Featured Recipe
Cherry Rum Soda Jello Shots
By Kate
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A twist on traditional cherry coke jello shots, swapping cherry gelatin for strawberry and adding a splash of amaretto alongside rum. Adjusted ratios with reduced gelatin for a firmer set. Steps reordered for efficiency and clarity. Use heat to fully dissolve gelatin and capture that caramel fizz aroma from simmered cola. Chill until firm and top with tangy maraschino halves right before serving to avoid sogginess. Practical tips for substitution include diet soda versions and flavored rums. Pay attention to glossy mixture texture and jiggle firmness rather than strict time.
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Prep:
20 min
Cook:
5 min
Total:
Serves:
24 servings
party
desserts
cocktails
Introduction
Soda and gelatin fusion can easily go wrong. Too much cola heats off fizz or burns off sugar; too little gelatin means runny mess. Here, use heat just enough to bubble gently, trapping aromatic caramel notes. The substitution of strawberry gelatin cuts some tartness, making a fruit medley with maraschino cherries a bit less sharp. Amaretto sneaks in an almond twist that pairs surprisingly well with the rum backbone. Timing? Don’t obsess over the clock. Instead, rely on visual cues. Look for shiny surfaces and firm jiggling when nudged. Sensitive to melting? Keep shots chilled right up to plating. These can sit for a day ahead but don’t anticipate holding beyond 48 hours or texture degrades. Practical approach trumps fussy precision every time with shots.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Gelatin choice makes all the difference — use a trusted brand with consistent bloom strength since cheaper versions can lead to inconsistent setting times. Substituting cherry gelatin for strawberry softens acidity, so balance sweetness by opting for slightly less sugary soda or diet variants for lower carb content. Rum can be replaced by vodka for neutral flavor or spiced rum for complex warmth. Amaretto adds a faint nutty tone and rounds out the fruitiness but is optional if sidelining additional liquor complexity. For garnish, maraschino cherries provide vibrant color and mild acidity, heightening the contrast versus syrupy base. Plastic shot containers are preferred over glass for safety and ease. Silicone molds offer fun shapes but require careful unmolding technique to maintain shape integrity.
Method
Prepare Gelatin Base
- Heat 1 cup of Coca-Cola in a medium heatproof bowl or a 4-cup measuring cup with a spout. Near boiling is essential. Bubbles should just start to appear, not rolling boil to avoid evaporating soda flavor. Listen for light simmer sounds; bubbling hints it's hot enough to dissolve gelatin quickly.
- Sprinkle 5 ounces strawberry gelatin evenly over hot cola. Whisk briskly but gently to avoid too much frothy foam. Gelatin must fully dissolve; gritty flecks mean under-mixed, so keep whisking until mixture looks entirely clear with no grainy bits. Expect some tiny fizz pops and caramel scent as gelatin blends into hot soda.
- Stir in 2 cups cold Coca-Cola, maintaining glossy texture with slight shimmer on surface. Add 3/4 cup white rum and 1/4 cup amaretto. Use chilled spirits to keep temperature from dropping gelatin prematurely. Stir until homogeneous mix forms with lighter carbonation release visible; slight fizzing signals liquor and soda integrating.
- Pour liquid carefully into plastic shot glasses or silicone molds for ease of unmolding. Fill each about 3/4 full to allow topping without overflow.
- Place in refrigerator on flat, stable rack. Set time ranges 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on fridge temperature and gelatin concentration. Visual jiggle test is more reliable than clock - firm edges with slight wobble center means ready.
- Minutes before serving, top each shot with a maraschino cherry half. Adds sweet-tart contrast and visual pop. Avoid adding too early to prevent cherry sinking or becoming soggy.
- Serve cold. Shots keep firmness longest in cold environments; warming causes melting and syrupy mess.
Combine Cold Liquids
Set Shots
Finish and Serve
Technique Tips
Heating cola till near boil is critical to dissolve gelatin fully; if mixture remains grainy, heat again briefly and stir. Avoid a rolling boil as it burns off carbonation and flattens soda’s flavor. Whisking properly ensures no lumps which can ruin shot texture. Combining cold soda afterward prevents setting too early while stirring in alcohol evenly integrates flavors without curdling gelatin. Pour carefully into shot glasses to avoid bubbles causing holes or fissures. Refrigeration varies with fridge model: trust jiggle test over strict times - firm edges, slight wobble means done. Adding garnish last minute avoids soggy fruit or cherry sinking, maintaining a clean presentation. Leftover shots lose firmness rapidly at room temp and can become sticky; serve straight from fridge and keep chilled until consumed.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 For gelatin, quality matters. Use a trusted brand; cheaper versions can lead to disasters. Too much gelatin, shots won’t set. Too little, they collapse. Aim for balance.
- 💡 A heating tip: keep cola just near boiling. Bubbles should be light, not rolling. Too hot? You lose carbonation. Too cool? Gelatin won’t dissolve. Find the sweet spot.
- 💡 Cold ingredients like soda maintain temp. Add vodka instead of rum? Neutral flavor; spiced adds warmth. Amaretto is optional; cuts acidity slightly. Explore for personal flavor.
- 💡 Scoop to serve. Fill containers only three-quarters full. Leave space for cherries. Avoid overflow. Ensure stability in fridge; will set better that way. Balance matters.
- 💡 Final touch is the cherry. Hours in advance will leave you soggy. Add minutes before serving! It’s about texture, visual appeal; bright red complements the shots.
Kitchen Wisdom
Why is gelatin grainy?
Might not heat enough. Go back, gently heat till dissolved. Bubbles but no rolling boil. Should be clear, no flecks.
Can I use diet cola?
Yes. Adjust sweetness to taste. Lower calories. Just remember, carbonation changes with diet versions; impact on texture.
What if shots won’t set?
Check gelatin quality first. Maybe added too much liquid or heat. Stick to ratios; keep stirring. Heat briefly, stir.
How to store leftovers?
Chill immediately. Use airtight containers. Keep in cold; otherwise they become sticky. Consume within 48 hours for best texture.
