When it comes to hosting a Halloween party (or any party for that matter), you’d want to make things as fun as possible, without being bogged down with complicated cocktails. The genius solution? Jelly shots! They’re easy to slurp down, can be made a day before, and in a variety of ways. Here are just three of them:
Old Fashioned Jelly Shots
The Old Fashioned cocktail is a staple for any gathering, and requires just bitters, Scotch, and sugar as its core ingredients, with cherries or orange peel as garnish. This recipe from SeriousEats calls for gelatin and soda water to transform a classic cocktail into a party favourite.
To make 18-24 jello shots
Bitters Syrup
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 9 tablespoons Angostura Orange bitters
For Jelly Shots
- 2/3 cup soda water
- 2/3 cup Bitters Syrup
- 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- 2 packets of gelatin
- 2/3 cup good Scotch whisky such as Black Bottle or Black Bull Kyloe
- Orange slices and maraschino cherries for garnish, if desired
Method
For the Bitters Syrup: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until mixture boils, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
For the Jelly Shots: Combine soda water, bitters syrup, and cherry juice in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow gelatin to soak for a minute or two.
Heat over very low heat until gelatin is dissolved, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add whisky, stirring well to blend. Pour into loaf pan and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.
Cut oranges and cherries into small slivers for garnish.
Bourbon & Coke Jelly Shots
What’s a party without the classic bourbon and Coke? The Tipsy Bartender recommends this Jack & Coke Jelly Shot recipe, but we reckon you can up the ante and swap out the regular Jack Daniels for Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Ingredients
- 120ml Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- 240ml Cola
- 2 packets Gelatin
- Garnish: Cherries
Method
- Boil cola and add gelatin. Leave to bloom for a few seconds before stirring to combine. Leave to cool.
- Once cooled, add whiskey, stir and pour mix into plastic shot glass. Place in refrigerator to set.
- Garnish with a cherry.
Classic Rum Jello Shots
Simple, delicious, and easy to make, this recipe from Liquor.com is as straightforward as they come.
Ingredients:
- 90ml flavoured gelatin mix like Jell-O
- 240ml boiling water
- 120ml Angostura 5 Year Old
- 120ml cold water
Method:
In a medium bowl, stir together the Jell-O and boiling water until the Jell-O dissolves. Add the rum and cold water, and stir to combine.
Pour 1 ounce of the mixture into each of the 16 shot glasses (small plastic or paper cups will also work) and chill until solid.
