The Kamikaze Jelly Shot
The votes are for the favorite collegiate flashback cocktail! By a landslide. . . the Kamikaze! We had to have a little fun with the technique, with Halloween just around the corner . . . As such, we proudly present Kamikaze Jelly Shot Eyeballs! Aren't they creepily adorable?!
Eyeball shaped Kamikaze Jelly Shots
(giant ghoul hand sold separately)
(Recipe and eyeball technique instructions follow . . .) If you're not in an optical mood, a plain cube of Kamikaze looks quite nice too!
Kamikaze Jelly Shots
2 cups vodka
1 cup water
½ cup Cointreau
½ cup Rose’s lime juice
4 envelopes Knox gelatin
(if desired, a teaspoon of simple syrup, Karo syrup or agave nectar may also be added to smooth out the flavors . . .)
Combine ingredients in pan on stove, heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Pour into pan, chill until set. Cut into squares.
Makes one 9" x 9" pan, a 9" diameter round cake pan, or two standard loaf pans, approximately 36-48 shots depending on how you slice . . .
Halloween "Eyeball" Technique Primer
Ingredients: 1 batch of the Kamikaze Shot recipe (above)
Implements: ½ inch diameter round cookie cutter, 1 ½ inch diameter round cookie cutter, food coloring in blue, green and red, small paintbrush (or just use your pinky), small plates, a fork, paper towels
Prepare the Kamikaze jelly shot recipe as shown above.
Pour two 2/3 cup portions of Kamikaze shot mixture into two separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring in desired eye colors (we used blue and green) into each, mix. Place bowls in freezer, allow to quick set (approximately 15 to 20 minutes).
Reserve ¾ cup of the shot mixture in container on counter. Pour remaining shot mixture into 9" x 9" square pan or 9” diameter round pan, put in freezer to quick set (approximately 15 to 20 minutes).
When set, remove the bowls of colored shot mixture from the freezer. Cut out circles with the small 1/2 inch diameter cookie cutter (these will be the “irises”). Transfer the colored circles to a plate, paint (or dab with your pinky) a round dot in each using the blue food coloring, making a pupil in the center. Allow the food coloring to dry a minute or so (until no longer shiny).
Remove the pan of un-tinted shot mixture from the freezer when set. “Rake” the mixture thoroughly with a fork, forming small globules of gelatin.
Pour the reserved shot mixture into the pan of raked mixture, mix well. Insert the “irises”, painted side down, gently pushing them to the bottom of the pan, allowing enough room between each to cut out a proper “eyeball” with the larger cookie cutter. (You will likely have more “irises” than you can use– select the best ones and toss the rejects.) Note: the surface of the shot mixture will be rough - not to worry, this rough textured side will face down, and the top of the shots will be smooth.
Squeeze several drops of red food coloring onto a plate. Dab the food coloring into the crevices on the surface of the shot mixture with a paper towel, working in about a 2" x 2" inch sections. Gently wipe excess mixture off with a clean paper towel to remove excess red food coloring - the red food coloring should remain in the crevices only, giving your eyeballs a lovely "bloodshot" effect.
Return pan to refrigerator, allow mixture to set fully - at least 2 hours (can be made a day ahead). Cut out the “eyeballs” with the larger round cookie cutter - ideally just before serving to keep a clean round shape to your shots. Serve to initially horrified, eventually delighted guests. . .
Cheers,
JSTK
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