July is a great month: it is summer in all it’s glory, so of course it’s been declared National Ice Cream Month AND National Berry Month. I don’t know what organization determines these national designations, but we food bloggers love themes and I’ve seen tons of frosty frozen treats to cool a sweltering nation, luscious, exotic ice cream and gelato flavors, and mouthwatering berry cakes, scones, and muffins to support this theory.
For our family, July 2012 is one we will never forget. We’re celebrating the birth of our first grandchild (confessions of a wanna-be trophy wife 😉 – you don’t have to be old to have grand kids, really) and a smooth beginning to College Girl’s six-month adventure in Japan. In celebration, I’m closing July with a BANG! by sharing this recipe for Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots. It wasn’t something I made with the intention of posting (e.g. only iPhone photos), but due to the outpouring on Facebook and Instagram, I’m happy to oblige. Share the love, you know.
I brought these plump little teasers as my contribution to dessert at a book signing party for food writer Cheryl Sternman Rule and food photographer Paulette Phlipo’s lush newly-released cookbook Ripe at Kim’s Rustic Garden Bistro.
I had these juicy little jello shots in the back of mind to make during the dog days of summer ever since I pinned the photo a few months ago on Pinterest. The recipe I used for the margarita lime jello inside those luscious berries is courtesy of Kim from Liv Life who credits the idea for the strawberry jello shots to Bakers Royale. First, go to your local farmers market and buy the biggest, sweetest, juiciest strawberries you can find – preferably organic, of course. Normally, I don’t recommend buying the biggest of anything, but in this case, the bigger the better 🙂
- 2 pints of large, fresh strawberries
- Garnish 2 limes, halved and thinly sliced
- 6 oz. good quality tequila* (3/4 of a cup)
- ½ cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 Tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 4 (or more!) Tbs sugar
- 2 envelopes Knox Original Gelatin, Unflavored,
- 6 Tbs Water
- 1-2 Tbs Grand Marnier or Courvoisier
- pinch of salt
- Cut the bottoms of the strawberry flat to get them to stand upright. When you do so, make sure that you do not cut off so much that there is a hole at the bottom.
- Use a huller, apple corer, or paring knife to carefully remove the fruit from inside the strawberry.
- In a medium bowl add tequila and fresh squeezed juices. Sprinkle geletin over the top. Heat water in a microwave until boiling, add sugar and whisk a few times. Pour hot sugar water into the tequila and add Grand Marnier and a small pinch of salt.
- Whisk the mixture until gelatin dissolves (I whisked for about 3 minutes). If gelatin is not dissolving, heat briefly (start at 30 seconds) in the microwave, being careful not to allow mixture to boil and continue whisking. The sugar will also dissolve. Pour the mixture into a 1 cup glass measuring cup and slowly pour into the center of each strawberry. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Once the strawberries have been emptied, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat the outside of the strawberries dry.
- Check each strawberry and make sure there is not a hole in the bottom before you start filling.
Enjoy 🙂
First of all, congrats to the new addition to your family–what a blessing! Secondly, it’s 10 am but I wouldn’t have a problem inhaling a few of these delightful jello shots! How perfect for a party, Priscilla. 🙂
These are so fun, Priscilla! Great idea 🙂
Congratulations on being a grandmother, it’s a wonderful reason to have a strawberry margarita jello shot!
They are so pretty and **FUN** 😉
Congratulations on being a grandma!
These strawberry margarita jello shots are lovely.
First those are adorable; I’m not typically a ‘jello shot’ type but I could be swayed if presented so beautifully…and then after one or two, well, who’s counting.
I have that book. it is so gorgeous. And Cheryl is generous and charming. Plus Kim who is adorable. Doggone it I think I’m jealous!! 🙂
So festive! Salud!
LL
First of all, congrats on becoming a grandmother!! You are NOT old, so no worries 😉 Glad to hear your daughter is doing well in Japan as well! Definitely sounds like an awesome summer for you guys!
These jello shots are so cool! I love that they are served in the strawberries. So smart and really pretty. Don’t you just love it when you can eat the packaging?? lol.
Congratulations Priscilla! A grandchild! wow! Such a wonderful feeling 🙂
The strawberry shots are great to any summer party!
Wow! Now that is really a great and novel way to make jello shots.
Should you cool the filling before putting into the berries?
Hi Debby – you can cool it slightly, but don’t let the jello set up or you won’t be able to pour it into the berries 🙂