Jiggers of Apple Cider Jello Shots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Here Come the Holidays: Jiggers of Apple Cider Jello Shots! It’s a chilly winter’s evening where the crackling flames encompass the fireplace logs. My husband and I are snuggling under woolen blanket throws as we binge-watch another series on Netflix. I think we’re addicted. No judgement, please. Outside the windows, the ground takes on a blueish tint as the snow and ice reflect the elusive rays of fading daylight. From time to time, gusts of air beguile the wind chimes into dancing around in synchronized motion. It’s times like these where I slip my toes into sherpa-lined slippers and pad my way to the kitchen for a sinfully delicious elixir of life. You may, too. For adults only.

JIGGERS OF APPLE CIDER JELLO SHOTS

Ingredients for Jello Shots:

1 cup bourbon

2 cinnamon sticks

1 cup apple cider

1/4 cup sugar

2 packets gelatin

Ingredients for Serving:

1 cup sugar

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Lemon wedge

Whipped cream, for garnish

Star anise, for garnish

Instructions:

In a glass jar, combine bourbon and cinnamon sticks. Cover. Infuse flavor for two days; remove cinnamon sticks and discard. Set aside. Lightly spray 10-12 shot glasses with nonstick oil. Wipe away excess. In a saucepan, combine apple cider and sugar. Sprinkle gelatin over top. Allow to sit for 3 minutes, or until surface has a wrinkled appearance. Warm mixture on medium heat until sugar and gelatin have dissolved, about 2 minutes. Mixture will be smooth. Stir in spiced bourbon. Pour into prepared shot glasses. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. To finish, combine sugar and ground cinnamon. Transfer mixture to a plate. Rub the lemon wedge around the rim of the shot glass. Dip into the cinnamon sugar topping. Place shot glass on a tray. Repeat with remaining desserts. Keep refrigerated. To serve, add a dollop of whipped cream and a star anise. Serve chilled.

Zapata Tequila Shots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Uplifting Aromas: Zapata Tequila Shots! You’re either going to love me or hate me for this recipe, so first hear me out. I’m a tequila-girl; not a crazy one, but one who has a zest for life. I like chili peppers, too. As you read through the recipe, let me offer alternative ways to “tone down” the cocktail. Because the non-alcoholic margarita mix is frozen into cubes, they can be dropped into a blender and made into a tasty frozen margarita. Simply adjust the amount of spicy tequila (or not) to suit your taste. A slushy is also very tasty, using the non-alcoholic margarita mix ice cubes and adding sparkling water. Now you see, everyone can be happy with this tasty margarita.

ZAPATA TEQUILA SHOTS

Ingredients:

Chili-lime seasoning blend

1 cube of frozen margarita mix*

1 1/2 ounces pepper-infused tequila**

Jalapeño slice, for garnish

Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

Sprinkle the chili-lime seasoning onto a saucer. Circle the rim of a stemmed cocktail shot glass with a fresh cut lime. Dip the glass onto the saucer of chili-lime seasoning to create a flavorful rim. Add one cube of frozen margarita mix. Pour the pepper-infused tequila over the ice cube. Add a jalapeño slice and lime wedge for garnish. Serve.

Advanced Instructions for Frozen Margarita Mix Ice Cubes:

*Using small 15-count square silicone ice cube trays, fill each tray with your favorite margarita mix. Freeze overnight. Remove cocktail ice cubes and store in zipper freezer bags. Repeat until all the margarita mix is frozen into ice cubes.

Advanced Instructions for Pepper-Infused Tequila:

**To make your own version of pepper-infused tequila, begin with 750 mL of blue agave tequila gold. Using gloves, slice 2-3 chili peppers. Remove stems and partial seeds to control heat; discard. Add the sliced chili peppers to bottle of tequila. Reseal; shake bottle. Store in a cool, dry area for one week. Then pour the tequila through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup. Transfer the pepper-infused tequila back into the bottle. Seal and store in the refrigerator.

Dalgona Espresso Shots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Table Food: Dalgona Espresso Shots! If it’s one thing I learned during our time of self-isolation, it was how to make each day something special to look forward to. So every afternoon, in the middle of our day, I’d stop what I was doing and pad off to the kitchen for a delightful diversion. Thanks to my virtual friends, Jyothi* and Judy**, I became a connoisseur of the “Coffee Break”. Both women perfected the art of Dalgona Coffee, a form of whipped coffee that requires only a few simple ingredients: instant coffee, sugar, and milk. (Feel free to click on their links at the bottom of the page.) I became quite lazy about whipping the topping into a mountain of fluff by allowing the milk frother on my espresso machine to become the workhorse. At the press of a button, it became thick, frothy, and ready to pour. Although the aroma would waft throughout the house announcing my arrival, I’d still carry the espresso shots into my husband’s office and proclaim with a smile, “Time for coffee.”

