Jelly Shots in the News - WSJ Feb 1, 2010

Did everyone catch the gorgeous article in the WSJ yesterday featuring some very fancy-fancy NYC and Windy City jelly shots?

View and prepare to swoon!

Wall Street Journal / FOOD & DRINK
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
Chefs Cook Up Cocktails
Chefs like Grant Achatz and Wylie Dufresne are trying to revolutionize the mixed drink. Gelée whiskey, anyone?

Cheers,

JSTK

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Don't Forget the Gin . . .

 

Ingredients for Bee's Knees (along with the GIN of  course)

This weekend was all about the subtle flavors of gin at the Test Kitchen,  with very successful trials of the Gimlet and Gin Fizz Jelly Shots.  Additionally, we had a last-minute surprise entrant to the Halls of Gelatin - the Bees Knees, a completely delightful libation consisting of gin, honey and lemon.  The earthiness of the honey against the bright citrus proved a winning combination.

We were surprised at how subtly the gin, a fairly bold spirit in its natural state, takes to gelatin form.  This proved an unexpected about-face compared with our friend vodka, which can turn hostile and mean-spirited (aha! pun!) when gelatinized unless matched with the right balance of ingredients.

We will soon have some exciting news to share but will keep you in suspense, dear readers, a few moments longer.  Until then . . .

Cheers,

JSTK

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Helllloooooo Chai-tini!!

Dessert Jelly Shots in the Test Kitchen:

(clockwise from bottom left) Chocolate Martini, White Chocolate Martini,

Chai-tini, Grasshopper

We've been working on the dessert martinis this week, with excellent results.  Notably, the ellusive Chocolate Martini, White Chocolate Martini, and minty Grasshopper, as well as a brand new dessert-tini jelly shot, the Chai-tini. 

We first had a Chai-tini  cocktail after dinner over the holiday break.  (Ahem . . .now that you mention it, Yes, there was a fair amount of cocktail sampling over the holidays.  And No, that had nothing to do with our lack of posting!!!)  A heady combination of chai blended with ginger vodka, the Chai-tini warranted immediate gelatinization! 

First we recreated the original cocktail over several closed-door shaker sessions.  Then the recipe was tested and tweaked to arrive in its final gelatin form.  It was a tester favorite, and we have to agree . . . the Chai-tini Jelly Shot's dipped-in-cinnamon-sugar goodness is wonderful on its own, but complements the other dessert-tini jelly shots equally well.

Cheers,

JSTK

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Kir Royale-ly Pleased With Ourselves

Kir Royale cocktail

"Kir Royale?  Oh yes.  Lovely aperitif.  Friendly at holiday gatherings.  Nice with a cheese plate.  Shouldn't be a problem to gelatinize.," we said, with a tone excuding confidence and verve.  "Champagne base, plus creme de cassis . . . so simple!"

However, the first batch. . . . runny. 
The next . . . cement-y. 
Several additional attempts . . . equally unfortunate for a variety of un-palatable reasons.
The batch we wanted to take to the New Year's eve party . . . . . . huzzah! perfect on top, but WAIT - grainy on the bottom.   [sigh]

Finally, last week, a breakthrough in Kir Royale technology.  We feel like Mesdames Curie! Except without all the radiation of course.

Cheers,

JSTK

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Over-due Apple Time

Hello JSTK-ers.  Sorry for the long absence - we did miss you all terribly!  With Annie in Europe over Thanksgiving, and the flurry of the holidays, the entire month of December just ran, fleet footed,  away from us . . . 

You will of course forgive us when you see what we've been working on (truly we have been busy busy busy!).  Apple martinis - Green Apple and  a classic apple (with Apfelkorn) - aren't they adorable?  Tasty too!

Apple and Green Apple Martini Jelly Shots

As New Years approached, our thoughts turned to bubbly!  The Kir Royale Jelly Shot recipe was just finalized and will have its photo shoot next week.   Ah, prepare for the bright lights Ms. Royale!  Mr. DeMille, she's ready for her close-up!

Cheers,

JSTK

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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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