Jelly Shot Test Kitchen: Jell-ing Classic Cocktails-One Drink at a Time

by Michelle Palm, Amy Webster

Remember jello shots of days of yore? They're all grown up, and are sporting a sophisticated new look! "Jelly Shots" are classic cocktails reinvented as sassy, gelatin shots--perfect, jewel-like squares, sans cup, which any adult would be proud to serve at their next dinner party. From Cosmopolitans, Tequila Sunrises, and Mojitos to Gimlets and Chocolate Martinis, Jelly Shot Test Kitchen is a guide to making gelatin versions of favorite libations. Armed with only a saucepan, a cake pan, and a sharp knife (and ingredients!), readers can be well on their way to a gorgeous batch of Jelly Shots.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Cocktails

204 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 2011

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal! I made about 10 of the jello shots in this book, 8 boozey and 2 non-boozey. The directions are easy to understand and the pictures are amazing. I cannot function with a cook book without pictures.

I haven't tried any of the special effects (gradients, checkerboard, etc.) beyond basic layering, so I'm not sure how easy those directions are but overall- great addition for anyone looking for fun ideas for parties.

[Robert Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our favorite college party treat is updated with sophistication. Every picture in this splendid little book is lovely, and every recipe is surprisingly simple. Could you ever imagine popping an "Old Fashioned" jello shot into your mouth? Or a "Margarita?" How about a "Black Russian?" Mmmm...these little naughty treats not only look delicious, but look fantastic.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely amusing guide to making really impressive Jello shots. My G&T shots turned out great. This is right up there with the gourmet popsicle books and Cake Pops for impressing your friends at parties. Perhaps better, because it involves alcohol.

[Seana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just ordered this gem, can't wait to make some fun stuff for the holidays!

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a self-professed jello shot expert, enthusiast, and experimenter. I typically make several hundred every year for Halloween and am always testing out new techniques and flavors. This book really opened up new ideas for me, and the recipes are great.

[Tamera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Recipes use knox jello rather than boxed jello, and sometimes you have to make your own syrups. The author includes some substitues if you can't make the syrups yourself. I have had great success with most of the recipes, and they really do taste like the true drinks. The Whiskey Sour was especially popular with the men, and the Mojito and Margarita were excellent. I made Hurricane shots for the New Orleans football game, and I think they were authentic - however, no one in our group drank hurricanes so we couldn't compare! I was disappointed with the Chocolate Martini, but I might have overcooked the jello causing it to be rubbery (I will give it another try). This is a fun book to play with, and I took a batch of shots to each home game this year. I think for New Year's, I will make the Champagne Cocktail. Truly a fun book!

[Kimmae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because this is the only source of this much detail on beautiful and tasty jelly shots not to be confused with jello shots which is what you had in college and don't require an actual recipe. These can require quite a bit of work and last minute attention to detail or there are simpler recipes as well as recipes without alcohol. While you can invest in many molds for shapes, the shots can also be just made square or in silicon ice cube trays. The well-written, well-tested recipes include Cosmos, Mojitos, Peanut Butter and Jelly Martinis. I think colors to match your favorite football team would go over well for game-time or Superbowl.

[Unwisely · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to rate cookbooks, particularly specialty ones. However I have renewed this book to the limits of the library and finally ordered a copy for myself. It's just so ridiculous. But if you want yummy, grown up jello shots, this is the book. I do wish there was an index by ingredient, so you could say, what do I do with the vanilla vodka I for some reason have, but otherwise, it gives techniques for making they pretty. (And they're good. I've now made four recipes - one was from the blog, which is actually how I heard of the book - and they've all turned out well.)

[Jane Dugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It was the hallelujah chorus to my visual soul.

Alas, I did not try any of the recipes. I must admit I subscribe to the drink philosophy of "if you can't name what's in the drink in the name of the drink, don't drink the drink."

Though, I do think this would be a great theme for a girls night in ... hmm ... perhaps a Xmas party idea.

Pick it up for something to tease your taste buds & eyes.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The recipes in this book looked amazing, but unfortunately they didn't taste very good when made with agar. Someone who eats gelatin should make them and tell me how they are.

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great easy recipes for fun jelly shots! Just made the Manhattan and French 75 - delicious!

[Amy Denim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really makes me want to have a 'jell-o' shot party. Loved all the recipes and the little details.

[Nandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy, and definitely inspirational for possible dishes for picnics or events.