natch, when we were contemplating the creation of additional dessert jelly shots, Grasshopper Jelly Shot was at the top of the list.  Pictured above, this jelly shot is not just for after dinner anymore, but also suitable for serving at your afternoon wedding reception or tea with the Queen.

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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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