Jell-O Shots: Get the Giggles With the Squiggle

Rootbeer Jelly Shots

Jell-O pulled off one of the most successful advertising campaigns in industry history when it paired comedian/actor Bill Cosby with kids in the Jell-O makes you Giggle campaign. Cosby is back with Jell-O, but that has nothing to do with us o Blue Toast, except for the fact that the squishy stuff still makes us giggle especially when it's combined with liquor.

In the meantime, Michelle Palm has been working diligently enhance the Jell-O shot's reputation and features her findings in her new book Jelly Shot Test Kitchen. Palm has developed more than 60 recipes with the cold, squiggly staple, many of which are adapted from classic bar cocktails.

The Bramble Jelly Shot is just as divine and inviting as it looks — a lemon sour base, gin, and a float of blackberry liqueur.  The Bramble's translation to gelatin was conducted by noted cocktail expert/bartender/author Toby Cecchini. 


Flowers are synonymous with spring. That being said, can you say Elderflower Mojito jelly shot? That's precisely what Dolce & Gabbana when they asked Palmer about creating a jelly shot for their luxury magazine. And the Bushwacker Jelly Shot is, of course, inspired by the Bushwacker Cocktail.  It's a more of a tropical libation - the unofficial cocktail of the island of St. Thomas — and with it's two varieties of rum and myriad mix of liqueurs, the octane factor puts this in a category all its own. (photo)

Several weeks ago we introduced the Negroni (gin and campari) cocktail to drinking novices and even a few libation experts who just weren't familiar. That drink was invented in Italy by Count Negroni, thus the name. Fast forward 190 years and the Negroni is back. along with a number of other new and revived alcoholic concoctions through the beauty and the fun, known as the Jell-O shot.

 Combine 1 cup of water and and a 1-by-2 inch orange peel in a medium saucepan and sprinkle with 2 envelopes of gelatin. Let the gelatin soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard the orange zest. Stir in  ⅓ cup Campari, ⅓ cup sweet vermouth (preferably Italian), and ⅓ cup gin (preferably Bombay Sapphire) gin.

Pour the mixture into a 1-pound loaf pan (8-by-4 inches) and chill until fully set, several hours or overnight.

Run a knife around the edges and flip the pan over onto a flat surface to release the gelatin from the mold. To serve, cut into desired shapes and garnish with grated orange zest.

Makes 18 to 24 shots.