Jiggly Jell-O 'Shots' Make For Grown-Up Fun

Although it's normally a column on beverages, Liquid Solutions is delving into a little more solid reporting this issue. But I hope you will give me some wiggle room on this one. Because our featured "drink" this time isn't one you drink at all!

Jell-O shots are jiggling their way into bars and restaurants all over the country as imbibing adults find a new way to have fun with a favorite childhood food. Jell-O shots are pretty much what they sound like they should be -- gelatin dessert made with your favorite liquor (or a mix of liquors) replacing some of the water in the recipe. They're kinetic, colorful, shimmery, festive -- and a bit trickier to make at home than you'd expect. The key is getting the ratio of alcohol and cold water right so the gelatin sets but the "shot" still packs a little punch. Too much booze and you've got a runny mess on your hands. Talk about a buzz kill!

Why Jell-O shots? In addition to the novelty and fun factor, they also are spill-proof and extremely portable -- perfect for the next time you're tapped to bring the beverages. They also are quite adaptable -- you can create different flavors with combinations of gelatin and liquor. Or choose specific colors to fit your party theme. I've attended a few football parties where the teams' colors were reflected in quaking Jell-O shots. And then, there are my friends, Val and Eric, who always make sure to have green and red Jell-O shots for their annual holiday soiree. It wouldn't be their party without them.

Here's a basic recipe that will make enough for one fun, wiggly batch.

6 oz. Jell-O (large package)
2 c. boiling water
6 oz. cold water
10-16 oz. vodka or other alcohol

Add gelatin to boiling water and mix until completely dissolved. Add the alcohol and blend together. Pour mixture into plastic shot glasses and chill until firm, or pour into 9x12-inch baking pan and chill until firm.

Be warned: If you pour the shots into plastic shot glasses, they are not easy to extract. One way to get the shots out is to dip each one in warm water for a minute to loosen it from the sides of the glass. To serve the ones that firmed up in the baking pan, cut them into the size you want (I usually figure about 16-20 to a pan) and serve them in paper baking cups.

Here are some flavor suggestions to get you started:

Lime Jell-O: gin or tequila and Grand Marnier
Strawberry Jell-O: rum, vanilla or mandarin vodka
Orange Jell-O: peach schnapps and/or rum, amaretto
Grape Jell-O: fruit-flavored vodka and/or fruit-flavored liqueur of your choice
Watermelon Jell-O: coconut rum, melon liqueur.
Apple Jell-O: Buttershots schnapps, cinnamon liqueur

The only limit is your imagination, so get chillin' -- and wiggle your way into your friends' hearts with this new twist on an old friend.

Liquid Solutions was the recipient of the 2004 Beer Journalism Award for electronic media.