Jello Shots

I have made jellos shots for parties before. Big parties, small parties... the most I made was about 500 jello shots...

I had the island of my kitchen looking like a science lab with different bowls of different flavours and colours of jello mix.

Here is how to make them:

Follow Jello Box instructions EXCEPT when it says cold water, substitute half (give or take depending on how strong you want them) with booze. You need to still use SOME cold water and all the hot water or they won't set as well.

1. Add hot boiled water to the jello powder in a bowl.

2. Stir until powder is dissolved.

3. Add half the amount of cold water.

4. Add the remaining amount called for of cold water using your favourite booze.

5. Pour into small cups (I use the paper bathroom dixie cups, McDonalds ketchup cups work too) or citrus fruit (See photos below)

6. Sit in frigde to set. (I put on cookie trays and stack in my fridge several hours before or night before party)

Usually they are ready within a few hours, depending on the amount and concentrate of booze.

So fill limes like this then slice them up:

These are cute too, look like little watermelons...

Flavours to Try:

-Lemon Jello & Pinnacle Whipped Vodka - tastes like lemon merainge pie

-Orange Jello & Pinnacle Whipped Vodka - tastes like orange creamsicle

-Orange Jello & Malibu - tastes like a tropical treat

-Lime Jello & Tequila - try pouring into cut limes

-Strawberry or Blue Raspberry & any flavour - my favourite mmm... even use plain vodka or rum, no extra flavour required.

Try different flavoured jello and booze to create yummy treats.

More Tips:

-If using plastic cups spray with cooking spray first so they unstick easier after.

-If you want layered coloursw simply pour in a bit of one colour, let it set, pour in 2nd layer, let it set and so on.

-put popcicle sticks or toothpicks in to set as well for easier removal. (I don't do this as the paper cups can be squeezed to get jello out).

-Experiement with flavours!!!

Comment on any flavours you love below....

Sangria... Yes Please!

I have never tried to make Sangria, but I have mastered the art of drinking it.

I was introduced to Sangria via a Bellini.

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/drinks/blackberry-sangria/
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/drinks/sunset-sangria/
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-sinfully-easy-sangria-recipes.html
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/cooking_school/yum_making_perfect_sangria.php
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipe-collections/sangria/index.html

Here is a simple recipie I found to start with....

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
• 1 Lemon cut into wedges
• 1 Orange cut into wedges
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Shot brandy
• 2 Cups ginger ale or club soda

Preparation:

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon and orange into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar and brandy. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.
Addition ideas: sliced strawberries, peaches, handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, a shot or two of gin, brandy or rum, a cup of ginger ale, citrus soda pop or lime juice.

Ugly Christmas Sweater PJ Party

Best Party Theme Ever... the Ugly Christmas Sweaters are purely enteraining and hideous while the PJs are comfy, festive and fun!

Most did one or the other, some did neither (party poopers) and the most clever did PJS pants and a sweater wooo!

We decorated the room with lot's of red, green, gold and foil based items. We dimmed the lights and used candles and bar spotlights.

We had a gift table for our gift exchange game and a table for sitting, eating, socializing.

We also had the bar stocked with booze, mixers, and some special features including a pitcher of special eggnog and some spiced apple cider.

We used apple cider, apple juice, apple smirinoff vodka and cinnamon sticks in a large punch bowl. There were no measuremeants for a recipe, I just added what I thought would work.. half bowl cider, quarter apple juice and several cups of apple vodka.

Delicious!

Here are a few pics from the party last night.

This is the sweater I made for my husband, who did not end up wearing it - so my girlfriends boyfriend wore it - - - wooo!

Good Times!

The Best Egg Nog Ever

My most favourite holiday egg nog mix is this:

-Just over Half a glass of Egg Nog (I use store bought)
-quarter glass of 2% milk
-a shot or two of Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum
-dash of nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)

The thing about Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum is that it is the perfect mixture of flavour. I think it's that carmel flavour but who knows. It is absolutely, by far (and I have tried many rums) the BEST rum to mix with egg nog.

Last year I posted some home made egnog recipies and other delicious ways to make egg nogg drinks. Click here to see.

Go - Try it!

Cheers

Spiked Watermelon

This summer treat is my most favourite thing....

It's simple enough... Let me explain....

First, find the perfect watermelon... I get a big one and use half as "Mommy's Treat" and half for the family to enjoy sans booze.

Here's how to pick the best watermelon:

So how do you pick the perfect melon? Some people try their luck with a pick-and-go method. It’s like a drive by watermelon-napping. Picking one up and shaking it never works. Some people just lack the confidence to pick a good one and go for the pre-cut, pre-packaged watermelon. Pitiful, to say the least.

