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.

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!!)