Creating Jelly Shots: Australian Style

how to make jelly shots australian measurements

Jelly shots are a fun and colourful way to enjoy your favourite tipple. They are simple to make and can be made in any flavour you like. Vodka is the most common alcohol used as it's easily flavoured, but you could also use rum, tequila, or your favourite spirit. To make jelly shots, you'll need flavoured gelatin, boiling water, cold water, and alcohol. You'll also need plastic cups or a silicone mould to set your jelly shots in. The basic recipe involves dissolving the gelatin in boiling water, adding cold water and alcohol, and then pouring the mixture into cups or a mould to set. You can get creative with layers, colours, and garnishes to make your jelly shots look as good as they taste!

Characteristics Values
Moulds Different moulds, fruit rinds, cookie cutters, mini muffin or cake pop silicon moulds, shot glasses, ice cube tray, syringes, martini glass, champagne flute, blender, baking pan, pie dish, hollowed-out oranges, lemons and limes
Ingredients Gelatin, boiling water, vodka, cold water, whipped cream, sprinkles, food colouring, berries, fruit, chocolate chips, liqueur, rum, tequila, whiskey, brandy, gin, lemon vodka, sugar, cooking oil, vegetable oil, paper towels
Setting Time 2-3 hours or until set

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Choosing the right vodka

When it comes to choosing the right vodka for your jelly shots, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is generally recommended to use regular, plain vodka for standard jelly shots. While you can use flavoured vodka, it is best to match the flavour with your jelly.

The best vodka for jelly shots doesn't have to be top-shelf, but a smooth vodka will make nicer jelly shots. A middle-shelf option is ideal. A cheap, smooth vodka will work just fine, such as a $12 bottle of Absolut or Smirnoff. It is recommended to avoid bottom-shelf options in large plastic bottles, as the strong taste of the vodka will come through in the jelly shots.

If you want to reduce the vodka taste in your jelly shots, you can use vodka that has been triple-distilled, or simply reduce the amount of vodka and increase the water content. A 50% vodka-to-water ratio is considered the ideal strong jelly shot ratio, providing a nice balance.

You can also experiment with different types of alcohol. Vodka is commonly used as it is easily flavoured, but you can try rum, tequila, or your favourite spirit. Schnapps is also a popular alternative to vodka, especially when paired with fruit-flavoured jelly.

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Dissolving the gelatin

Prepare the Gelatin

Place the desired amount of gelatin mix into a heat-proof mixing bowl or measuring cup. The amount of gelatin used will depend on the number of jelly shots you wish to make and the strength of the shots. For a standard batch, one small (3-ounce or 4-serving) box of gelatin mix is typically used.

Add Boiling Water

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the gelatin. Use a heat-proof measuring cup or kettle to carefully measure and pour the boiling water. You can use a medium or large mixing bowl, but ensure it is heat-proof to avoid any accidents.

Stir Until Dissolved

Use a whisk or a spoon to stir the mixture vigorously. Continue stirring until the gelatin powder or leaves are completely dissolved in the boiling water. Make sure there are no lumps remaining. This step is crucial, as undissolved gelatin will affect the texture of your jelly shots.

Add Additional Ingredients (Optional)

At this stage, you can add additional ingredients to enhance the flavour and colour of your jelly shots. A common addition is a few drops of food colouring to create vibrant shots. You can also add a small amount of sugar to sweeten the mixture, but this is optional as the gelatin mix usually contains some sugar.

Combine With Alcohol

Once the gelatin is dissolved, it's time to add your chosen alcohol. Vodka is the most commonly used alcohol for jelly shots due to its versatility and neutral taste. However, you can experiment with other spirits such as rum, tequila, or gin. Pour in 1/2 cup of alcohol and stir well to combine.

Adjust and Pour

After adding the alcohol, you can adjust the mixture by adding a small amount of cold water if needed. Then, your gelatin mixture is ready to be poured into your prepared cups or moulds. Remember to lightly spray the cups with vegetable oil or a neutral oil to prevent the jelly shots from sticking.

