If you’re looking for a fun yet sophisticated boozy addition to your next summer get-together, you can’t go wrong with espresso martini Jell-O shots. Often, they’re made in layers: a dark, translucent Kahlua-and-espresso layer underneath a lighter, creamy layer infused with that other vital espresso martini element, vodka. The layering not only looks pleasing on the buffet table, it also makes the shots a more interesting culinary experience, with the contrasting tastes and textures.
While espresso martini Jell-O shots are made in much the same way as your typical rainbow-colored Jell-O shots, there’s one important distinction. When using unflavored gelatin sheets or powder (which you’ll need for these shots), you must first bloom the gelatin in cold liquid. Blooming, in essence, is just preparing your gelatin to eventually set properly, without becoming too gooey or fragile. Using hot water instead of cold will cause the gelatin granules to swell unevenly, which won’t translate to a smooth and pleasing texture later.
If you’re used to making rainbow-colored Jell-O shots, you may be thinking, “I never bloom my Jell-O!” And in fact, the first step when preparing packaged Jell-O is to dissolve it in hot water. This is because the gelatin present in the Jell-O has already been processed and combined with other ingredients, making further blooming unnecessary.
Other considerations when making Jell-O shots
If you fail to bloom the gelatin, your espresso martini Jell-O shots will be a major disappointment instead of a crowning triumph. But other things can go wrong as well when making Jell-O shots. After you’ve bloomed the gelatin, you’ll also want to slowly heat your gelatin-liquid mixture in order to thoroughly dissolve the gelatin. But beware! If you bring the mixture all the way to a boil, the gelatin may not set. You’ll also want to follow the recipe carefully, as using too much liquid can also result in a failure to set. Finally, make sure you give yourself plenty of time for the Jell-O shots to set. Typically, they’ll need about two to four hours.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to have fun! Jell-O shots can be customized in a variety of ways, and the same goes for these espresso martini Jell-O shots. You may want to stick with the coffee-vodka flavors for a true espresso martini shot, but you can always mix and match with the type of coffee you use, the quality (and flavor) of the vodka, and more. If you’re willing to stray slightly from a classic espresso martini taste, you could always think about incorporating other flavors that go well with coffee, such as chocolate or orange — perhaps in the form of chocolate vodka or orange liqueur. Just don’t get so lost in the creativity that you forget to bloom that gelatin!
