Rock Candy Jello Shooters with Midori Melon Sour — put the kids to bed and enjoy a playful adult treat with these Jell-O shooters turned into rock candy pops, spiked with Midori Melon Sour.
Rock-Candy-Jello-Shooter with Midori Melon Sour
Do you remember the joy of those rock candies on a wooden stick from childhood? This recipe reinvents that idea as a Jello shooter on a stick. If it seems like I’m on a Jello-shooter streak, you’re right — these are fun to create and a hit with guests. Although I don’t drink often, I appreciate how a little alcohol can elevate desserts and cocktail-style treats.
My football-watching friends challenged me to come up with another creative Jello shooter variation, so I devised this playful Rock Candy Jello Shooter. It’s festive, colorful, and perfect for parties where adults want a nostalgic, boozy bite.
A few notes before you begin:
- This recipe is straightforward but requires some time and planning. Complete the first step a day ahead so the jigglers are firm and easy to dice.
- To make a non-alcoholic, kid-friendly version, replace the alcohol portion with 4 ounces of flat Sprite or a similar lemon-lime soda.
- Knox plain gelatin acts as the binder to hold the diced Jello pieces together. When pouring the final gelatin, pour just enough to bind the pieces without fully submerging them. Depending on your pan, you may have leftover gelatin mix.
- Other Jello shooter ideas include lemon-drop-style wedges and strawberry margarita shooters, if you want more inspiration.
Rock Candy Jello Shooters with Midori Melon Sour
Yields 12 pops
Ingredients
Jello:
- 1 large packet lime Jell-O
Gelatin mix:
- 2 packets Knox plain gelatin
- 1½ cups boiling water
- 3 oz. whiskey sour (sweet-and-sour mix or bottled whiskey sour)
- 3 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
Make the Jello “jigglers”:
- Lightly coat an 8×8 pan with baking spray. Prepare the lime Jell-O according to the package directions and pour into the prepared pan. Refrigerate until set. To remove the set Jell-O, run a knife along the pan edges and briefly set the pan in warm water for about five seconds; this helps release the Jell-O. Turn the sheet out and dice into small cubes. Place the diced Jell-O in an 8×4 loaf pan lightly sprayed with baking spray, then return to the refrigerator overnight so the pieces firm up.
Prepare the gelatin binder:
- Bring 1½ cups of water to a boil. Pour the boiling water into a heatproof bowl and let it cool slightly.
- Combine the Midori and whiskey sour mix in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake briefly, and pour into a bowl. Sprinkle both packets of Knox gelatin over the chilled cocktail mixture and let it sit for five minutes to bloom. Slowly add the hot water to the bowl, stirring until the gelatin is fully dissolved, about five minutes. Stir in the tablespoon of sugar until dissolved.
Assembly:
- Remove the chilled pan of diced Jell-O from the refrigerator. Gently pour the prepared gelatin mixture over the diced pieces, filling to about three-quarters of the way up — enough to bind the pieces without completely submerging them. Return the pan to the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight to set firmly.
- Once set, remove the pan and cut the set Jello into three long strips, approximately 3 inches by 1¼ inches each, trimming the sides in a jagged pattern to mimic rock candy edges. Insert a Popsicle stick through the center of each strip to create the pops.
Serve chilled. These rock candy Jello shooters make a whimsical party treat — adjust the alcohol to taste or swap in soda for a family-friendly version. Enjoy responsibly.