DALGONA ESPRESSO SHOTS

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons sugar

4 teaspoons instant Mexican espresso coffee

4 teaspoons cold water

Light cream, for serving

Dark chocolate espresso beans, crushed, for garnish

Instructions:

Using a milk frother, combine sugar, instant espresso coffee, and cold water. Press the setting for a cold beverage. Let the machine run through two cycles to thicken the whipped coffee. Fill two espresso shot glasses 3/4 full with light cream. Carefully spoon the whipped espresso topping over the cream. Garnish with a sprinkling of crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans. Serve immediately.

*Follow the link to Jyothi

http://thefriendlyepicurean.com/2020/04/13

**Follow the link to Judy

http://cookingwithauntjuju.com/2020/04/22

Vodka Jello Shots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Foodstuff Redefined: Vodka Jello Shots! As a child of the ’60s, one of my favorite desserts was fruit-flavored gelatin. Sometimes it would have sliced bananas, strawberries, carrots, or fruit cocktail mixed in. The recipe was pretty simple. Add water and stir. Nowadays, substituting part of the water for a popular distilled spirit turns a childhood dessert into a slurpable cocktail. Drink responsibly.

VODKA JELLO SHOTS

Ingredients:

3-ounce package orange gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup iced water

1/2 cup vodka

Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Empty contents of orange gelatin packet into a large bowl. Add boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add iced water and vodka. Stir well. Pour into shot glasses. Refrigerate four hours or until set. Garnish with fresh mint before serving.

Jiggers of Apple Cider Jello Shots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? After the Holidays: Jiggers of Apple Cider Jello Shots! It’s a chilly winter’s evening where the crackling flames encompass the fireplace logs. My husband and I are snuggling under woolen blanket throws as we binge-watch another series on Netflix. I think we’re addicted. No judgement, please. Outside the windows, the ground takes on a blueish tint as the snow and ice reflect the elusive rays of fading daylight. From time to time, gusts of air beguile the wind chimes into dancing around in synchronized motion. It’s times like these where I slip my toes into sherpa-lined slippers and pad my way to the kitchen for a sinfully delicious elixir of life. You may, too. For adults only.

JIGGERS OF APPLE CIDER JELLO SHOTS

Ingredients for Jello Shots:

1 cup bourbon

2 cinnamon sticks

1 cup apple cider

1/4 cup sugar

2 packets gelatin

Ingredients for Serving:

1 cup sugar

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Lemon wedge

Whipped cream, for garnish

Star anise, for garnish

Instructions:

In a glass jar, combine bourbon and cinnamon sticks. Cover. Infuse flavor for two days; remove cinnamon sticks and discard. Set aside. Lightly spray 10-12 shot glasses with nonstick oil. Wipe away excess. In a saucepan, combine apple cider and sugar. Sprinkle gelatin over top. Allow to sit for 3 minutes, or until surface has a wrinkled appearance. Warm mixture on medium heat until sugar and gelatin have dissolved, about 2 minutes. Mixture will be smooth. Stir in spiced bourbon. Pour into prepared shot glasses. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. To finish, combine sugar and ground cinnamon. Transfer mixture to a plate. Rub the lemon wedge around the rim of the shot glass. Dip into the cinnamon sugar topping. Place shot glass on a tray. Repeat with remaining desserts. Keep refrigerated. To serve, add a dollop of whipped cream and a star anise. Serve chilled.

Jell-O Shots with Sugared Cranberries

Experience the Holidays: Jell-O Shots With Sugared Cranberries! The holidays ring in the cheer with festive activities, enticing food, and snappy beverages. Make things awesome with dressed up Jell-O shots that cap off any occasion. Not only do they have an elegant look, but they satisfy the sweet tooth as a miniature dessert. By creating a garnish of fresh fruit with the sugared cranberries, it’s a classy finish with a gourmet twist!

JELL-O SHOTS WITH SUGARED CRANBERRIES

For Make-Ahead Sugared Cranberries:

2 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup filtered water

12-ounce bag fresh cranberries

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup filtered water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Add cranberries. To prevent cranberries from bursting, do not boil. Stir until well coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a wire rack. Let dry for one hour. Working in batches, roll cranberries in remaining sugar until well coated. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight. Store in airtight container.

