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Happy Hour: Eyeball Highball

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:45:11 -0700

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Happy Hour: Candy Corn Cordials

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:33:05 -0700

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Happy Hour: Peach Donkey

partysugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:23:35 -0700

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Happy Hour: Pink Torpedoes

partysugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:25:28 -0700

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Happy Hour: Redhead in Bed

partysugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:23:47 -0700

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Happy Hour: Sage Lady

partysugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:07:30 -0700

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Happy Hour: Raspberry-Chocolate Kiss Cocktail

partysugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:50:33 -0800

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Happy Hour: Jell-O Shots Three Ways

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:13:39 -0800

I seriously thought I'd make it out of my 20s without ever having made Jell-O shots. However, sometimes a party calls for a little extra fun.

Last week I was pulled aside and asked if I could make 60 Jell-O shots by the next day. Being YumSugar, I said sure thing, no problem; it wasn't until later that I went into panic mode. Jell-O shots? Seriously? How do I make them? What's the correct ratio? What do I serve them in? After a few minutes on Google, the panic went away, and soon I had several unpredictable flavors and a clever serving tip. So I bought my supplies, spent an hour in the kitchen, and the next day there were Jell-O shots in three flavors: margarita, classic cherry, and spiked tropical punch.

If you've always wanted to try Jell-O shots, get my recipes and tips on how to serve when you read more

First of all, if you can, find cups that are half the size of the ones pictured. Look for something like the little cups you get salsa in at taquerias or ketchup in at some fast food places. Most party supply places will have these in stock. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to get my supplies, none of these places were open. In a pinch Dixie Cups work very well. You may want to spray the insides with a quick coating of Pam or some other oil spray. This is so the shots will come out easily. I didn't like the way it sounded so I skipped that step; however, I think it would have helped.

If you'd rather serve your shots as orange slices, simply omit the cups and pour the Jell-O mixture into cleaned out orange halves. To prepare, slice orange in half horizontally, use a grapefruit spoon to remove the contents, and pour Jell-O mixture in as if it were a bowl. Slice with a sharp knife just prior to serving.

Spiked Punch Jell-O Shots

6 oz package of Tropical Fusion Jell-O
16 oz boiling water
8 oz rum
1 oz peach schnapps
7 oz cold water

Empty Jell-O packet into a large bowl or container.
Add boiling water to bowl. Whisk together until fully dissolved. About 3 minutes.
Add rum, peach schnapps, and cold water. Whisk together.
Spoon or pour into prepared cups.
Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

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Margarita Jell-O Shots

6 oz package of Lime Jell-O
Two cups (16 oz) boiling water
6 oz tequila
2 oz triple sec
1 oz lime juice
1 oz cold water

Empty Jell-O packet into a large bowl or container
Add boiling water to bowl. Whisk together until fully dissolved. About 3 minutes.
Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice and cold water. Whisk together.
Spoon or pour into prepared cups.
Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

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Classic Jell-O Shots
6 oz package of Jell-O (any flavor, although cranberry could then be called a "cosmo")
16 oz boiling water
8 oz cold water
8 oz vodka

Empty Jell-O packet into a large bowl or container.
Add boiling water to bowl. Whisk together until fully dissolved. About 3 minutes.
Add vodka and cold water. Whisk together. [Note: you can add more alcohol if desired; make sure the total is 16 oz (two cups) of liquid. The more alcohol you add, the harder it is for it to set. You may not want to exceed 12 oz vodka and 4 oz cold water.]
Spoon or pour into prepared cups.
Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

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Happy Hour: Lotus Vodka

partysugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:01:57 -0700

I was delighted when the creator of Lotus, a new local vodka brand, offered to give us a private tasting. With its sleek, stark bottle and karma-friendly name, this vodka is smooth with no harsh bite. However it wasn't the elegant, subtle finish or its metallic, chic bottle that got me excited. It was its secret weapon.

Lotus is not your regular vodka: It's packed with vitamins and ginseng that make it one of the first anti-hangover alcohols on the market. Unlike many of the charcoal-filtered, stinging vodkas out there, Lotus has a high amount of the necessary vitamins to prevent crippling hangovers. While I don't recommend that you rush out and pound an entire bottle with hopes of feeling fine in the morning, I do suggest a cocktail or two of this delightful vodka.

It's served at bars all over San Francisco, but if you don't live in the Bay Area, purchase a bottle online and mix yourself a martini at home.

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Happy Hour: Rose Mary

partysugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:13:58 -0700

On what may have been the most gorgeous Tuesday night ever, I headed down to the Ferry Building for Chow's Cocktail Square Off. In an attempt to promote and encourage the growing art of mixology, Chow partnered with organic vodka producers Square One to host a cocktail contest.

With contestants from all over the states, the top two - professional mixologist Ronaldo Colli and amateur mixer and shaker Abigail Gullo - met in a Iron Chef style battle. Both had to create signature cocktails that were judged by a panel of local figures, including Chow's editor in chief, Jane Goldman.

In the end Ronaldo's drinks won the contest and the people's choice award. His winning drink, the Rose Mary, was a refreshing mix of vodka, watermelon, and lime juice that was perfectly sweetened and super easy to drink. To take a look at the recipe and a gallery of images from the event, read more

Rose Mary
From Ronaldo Colli

1/2 branch of rosemary (organic)
4 chunks of watermelon (organic)
1/2 ounce lime juice, fresh squeezed (organic)
3/4 ounce 43 liqueur
1 1/2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
Splash of agave nectar, if necessary (organic)
3 lime wheels (garnish)
1 long branch of rosemary, leaves peeled off beginning approximately two fingers from the top (garnish)

In a pint glass, muddle rosemary and watermelon, add lime juice, 43 liqueur, Square One Organic Vodka, and ice.
Shake and add agave nectar, if necessary.
Then double strain (fine strain) into a chilled collins glass filled with ice and lime wheels, and finish garnishing with rosemary branch inside of the cocktail.

Serves 1.

Please Note: While Ronaldo made his drink with all organic products feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

Substitution: Feel free to use a splash of simple syrup instead of agave nectar.

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