Next time you find yourself on a watermelon hunt, refer to the following tips to nab a sweet one.

When picking the right melon one should:

First check its shape. Symmetry is the key.

Pay attention to its weight. Watermelons are mostly water so a heavier melon means a juicier melon.

Press the skin of the watermelon in various places of its surface. A good melon will not have any soft spots. Get one that’s as hard as a rock.

Notice the color. A darker green color outside offers a sweeter melon inside.

To check for ripeness, look for the sweet spot. Search for a yellow spot on the melon. This is where it sat during its growth period. The yellowish color indicates ripeness.

Lastly, smack it like it’s a bongo drum. Listen for an empty drum-like sound. Like a “Toom-Toom” sound. If it just makes a dense thud sound, set it down and test another one.

That’s it, simple enough. You can now confidently pick out a delicious watermelon for all to enjoy, perfect for the summer heat.

Bring your watermelon home and chop up what you need.

I cut just the edible part to marinade (why waste booze in the rind)

Put in a tupperware container with a few shots of booze and some water (enough to submerge the melon, I usually do a quarter of the container in alcohol and the rest water for a fresh taste that isn't too overwhelming)

Put lid on and refridgerate for an hour or so. (Sometimes I eat right away but the longer you leave it the more saturated the melon is in boozey deliciousness)

Note - Do not leave more than a day, it gets soggy and starts to go bad in my experience.

Eat!!!

I personally love Snirinoff Green Apple Vodka as my alcohol of choice, the apple tastes great with the melon.

You can add more alcohol than water if you wish but I did all booze the first time and it was too potent to enjoy (but got me hammered pretty quickly)

If you are just wanting a refreshing snack, use more water than alcohol.

Mix it up and try different flavours.

This is my own version of spiked watermelon after too many wasted and messy whole watermelons spiked (with the hole cut in the melon and the booze dripping in it over night)

My way is faster and more of a marinade :)

The best on a hot day - delicious, sweet, refreshing!

Just keep it away from the kids (lke jello shots, I always keep the boozey ones out of kids reach and ensure the children have their own alcohol free versions!!)

Green Apple-Pear Martini

I went to a friends last week and brought my usual "booze travel bag" with my mini-martini shaker and all the ingredients for that night's specific drink feature.

-sliced green apples
-grey goose vodka
-green apple smirinoff
-pear absolut
-apple juice
-ice

I mixed an oz. of grey goose an oz. of smirinoff and an oz. of absolut and an oz. of apple juice over ice in the shaker.

Served in a chilled martini glass with a green apple slice garnish - delish!

Mandy's Mandarin-Mango Martini

-1 oz. orange juice
-1 oz. grey goose
-1 oz. mango absolut

Mix in shaker with ice

Serve in Chilled Martini Glass with Mandarin slices as garnish.

Mmmm... sweetness!

Green Beer

Pint of Beer (or a Pitcher)

Green Food Colouring

Add a few Drops.

Stir.

It is messy, it stains, it is a pain in the ass... but... it's fun!

Happy St Pat's

Olympic Martini Recipes

While buying gold, silver and bronze martini glasses to give to your friends is one way to do it, you can also use different coloured stir sticks, coasters, or glass trinkets.

Another way is to make your martini's based on the three prestigious medals....

Here are some recipes for Gold, Silver and Bronze Martini's.

Gold Cocktail

•2 1/2 oz Stolichnaya Elit vodka
•1 1/2 oz Malibu Coconut Rum
•1 tsp shredded coconut
•Garnish: Coconut flakes
•Edible gold powder (available at bakery/cake decorating outlets)

1.Coat bottom of martini glass with gold powder.
2.Combine remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice.
3.Shake well.
4.Strain into gold-coated martini glass. The gold powder should float to the top.
5.Sprinkle extra powder to deepen color.
6.Garnish with coconut flakes.

Silver Cocktail

•2 oz Malibu Rum
•2 oz Cupuacu puree
•Splash of fresh lime juice
•Edible silver powder (available at bakery/cake decorating outlets)
•Garnish: Lime wedge

1.Coat bottom of martini glass with silver powder.
2.Combine remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice.
3.Shake well.
4.Strain into silver-coated martini glass. The silver powder should float to the top.
5.Sprinkle extra powder to deepen color.
6.Garnish with lime wedge.