Ingredients for Jell-o Shots:

3-ounce package raspberry gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup amaretto liqueur

1/2 cup ice water

Sugared cranberries Rosemary sprigs

Instructions:

Empty contents of raspberry gelatin packet into a mixing bowl. Add boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add iced water and amaretto liqueur and iced water. Stir well. Pour into shot glasses. Refrigerate until set, 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs just before serving.

Dalgona Espresso Shots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Table Food: Dalgona Espresso Shots! If it’s one thing I learned during our time of self-isolation, it was how to make each day something special to look forward to. So every afternoon, in the middle of our day, I’d stop what I was doing and pad off to the kitchen for a delightful diversion. Thanks to my virtual friends, Jyothi* and Judy**, I became a connoisseur of the “Coffee Break”. Both women perfected the art of Dalgona Coffee, a form of whipped coffee that requires only a few simple ingredients: instant coffee, sugar, and milk. (Feel free to click on their links at the bottom of the page.) I became quite lazy about whipping the topping into a mountain of fluff by allowing the milk frother on my espresso machine to become the workhorse. At the press of a button, it became thick, frothy, and ready to pour. Although the aroma would waft throughout the house announcing my arrival, I’d still carry the espresso shots into my husband’s office and proclaim with a smile, “Time for coffee.”

DALGONA ESPRESSO SHOTS

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons sugar

4 teaspoons instant Mexican espresso coffee

4 teaspoons cold water

Light cream, for serving

Dark chocolate espresso beans, crushed, for garnish

Instructions:

Using a milk frother, combine sugar, instant espresso coffee, and cold water. Press the setting for a cold beverage. Let the machine run through two cycles to thicken the whipped coffee. Fill two espresso shot glasses 3/4 full with light cream. Carefully spoon the whipped espresso topping over the cream. Garnish with a sprinkling of crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans. Serve immediately.

*Follow the link to Jyothi

http://thefriendlyepicurean.com/2020/04/13

**Follow the link to Judy

http://cookingwithauntjuju.com/2020/04/22

Jell-o Shots with Sugared Cranberries

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Sweet Celebrations: Jell-o Shots With Sugared Cranberries! The holidays ring in the cheer with festive activities, enticing food, and snappy beverages. Make things awesome with dressed up Jell-O shots that cap off any occasion. Not only do they have an elegant look, but they satisfy the sweet tooth as a miniature dessert. By creating a garnish of fresh fruit with the sugared cranberries, it’s a classy finish with a gourmet twist!

JELL-O SHOTS WITH SUGARED CRANBERRIES

For Make-Ahead Sugared Cranberries:

2 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup filtered water

12-ounce bag fresh cranberries

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup filtered water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Add cranberries. To prevent cranberries from bursting, do not boil. Stir until well coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a wire rack. Let dry for one hour. Working in batches, roll cranberries in remaining sugar until well coated. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight. Store in airtight container.

Ingredients for Jell-o Shots:

3-ounce package raspberry gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup amaretto liqueur

1/2 cup ice water

Sugared cranberries

Rosemary sprigs

Instructions:

Empty contents of raspberry gelatin packet into a mixing bowl. Add boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add iced water and amaretto liqueur and iced water. Stir well. Pour into shot glasses. Refrigerate until set, 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs just before serving.

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Jell-o Shots with Sugared Cranberries!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Jell-O Shots With Sugared Cranberries! The holidays ring in the cheer with festive activities, enticing food, and snappy beverages. Make things awesome with dressed up Jell-O shots that cap off any occasion. Not only do they have an elegant look, but they satisfy the sweet tooth as a miniature dessert. By creating a garnish of fresh fruit with the sugared cranberries, it’s a classy finish with a gourmet twist!

JELL-O SHOTS WITH SUGARED CRANBERRIES

For Make-Ahead Sugared Cranberries:

2 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup filtered water

12-ounce bag fresh cranberries

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup filtered water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Add cranberries. To prevent cranberries from bursting, do not boil. Stir until well coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a wire rack. Let dry for one hour. Working in batches, roll cranberries in remaining sugar until well coated. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight. Store in airtight container.

Ingredients for Jell-o Shots:

3-ounce package raspberry gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup amaretto liqueur

1/2 cup ice water

Sugared cranberries

Rosemary sprigs

Instructions:

Empty contents of raspberry gelatin packet into a mixing bowl. Add boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add iced water and amaretto liqueur and iced water. Stir well. Pour into shot glasses. Refrigerate until set, 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs just before serving.