Here's what I found--Check out the chocolate covered cherry!!!!!!!!!
What Is The Best Tasting Jell-O Shot?
The Experiment
Previously, we investigated the strongest possible Jell-O shot and showed that a Jell-O shot can, in fact, be lit on fire. The reader response to these investigations was overwhelming, we received hundreds of methods and recipes for producing the "best" Jell-O shot. Equipped with this reader input, a minibars worth of booze, a grocery cart full of Jell-O, and the spirit of scientific investigation, we embarked on a grueling series of further Jell-O shot trials, and here we present our findings.
The Flavor Challenge
Previously we focused our efforts on maximizing the alcoholic potency of the shots. But, as we discovered, the flavor suffered severely as a result. This compromises the basic utility and purpose of the Jell-O shot. Jell-O shots are supposed to get you buzzed, but they are also supposed to taste good.
In our selection of liquors and recipe combinations, we tried to stick to the basics: liquors and ingredients that were economical and easy to find or likely to be on hand. Likewise, we kept most of the formulas simple and pared a few classic cocktails down to their basic elements. In other words, the best taste with the least effort. Nevertheless, we did take on some creative challenges.
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Start With the Basics
Heres a rundown of some of the best basic Jell-O/liquor combinations that we tried. Of course, it goes without saying that you can put vodka in anything, or use a flavored vodka that matches the Jell-O (Orange and Stoli Oranj, for example). The following combos and recipes got approval from our panel of tasters. Standout favorites were cherry and amaretto, watermelon and sour apple schnapps, orange and Captain Morgans, and anything containing peach schnapps.
These shots were prepared by dissolving 3 oz. Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then adding 8oz. (1 cup) of cold liquid straight alcohol, a mixture of liqueur and vodka, or alcohol and cold water. For flavored liquors (Absolut Citron, Malibu, Captain Morgans) 1 cup of liquor was used. For strong tasting, high proof liquors (tequila and rum) a mixture of 4 oz. liquor and 4 oz. cold water was used. The liquors varied in potency from 30 proof (15% ABV) to 80 proof (40% ABV), which put the shots in the range of 10% ABV to 20% ABV. In other words, it would take a few of them to equal the alcohol content of one cocktail.
Lime Jell-O:
Absolut Citron Crisp and lively citrus flavor.
Tequila Plain tequila and lime is the quick and dirty way to make a margarita shot.
Cherry Jell-O:
Amaretto An excellent combination, tastes like the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries. Can be overly sweet if you add too much.
Peach schnapps Mild but flavorful, tastes like candy.
Crème de cacao This creates a chocolate/cherry flavor with more complexity than average. Too much of the liqueur tastes bitter.
Orange Jell-O:
Peach Schnapps Use for a Fuzzy Navel effect. Sweet and mellow flavor.
Tequila Tangy and spicy, the orange really smooths out the tequila.
Captain Morgans - Sweet and spicy, would be good for the holidays.
Amaretto Tastes like a creamsicle or Orange Julius.
Malibu Very smooth, pleasant coconut aftertaste.
Southern Comfort Sweet with a bit more alcoholic bite and edge than schnapps.
Lemon Jell-O:
Absolut Citron Tart and clean, like a lemondrop but not as sweet.
Watermelon Jell-O:
Sour Apple Schnapps Fantastic flavor, tastes exactly like a Jolly Rancher candy.
Tequila Complex, tangy flavor, has a bite to it.
Midori Sweet, more of a generic melon flavor.
Strawberry Jell-O:
Peach Schnapps Sweet and candylike.
White rum The quick and dirty strawberry daiquiri.
Tequila Peppery, tangy, not overly sweet.
Sour Apple Schnapps The schnapps enhances the berry flavor for a sweet/tart effect.
Midori Fruity, tastes a bit like bubblegum.
Peach Jell-O:
Malibu Very smooth, alcohol flavor almost unnoticeable.
Captain Morgans Tastes like peach pie, a little spicy.
Southern Comfort Sweet, with a mild bourbon flavor.
Peach Schnapps Very, very sweet and very peachy.
Sour Apple Schnapps Tastes like Sweetarts.
Raspberry Jell-O:
Peach Schnapps Fruity, sweet, tastes like red Twizzlers.
Midori Very sweet, fruity, tastes like bubble gum.
Berry Blue Jell-O:
Honestly, we couldnt find anything that tasted good with the blue Jell-O. Maybe because its a terrible flavor to begin with. Absolut Kurant might work. One reader suggested 99 Berries liqueur.
A couple of readers suggested pineapple Jell-O and Malibu, for a pina colada effect, but we were unable to find pineapple Jell-O.
Lessons Learned: Universal Jell-O Shot Mixer
Our most important finding? Besides vodka, peach schnapps appears to be an almost universal mixer for any flavor of Jell-O. Peach schnapps tastes like candy. Its not overly tart or bitter, and the taste is mild enough to complement most fruit flavors, with the possible exception of lime and grape.
In general, go easy on syrupy liqueurs like amaretto and schnapps and use just enough for flavor; unless youre using plain unsweetened gelatin, their sugariness can become cloying and their flavors overwhelming. Cutting them with a clear liquor like vodka or rum will supplement their low alcohol content and balance the taste. A liquor mix of half peach schnapps and half vodka is ideal: the vodka punches up the potency, while the schnapps mellows things out, adding sweetness and flavor.
Another common sense tip: adjust the amount and proportions of alcohol according to the flavor intensity and proof of the liquor youre using. Adding a half cup of 40 proof Malibu to a batch of Jell-O will have a different effect than adding a half cup of 80 proof tequila.
Another important discovery: do not put Baileys in fruit-flavored Jell-O. The citric acid in the Jell-O powder will cause it to curdle. The resulting liquid resembles spew. It doesnt taste very good either. You can make gelatin shots with Baileys, but because of the dairy content, you must use unflavored gelatin as the base. Baileys is also good in pudding, but well get to that later.
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Chocolate Covered Cherry Jell-O Shot
A few readers suggested Jell-O shot recipes involving various combinations of whipped cream, chocolate topping, chocolate liqueur, and alcohol soaked cherries. We combined them all into a chocolate/cherry concoction that was insanely delicious and really takes Jell-O shots to the next level and beyond. We started with maraschino cherries soaked in rum, and embedded them in a cherry Jell-O shot made with crème de cacao and vodka.
That in itself was pretty tasty, but then we covered it with a layer of Magic Shell chocolate topping and added a dollop of Reddi-Whip. The refrigerated Jell-O was not cold enough to make the chocolate shell harden, so we popped it in the freezer for a few minutes before serving to achieve the ideal consistency. This step may result in your Jell-O freezing if you forget about it (as we did on one occasion), but even semi-frozen this recipe tastes great. These shots take more work and preparation, but you can use them to astound your friends or impress that special someone. Dont go too heavy on the crème de cacao, though - too much makes the shot bitter.
3 oz. package cherry Jell-O
8 oz. (1 cup) boiling water
4 oz. crème de cacao
Maraschino cherries, with or without stems
4 oz. white rum
Chocolate Magic Shell ice cream topping
Spray can of whipped cream
Soak cherries in rum for at least 24 hours. Add some maraschino cherry juice if you need extra liquid to cover the fruit. Place one cherry in each empty Jell-O shot cup. Mix cherry Jell-O and hot water, let cool to room temperature, then add crème de cacao and ½ cup reserved rum mixture from cherries. Pour into cups so that cherries are submerged. Chill until firm. Cover with a thin layer of chocolate topping and place in freezer for 2 minutes. Top with whipped cream and serve immediately.
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