Bronze Cocktail

•1 1/2 oz Kahlua
•2 oz Monte Cristo 12-year
•1/2 oz Grand Marnier
•Edible bronze powder (available at bakery/cake decorating outlets)
•Garnish: Coffee beans
1.Coat bottom of martini glass with bronze powder.
2.Combine remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice.
3.Shake well.
4.Strain into bronze-coated martini glass. The bronze powder should float to the top.
5.Sprinkle extra powder to deepen color.
6.Garnish with coffee beans.

Olympic Cocktail recipes courtesy of cocktailtimes.com

7 Layer Dip

I love 7 layer, but I find the store-bought versions always load on the beans and olives (I hate olives and beans I enjoy but prefer not to pay for a 7 layer dip that is 70% beans)

This recipe is great... remember you can use plain sour cream and store-bought guacamole if you wish, but I prefer the sour-cream mix as it is more flavourful and the home-made guacamole because you can season it to taste.

The best part of making this yourself is you can put as much or as little (or none) of certain layers as you wish.

What you'll need:
- 2 cans of bean dip (or refrined beans)
- 1 cup onion (chopped, I prefer green onion as garnish on top but the recipe is regular inion mixed with or on top of beans)
- 1 1/2 cups guacamole dip (see recipe for home made here)
- Sour cream mix (see recipe here or use plain sour cream)
- 2 cup fresh plum tomatoes (chopped or diced)
- 6 ounces black olives (optional - I don't use)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese (shredded/grated - you can use mexi-mix pre-shredded if you wish)

So easy you won't believe it! All you need to do is layer the ingredients above in the order you read them. For instance, place a nice layer of the bean dip on the bottom of a glass bowl, followed by a layer of the chopped onion, etc... You can also use Salsa instead of or together with tomatoes.

Your dip will look beautiful through the glass bowl and should be topped with the tomatoes, shredded cheese, olives (and green onion if you choose)

Home Made Tortilla Chips

I always buy tortilla chips but for Superbowl this year I will be using this recipe to make some (as well as buy some in case it's a fail on the home-made chips)

What's great about these is that they are lower caolries but equal taste...

What you'll need:
- 1 12-ounce package corn tortillas
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt

What to do:
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Next, cut each tortilla into 8 wedges (like you would a pie or pizza) and arrange the wedges in a single layer on a cookie sheet. (I've heard wax paper is useful to avoid sticking, we shall see)

You will need a mister and if you don't have one, a spray bottle might work, but not as efficiently as a mister would. With the mister, combine the oil and lime juice. Mix it well and then spray each tortilla chip wedge until it is slightly moist.

Then, combine the cumin, chili powder and salt in a small bowl and sprinkle on the chips by hand.

All you need to do is bake for about 7 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for another 8 minutes or until the chips are crisp, but not too brown. Serve with salsas, garnishes dips or guacamole.

I will let you know how it turns out.

DIPS for CHIPS

I will use this as a spot to link all my recipes for dips and sauces.

Check back often.

Mexi-Sour Cream Dip

I like to use this with tortilla chips or in 7 layer dip or just to add a zip to anything really.

Mexi-Sour Cream Mix:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 envelope of taco seasoning

Mix, Serve, Use, Enjoy

ABCs of Martini's

I thought I'd do an ABC list of martini's I enjoy...


of course some letters will be more difficult and some letters will have too many faves to choose from, but I shall do my best... my theme for this list is "Fruity Martini's"


Enjoy!


A -
Apple Martini - citron vodka, sour apple, triple sec
B -
Berrytini - raspberry vodka, sour raspberry, cranberry juice
C -
Crantini - cranberry vodka, cranberry juice
D -
Disco Daze - raspberry vodka, blue curaco, lemonade
E -
El Nino - vodka, peach schnapps, blue curaco, pinepple juice, OJ
F -
Florida Twist - Orange vodka, citron vodka
G -
Gypsy Dancer - vodka, melon liqueur, lime cordial
H -
Honeydew Martini - vodka, midori melon, triple sec
I -
In the Sack - cream sherry, OJ, apricot nectar, lemon juice
J -
J&J Martini - vodka, Triple Sec, OJ
K -
Kurrantini - currant vodka, chambord, cranberry juice
L -
Lime Light Martini - vodka, triple sec, grapefruit juice
M -
Mango Madness - vodka (or mango rum), melon liqueur, mango juice
N -
Nancy Boy - vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice, grenadine
O -
Orange Crush - orange vodka, orange liqueur, OJ
P -
Pineapple Rush - vodka, ginseng juice, pineapple juice
Q -
Quarterdeck Martini - berry vodka, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur
R -
Razztini - raspberry vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice
S -
Silk Panty - vodka, peach shcnapps, cranberry juice
T -
Tropical Martini - alize red, cocnut rum
U -
Ultraviolet - vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, pineapple juice
V -
Voo Doo Doll - vodka, raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice
W -
Watermelontini - vodka, sour watermelon triplesec
X -
Xiantha - gin, cherry brandy, yellow chartreuse
Y -
Yellow Snowman - lemon vodka, lemon rum, peppermint schnapps, baileys
Z -
Ztini - vodka, bailey's, raspberry liqueur, strawberry schnapps, cream