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Adding alcohol

The most common alcohol used in jelly shots is vodka, as it's easily flavoured. However, you can experiment with other spirits, such as rum, tequila, whiskey, brandy, or gin, or try flavoured liquors like lemon vodka, sour pus, or Malibu. For the best results, stick to a liquor that's about 80-proof (40% alcohol by volume). Vodka jello shots don't require a fine vodka; a good enough budget-friendly bottle will do. Just make sure to skip plastic bottles, as the strong taste will come through in the jelly.

When adding alcohol to your jelly shots, it's important to maintain the correct proportions of ingredients while scaling them down into shot form. The more alcohol you add, the more varied the texture of the jelly and the longer it will take to set. For example, if you're making a batch of 10 jelly shots, use 1/2 cup of vodka along with 1 cup of boiling water and 1/2 cup of cold water.

If you want to get creative, you can turn your favourite cocktail into a jelly shot. Try mixing up cocktail combos with a base liqueur, juice, and gelatin, and feel free to add a drop of bright food colouring to jazz up your shots. For instance, you can make cosmos, pina coladas, or margaritas into jelly shots. You can even add small berries or pieces of fruit before the jellies are fully set for an elegant touch.

Additionally, you can use different moulds, fruit rinds, or cookie cutters to create unique shapes for your jelly shots. Hollowed-out oranges, lemons, and limes can be used as fun moulds, and you can also try garnishing your shots with fresh fruit or a whipped cream topping.

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Setting the jelly

Setting jelly shots is a simple process, but it's important to be aware of a few factors that can influence the setting time and texture of your jelly. Firstly, the amount of alcohol in your jelly shots will impact the setting time. The more alcohol in the mixture, the longer it will take to set, and the more varied the texture of the jelly will be. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your gelatin leaf or powder is fully dissolved before adding alcohol to avoid a grainy, runny consistency.

Additionally, the type of mould or container you use will determine the setting process. If using plastic cups, it is recommended to lightly spray them with vegetable oil or use a paper towel to spread a thin layer of neutral oil to prevent the jelly shots from sticking. This will ensure that the jelly shots can be easily removed from the cups. Alternatively, you can use a baking pan, ice cube tray, or even hollowed-out fruit rinds as moulds. If using a mould, simply pour the jelly mixture into the desired mould and allow it to set completely before removing it or cutting it into portions.

The setting time for jelly shots can vary depending on the recipe and the amount of alcohol added. Most recipes recommend refrigerating the jelly shots for at least 2 hours or until they are fully set. However, some recipes suggest a setting time of 3 hours or even overnight for the best results. If you're in a hurry, there is a quick-set method where you dissolve the gelatin with half the amount of boiling water, then add icy cold water and vodka to chill it faster. This method can reduce the setting time by half.

To create layered or ombre jelly shots, you will need to work with the setting times. For layered shots, fill the cups partially with one flavour and chill until almost set, then add the next flavour and repeat until all layers are complete. For ombre shots, try setting the jellies at different times or slightly overlapping the setting times to create a gradient effect. You can also add small berries, pieces of fruit, or chocolate chips to your jelly shots before they are fully set for an extra touch.

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Getting creative

Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to get creative with your jelly shots! The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavours, colours, and presentation. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Flavours and colours:

  • Experiment with different types of alcohol: while vodka is the most common choice, you can also try rum, tequila, whiskey, brandy, gin, or any flavoured liquor that suits your taste.
  • Create cocktail-inspired jelly shots: try combinations like clementine and prosecco, cosmos, piña coladas, or margaritas.
  • Add a few drops of food colouring to create vibrant shots: use yellow for a banana daiquiri, red for a planter's punch, and blue for a blue Hawaiian.
  • Layer different flavours and colours to create a rainbow effect: chill each layer until it's almost set before adding the next one.

Presentation:

  • Use creative moulds: try fruit rinds (such as lemons, limes, or oranges), mini muffin or cake pop silicon moulds, ice cube trays, or cookie cutters to create unique shapes.
  • Garnish your jelly shots: add fresh fruit, chocolate chips, whipped cream, or festive sprinkles for a touch of elegance or fun.
  • Make a tray of spiked jelly and cut it into cubes for serving: this way, your guests can grab their own portions.
  • Serve your jelly shots in unique ways: pour them into martini glasses, blend them with ice chips for a slushie, or add sparkling wine for a jelly shot mimosa.

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