Jello Party Pops!!!

Jello Pina Colada Gelatin Pops

Do you remember Jello Gelatin Pops that used to be right next to the Pudding Pops!!!  Those were my favorite, but like so many other favorites they went away one day to never return forcing me to find a way to make them at home….   This is Good News, since you can make Any Flavor, Any Shape and even add Alcohol if you prefer for a great Party Treat!!!

Jello Party Pops!!!

While popsicles are so popular during the Summer, don’t count them out for your Holiday Parties…  Especially New Years since you have the freedom to create!  If you have an idea and can’t find it, then you can dream it up out of Jello….

I am posting my favorite recipe for Pina Colada (Non-Alcoholic) Gelatin Pops, which are Divine!  Following is a Base Recipe to turn any Cocktail in to a Jello Shot or Jello Party Pop….

While you can't find these anymore, you can make them at home!

Pina Colada (Non-Alcoholic) Gelatin Pops

Ingredients:

1  Cup              Boiling Water

1  Package     Jello Gelatin, Pina Colada 4 Serving Size

1/3  Cup          Sugar

1 1/3  Cups    Cold Water

6                        Paper or Plastic Cups,  (5 oz.)

6                        Wooden Pop Sticks

Procedure:

STIR  Boiling Water in to combined dry Gelatin Mix and Sugar in a medium bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved.  Stir in Cold Water.

POUR  evenly in to Paper Cups.  Freeze for 2 hours or until almost firm.

INSERT  a Pop Stick in to the center of each cup, use plastic wrap if needed to ensure that sticks are centered and straight!  Freeze an additional 3 hours or overnight until firm.

To release the frozen Pop from it’s cup, place the bottom of the cup under warm running water for 15 seconds, press the bottom of the cup firmly to release the Pop!  (Do Not twist or pull on the stick)

Store leftover Pops in the freezer for up to 2 weeks!

Enjoy this old favorite from JW8!

A Cupcake Pan is a Great Help!

Easy ~ Easy ~ Easy

Options are Limitless......

Turn any Cocktail in to a Jello Shot or Jello Pop!!!

Basic directions and tips to get you going:

You will use:

3 oz Jell-O or other gelatin (any flavor), 6 oz water and 6 oz vodka (or other distilled spirit).

Here’s How:

1. Pour gelatin into a bowl.

2. Add boiling water, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved.

3. Stir in liquor.

4. Refrigerate until cool.

5. Pour into shot glasses, molds, or a baking pan for a sheet of Jell-O to cut up once set.

TIP: The small, plastic shot cups are perfect because the drinker can just squeeze the shot out.

6. Refrigerate until the liquid sets. (At least 2 hours, but overnight refrigeration is recommended)

7. Serve cold.

Use A Popsicle Maker or Mold for shapes...

Place the Shapes in Cones for a Festive Touch...

Here’s How I Do It For Parties:

1. Use unflavored gelatin (usually comes in 1/4 ounce packets).

2. You will want to add a small amount of sugar to reduce the tartness of the finished jelly shot. Simple syrup works best and if you use it, it can take the place of a portion of the water. Most importantly when working with Gelatin is to ensure that all solids are completely dissolved!

3. Add boiling water, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved. Use approximately 1/3 of the total sum of the other liquid ingredients.

4. Mix the cocktail recipe’s liquids using the same ratio as you would for the regular cocktail recipe and add them to the gelatin mixture. You want to plan on having between 7-9 ounces (water included) of liquid for one 1/4 ounce packet of gelatin.

5. Add food coloring. Many of these concoctions will not be very pleasing to the eye. So add small amounts of food coloring, a little at a time, mixing as you go until you have the color you want.

TIP:  Distinguish a variety shots by using different colors for each: Yellow Banana Daiquiri Jelly Shots, Red Planter’s Punch Jelly Shots, etc.

For Jello Shots, go to step 6…   For Party Pops, skip to step 10…

6. Refrigerate until cool.

7. Pour into shot glasses, molds, or a baking pan for a sheet of Jell-O to cut up once set.

8. Refrigerate until the liquid sets. (At least 2 hours, but overnight refrigeration is recommended)

9. Serve cold.

Finished!  Enjoy…

10.  Insert Pop Stick in to the center of each Pop!

11.  Place Pops in the freezer for an additional 3 hours or overnight until completely firm…

12.  Remove by running warm water over the bottom of the Pops to release them and squeeze them out!  Don’t pull or twist the stick or it will come right out!

Finished!  Enjoy…

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As you can see, making Jello Shots or Party Pops are Super Easy but just require that you plan ahead…  These are always a favorite because, “There’s Always Room For Jello”.