**Most of these names/ingredients are from Liza Schafhauser's "Martini Collection" I recommend playing with amounts to create a flavour you enjoy most. Usually less juices and more booze works best ;)

Kiwi-Tini Recipe

I found this recipe for kiwi-tini.

Ingredients:
•3 oz vodka or citrus vodka
•1/2 skinned kiwi
•1/2 tsp sugar syrup
•kiwi slice for garnish

Preparation:
1.Muddle the skinned kiwi with sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker.
2.Add ice and vodka.
3.Shake well.
4.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5.Garnish with a slice of kiwi.

This sounds about right. The Keg kiwi-tini had muddled kiwi in the bottom, they also did NOT strain the ice which was annoying. I plan to try this recipe out this week and will report back.

I Dream of Mexico...

Every Spring Break I go to Mexico. Sunny Days, Sandy Beaches, Beautiful Sunsets, All-inclusive resorts, Amazing Food - - - oh - - - and one helluva party!!!!

Spring Break is a few months away still, but I have a friend going to Cancun for her 30th birthday end of this month and it has be craving to be in Mexico too... sadly, I can't miss work to go... but here is a way to bring Mexico to me... and to you if you'd like to try these awesome drinks.... I shall do a post on Mexican Food eventually, but for now, let's focus on the booze!

3 parts Vodka

1 part Lime Juice

3 parts Corono

Rim martini glass with salt. Mix all but Corono with ice in shaker. Serve in prepared martini glass. Top with Corona and garnish with a lime wedge.

Also try this:

Mexican Greyhound

3 parts Vodka

1 part Grapefruit Juice

Mix all with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.



Mexican Water Martini

1 part Tequila

1 part Lime Juice

Rim martini glass with salt. Mix with ice in shaker. Serve in prepared martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Mexiquita

1 part Tequila

1 part Melon Liqueur

1 splash Lime Juice

1 splash Soda Water

Mix all but Soda Water with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Top with soda water, garnish with lime wedge.


And not a martini but a shooter that messed us up in Mexico... It goes by many names but is all similar... Tequila Popper, Tequila Boom Boom, Tequilazo....

Here's how to make it and how to take it.

1 oz tequila

1 oz ginger ale or lemon-lime soda

I like to add a drop of colouring or flavouring for fun.

Follow these steps carefully.

1.Pour the ingredients into a shot glass.
2.Cover the glass with a napkin and your hand.
3.Slam the glass on the bar counter.
4.Drink while it's still fizzing.

Some fun alternatives we did in Mexico included:

Bartender would give us fizzing shot then shake our head side to side, round & round.

Bartenders would make us get on bar to drink then tip us upside down.

Bartenders would lift us up after shot and flip us over.

Mexican Martini is easy...

Champagne Martini's

In preparation for 2010 everyone is planning their exciting New Year's Eve Plans.

Ringing in a new year deserves some bubbly, and ringing in a new Decade, deserves something more than just bubbly....

Here are some martini recipes that include champange.

Enjoy!


Bubbly Martini

1 part chilled Vodka (try flavoured if you wish)

1 part chilled Champagne.

Pour vodka into chilled martini glass, top with Champagne. Garnish with a frozen strawberry, raspberry or fruit of your choice.

That is the most simplest martini to make. Experiment with different flavoured vodka. Feel free to add other splashes of flavour with fruit juice.


Sex & The City Flirtini

3 parts Vodka

1 part Raspberry Liqueur

4 parts Champange

1 spalsh Pineapple Juice

Mix with ice in a shaker. Serve in chilled glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and cherry.

Caribou Martini

4 parts chilled Coffee Vodka

1 part chilled Champagne

Pour both into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist and coffee bean.

Dixie Stinger

6 parts Bourbon

1 part Peach Schnapps

1 part Champagne

1 splash Southern Comfort

Mix all but Champagne with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with peach slice.

