I mentioned to a dear friend that I was working on a new jelly shot for Valentines Day. She indicated that she would rather eat glass than be subjected to another syrupy pink sentiment of a disingenuous holiday, from JSTK or otherwise. Or words to that effect (your dear M. has scrubbed them up a touch for publication on the interwebs).
So, the Raspberry Marshmallow-tini Jelly Shot, with its mended-heart motif is dedicated to those who may be hosting Anti-Valentines Day celebrations, or perhaps are just feeling a little shat upon in the romance department. It's cute, without being cloying - and tasty to boot.
We were after a sweet-tart effect, and as such chose Hangar One Raspberry vodka for the clear gelatin portion. This is just a beautiful vodka - tart, and flecked with little bits of berry. Hangar One makes one batch a year each June, when the berries are ripe. What better story is there than that? Genius. If you can find it, buy it. Otherwise, there are many other lovely raspberry vodkas out there. You may even have one in your cupboard already.
Regarding color, there are but a few times a year when we like to use food coloring at JSTK, and Valentines is one of them. We used McCormick's Neon shades, in pink for both layers.
If you don't feel like an art project, this jelly shot can be made in two layers, in two 1 lb loaf pans. Just chill the raspberry layer in the fridge until mostly set, but slightly sticky when touched, then add the slightly cooled marshmallow layer, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight and slice up for serving. You know the drill by now, dears ...
Full recipe and step-by-steps follow.
Happy Valentines Day and a big smooshy kiss from your Valentine,
Michelle
Assess your need for food coloring, and add if desired. (We used 1 drop of pink.) Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the mold from the refrigerator. Fill the empty parts of each heart cavity. Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until fully set, several hours or overnight. Unmold just before serving.
Raspberry Marshmallow-tini Jelly Shots
Raspberry Layer
- 2/3 cup lemon-lime soda (flat is best – avoids bubbles)
- 2 envelopes plain gelatin (we use Knox brand, each envelope contains about 2 tsp gelatin powder – each envelope contains enough to gel 1 cup of jelly shot liquid)
- 2/3 cup sweet and sour mix (or lemonade)
- 2/3 cup raspberry flavored vodka (we used Hangar One Raspberry Vodka)
- Pink or red liquid food coloring
Marshmallow Layer
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 1 envelope plain gelatin (we use Knox brand, each envelope contains about 2 tsp gelatin powder – which is enough to gel 1 cup of jelly shot liquid)
- 2/3 cup vanilla flavored vodka
- 1/3 cup Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
- Pink or red liquid food coloring
Pan: Heart-shaped silicon mold (we used a 24-cavity Wilton brand silicon mold)
Prepare your mold by spraying lightly with cooking spray, and then wiping each cavity clean. The idea is to leave only the slightest residue of spray to assist in unmolding your jelly shots. Place the mold on a sturdy, portable flat surface, such as a cookie sheet or cutting board.
Next, prepare the raspberry layer. Pour the soda into a saucepan. Sprinkle with gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until gelatin is fully dissolved (just a few minutes). Stir in the sweet and sour mix (or lemonade) and vodka.
Assess your need for food coloring, and if needed stir in a few drops of the pink or red food coloring. (Some vodka brands already have coloring in them and your mixture will not need any more – ours did.)
Fill the mold cavities. Refrigerate the mold until the gelatin is set, and firm to the touch, about 2 to 3 hours.
Remove the mold from the refrigerator. With a small, sharp knife, cut jagged zig-zag breaks in each heart cavity, carefully removing one half. Try not to separate the other half from the edges of the mold when removing. It’s a delicate procedure! (If desired, set the gelatin remnants aside in covered bowl in the refrigerator - you can make a mosaic jelly shot later.)
Return the mold to the refrigerator.
Prepare the marshmallow layer. Pour water into a saucepan. Sprinkle with gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two. Add the sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until gelatin is fully dissolved (just a few minutes).
Stir in the marshmallow vodka, white chocolate liqueur. Assess your need for food coloring, and add if desired. (We used 1 drop of pink.)
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the mold from the refrigerator. Fill the empty parts of each heart cavity. Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until fully set, several hours or overnight. If refrigerating overnight, be sure to tent the mold with aluminum foil. Otherwise, the hearts will shrink and dry up. (Goodness, it seems like there is a metaphor in there somewhere, doesn’t it?)
(If making mosaic gelatin from the remnants, retrieve the raspberry remnants from the refrigerator. Dice up a bit and place them in small container, evenly dispersed. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the top, refrigerate until set, and cut into cubes for serving)
Unmold just before serving. To unmold, simply loosen the edges by gently pulling away from the side of the mold with your fingers. Then pop each jelly shot out onto your serving platter.
Yield: 18 to 24 jelly shots
