Being able to make a kick ass Jello shot seems a little…immature, perhaps, and yet I cannot (and will not!) stop finding boozy gelatin fun.
The last time I experimented with it was when I made these boozy watermelon shots for a few of my co-workers back in July. So it seemed fitting that for our staff Halloween party I make something more seasonally appropriate — and what’s more autumn than apples? (If you read this blog, you know the answer is nothing. Absolutely nothing.)
These little jelly jigglers were even more popular than the apple cider cream pie that I baked for the party — and they were ten times easier to make (hooray!). No burnt pie crusts or temperamental pie pans to deal with.
I started with some good old fashioned fresh-pressed apple cider (non-alcoholic stuff though hard cider might work fine too). I used some mulling spices to amp up the fall flavor and then added a whole bunch of booze.
Once they were set I topped them with a small dollop of cinnamon whipped cream and a drizzle of cajeta (a goat cheese caramel from the Portland Creamery that is crazy good).
They were gone in a blink of an eye!
The BEST Mulled Apple Cider Jello Shots
Makes 12 two-ounce portions
- 1.5 cups apple cider
- 1 package of unflavored gelatin (.25 oz)
- 1 tsp. mulling spices (or a couple cloves, a cinnamon stick, etc)
- a scant 1/2 cup Laird’s Applejack (or other apple brandy or even a sweeter liquor like vanilla vodka would probably work just fine)
- 2-3 TBS cinnamon vodka, Fireball, Goldschlager or other cinnamon-y liquor (I used Pinnacle’s Cinnabon Vodka. Don’t judge me — it was free!)
Method:
Start by mulling the cider (this can be done a few days in advance). Heat cider with spices, simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Strain spices and chill cider.
Put 3/4 cup cold cider in a small pot and sprinkle gelatin over it. Allow to bloom, about 5 minutes. Heat over low heat, stirring, just until gelatin dissolves.
Pour warmed cider into a bowl, add rest of cold cider (3/4 cup) and alcohol.
Pour into portion cups or shot glasses. Chill overnight.
Optional: Serve with a small dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of caramel.
Atta girl.
I gave myself several pats on the back after trying the first one. 😉
oh, these look amazing! Can see why you’re enamored. Though I’ve been sad ever since I read that you no longer have that cider press 😦 I’m still looking on ebay. (but ps.s what a great restaurant if they had a cider press in their kitchen)
I’m super sad about the press too. It would have been nice to have around. Funny thing — the owner of the restaurant bought it to juice lemons! Someone convinced him it would work great for it. It didn’t. Used once and never again. I always think it’s so funny that he really bought it just for that.
Now we’re talking Halloween treats! I’ve never gotten into that punch with floating hand-shaped ice cubes and other supposedly scary Halloween fare (just icky to me). These look like they could translate to so many autumn parties and make many people very happy. 😉
These will make people very happy — trust me! I’ve been getting lots of requests for a second batch from my co-workers. =)
Immature? No way!
I live by the creed “you’re never too old for Jello shots.”
I would totally love to taste that. Wow looks so good!