Flirtini

1 part Rasberry Vodka

1 part Orange Liqueur

1 splash Lime Juice

1 splash Pineapple Juice

1 part Champagne (Brut)

1 splash Cranberry Juice

Muddle a few raspberries in the bottom of the chilled martini glass. Mix all but champagne with ice in shaker. serve in chilled martini glass. top with champagne. garnish with mint sprig.

Here are some more that have a Bellini taste....

Cape Cod Bellini

4 parts Champagne (Spumante)

1 part Vodka

1 part Chambord

Pour Champagne in chilled martini glass. Mix other ingredients with ice in shaker. Strain into Champagne. Garnish with Raspberry.

Bellini Martini

2 parts Vodka

1 part Peach Schnapps

1 part Champagne

Mix all but Champagne with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with Raspberry.

Happy New Year to All... May 2010 Bring you all the joys and happiness you deserve.

Left Over Turkey

We usually do Turkey at my parents and don't have left-overs, which is a shame, because I love left over turkey dinner food... you can do so much with it - here are some suggestions...

Sandwich

Turkey (I prefer white meat personally) with stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy... delish!

Soup

This is really simple, you can make your own broth using the turkey bones or use canned and add your meat, veggies and whatnot... Mmmm

Casserole

Bake turkey, stuffing, gravy and veggies and top with cranberry sauce... you can also add rice or potatoes to this... do it in layers works best, but a mix-mash is ok also.

Sometimes I will add veggies to the casserole for some variety (I mean, how many days can you really eat yams, turnips and brussell sprouts? honestly, I can't even eat them one day, I dislike ALL of those veggies and those are the ones my momma makes, so typically I make carrots, corn, green beans... but to each their own)

If you want unique ideas try This Website with a ton of recipes for you and your left-over turkey dinner.

Jazz up that Coffee with a Shot of this...

My rule is you can add almost any kind of booze to hot cocoa, coffee and if you are aware of appropriate flavour mixtures, tea too.

I drink flavoured tea such as peach, pomegranate, acai berry, etc. I generally don't add booze to these, but when they are iced teas in the summer I do - but we will get to that when the weather warms up.

For now, Hot Cocoa, Hot Coffee, and a shot of something to jazz it up...

Here are some of my faves that I recommend.

Hot Cocoa or Coffee.... Pick one of these.... Garnish with Whipped Cream and choco shavings....

Add Baileys

or

Add Dark Rum

or

Add Peppermint Schnapps

or

Add Butterscotch Schnapps

or

Add Vodka

or

Add Creme de Cacao

The list goes on... really, almost anything goes good...

Also, another drink I love in the winter...

Hot Spiced Cider
Non-Alcohol

•1 gal apple cider
•1 allspice
•1 clove
•1 cinnamon stick

Add allspice, clove and cinnamon stick to the apple cider and let simmer for 1 hour (or longer). This may not look like much spice, but it really does make a pleasantly spicey cider.

You can add dark rum, spiced rum or bourbon to the cider... for that extra kick ;)

Also, here is a martini that brings the essence of apple cider taste to it, in a cool, stiff martini...

Pear Cider Martini
Ingredients:
•3/4 oz. brandy
•1/2 oz. pear brandy
•4 to 5 oz. apple cider
•ground cinnamon
•ground nutmeg
•1 apple
•ice

Preparation:
Mix brandy, pear brandy and apple cider with ice in shaker. Add two dashes ground cinnamon. Add one dash ground nutmeg.
Shake.

Strain into a martini glass or serve on ice in cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

So deffo try the apple cider if you like... it's easy and warm and delicious... and next time you pour a nice cup of coffee, toss in a shot of something with kick ;)

Simple Truffles

They are so easy....

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate cut in bits

2 Tblsp unsalted butter

3/4 cup heavy whipped cream

2 Tblsp booze (Cognac, Grand Marnier, Rum, Kaluha etc.)

Put chocolate bits in a bowl (Stainless steel medium sized) Bring Cream and Butter to boil in a pot. Pour boiling cream over the chocolate and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Add Booze. Cover in the fridge until firm. (Usually over night, or all day)

Place toppings on a plate. Make balls with the mixture (hands or melon baller) Roll on plate in toppings (I like coconut, but you can use crushed nuts or anything you'd like) then place on wax paper on cookie sheet. Cover and put in the fridge until firm. Eat whenever, for long lasting truffles you may Freeze for a couple months or refridgerate for a couple weeks. They taste better at room temperature so plan ahead if you are preserving them for later.

Experiment with different booze and toppings. You can use a drizzle on them with liquid toppings or roll them in various dry toppings.

Makes Great gifts in a decorative tin or baggie with ribbon.... <3