Homemade Irish Cream

I remember getting my first bottle of Homemade Irish Cream from a coworker at the Bank, Jill P..  It was such a thoughtful gift, that I added it to my recipes the very next year…  Homemade Irish Cream is Superior to any bottled and shelved liqueur that money can buy, freshness counts here…

Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur

Ingredients:

1  pint               Half and Half

2                         Eggs

1 1/2  Cups     Irish Whiskey  (Jameson is great, although Canadian Club works well too)

2  Tbsp             Chocolate Syrup

1  dash             Cinnamon

1  tsp                 Vanilla

Easy – Easy – Easy   —  Here’s How To Do It :::::

Blend everything together until well mixed, nice, smooth and frothy!

Serve COLD.

Store up to two weeks in the refrigerator, but it’s never lasted that long in my house!

Homemade Kahlua

Homemade Kahlua is great any time of the year, but especially during the Holidays….  It is easy and quick to make and tastes every bit as good as premiums bought at the store.

Homemade Kahlua

Homemade Kahlua

Ingredients:

6  Cups           Sugar

6  Cups            Water

20  tsp             Instant Coffee 

1/2  gallon     Premium Vodka

12  tsp             Pure Vanilla

In a large pan, mix Sugar, Water and Coffee together and bring to a slow boil.  Turn the heat down and simmer for 1 hour, this concentrates the flavors so be patient and keep an eye on it!  Remove from the heat and allow it to cool enough to cover with plastic wrap.  The plastic wrap should sit on top of the liquid.

Let this sit covered for 12 hours…..

Carefully remove the plastic wrap (the wrap will remove the top layer of skin that has formed on top of the liquid).  Add the Vodka and Vanilla and stir well.

Bottle mixture in to preferably dark bottles, cork and label.  That’s it! 

That's It!

Notes:   Yields 3 quarts.  Drinkable immediately.  I usually make a half batch since it makes so much and is so easy to to do again…. 

Enjoy.  That’s Homemade Kahlua from JW8…

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur

Keeping in the ‘Spirit’ of the Holidays….  Here is my recipe for my Homemade Cranberry Liqueur that so many of you have had at my home in Farmers Branch and received as that year’s gift du jour…..

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur Recipe
(this is not a quick recipe)

Cranberry Liqueur

Here is what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

16  oz                Cranberries

1 1/2  Cups      Premium Vodka  (I use Ketel One)

1 1/2  Cups      Sugar

3/4  Cup            Water

1/2                      Lemon or Lime Peel

1/4                      Orange Peel

Optional:
1  stick              Cinnamon
1/8  tsp             Ground Allspice

Tools:

1 1/2  Liter       Sealable Jar

1  Sheet             Cheesecloth

Large Funnel

Coffee Filters

Apple Corer/Peeler

Bottles  (4 Cup Size Works Well)

Here We Go! :::::

First, clean the heck out of your jar!  You can’t spend enough time cleaning……

Chop up the Cranberries in a blender or food processor, on the lowest setting, until it’s the consistency of grits.  Make sure they are all chopped up; any still ‘Whole’ berry won’t contribute to the liqueur.  Pour in to jar.

Using the apple peeler, carefully peel just the rind from your 1/2 lemon or lime and 1/4 orange, and put the peels in to the jar.

Pour Vodka in the jar.  If you’re using the optional spices, add them to the mix as well.

NEXT :::::

Boil sugar and water together until the sugar is completely dissolved.  Let stand one minute and then measure 1 1/2 Cups in to the jar.  Seal the jar quickly, lest the alcohol will evaporate in the heat!

Let this measure steep for 4 weeks, shaking lightly each day.  Store in a cool, dry and dark place during this time.

AND THEN :::::

After the month of steeping:  Line your funnel with your cheesecloth and pour the liqueur mixture through it to remove all large items.  Gather the corners of the cheesecloth and squeeze all of the liquid out completely!  The mixture will be ‘Cloudy’ at this point and it is normal.

Thoroughly wash the funnel for the second straining.  Line your funnel with the coffee filters and strain the mixture again to remove all of the solids.  You may prefer to do this several times, depending on how shiny clear you want the finished product to be…  Remember that this is homemade, so it does not have to look like it came from a store but if you are like me then you want it to be perfect!  I strain mine twice through this second process….

BEFORE BOTTLING :::::

Clean the HECK out of your bottles!  Shake the mixture moderately to redistribute the liqueur.

Pour the liqueur in to your bottles, cork and you are DONE!

DECORATE THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!

After spending a LOT of TIME, MONEY and EFFORT, you certainly want them to both look professional and homemade.  Using unique bottles shows a very classy presentation, and a few whole or halved Cranberries inserted in to the bottles represents that it was freshly made…  Have fun with this part and enjoy this AWESOME Liqueur that is sweet and thick like a fine dessert wine.  It also makes a lovely cocktail with soda and a splash of S&S….

Cranberry Liqueur

That’s how JW8 does Cranberry Liqueur…..