When we first moved to our current neighborhood, the previous owner of our home told us it was known as the Jell-O Shot House at Halloween and he hoped we would keep up that tradition. At the time, I had never made Jell-O shots before, but I was willing to give it a try. I tried out some recipes with Jell-O I had on hand, but I didn’t really like them much. I’ve never been a fan of gelatin as a food item, but I liked the concept of gelatin shots.

Some time later, my sister Diane told me about Fireball Whiskey. Being Irish, I naturally like whiskey, so I headed to the liquor store to get some. I asked the store clerk when Fireball Whiskey came into being because I had never heard of it before. He told me it was something young people usually drank. I’m not sure, but he may have been calling me old! Long story short, I tried it, liked it & created a gelatin shot recipe using it for Halloween.

Gilbert & Andrew working on their Ernie & Bert costumes for Halloween.

Great Balls of Fire Gelatin Shots (an original recipe)

Makes about 20 1-ounce shots

• 1/2 cup whiskey
• 1/2 cup Fireball whiskey
• 1 envelope Knox Gelatine
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 4-inch cinnamon sticks, broken in half or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
• 20 – 25 1-ounce shot cups & lids

Mix the whiskeys together in a covered bowl or cup and chill them for 2 hours or longer in the freezer. (Since it is alcohol, it will not freeze, it will just get very cold.) When the whiskey is cold, coat 20 1-ounce gelatin shot cups with cooking spray and set them aside. Sprinkle the envelope of gelatin over the cold whiskeys and allow it to sit while making the simple syrup.

The gelatin needs to soften in the cold whiskeys before the hot liquid is added.

To make the simple syrup, heat the sugar, water & cinnamon sticks in a small saucepot over high heat until it boils, stirring occasionally.  Boil the syrup for a minute, stirring to ensure all the sugar is dissolved. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Whisk the whiskey & gelatin mixture together for 1 minute then strain the cinnamon simple syrup into the whiskey & gelatin mixture.

Pour the cinnamon simple syrup into the cold whiskey & gelatin mixture.

Whisk it all together for 5 minutes so the gelatin is well dissolved & distributed.  Pour the mixture into gelatin shot cups.

Fill the shot cups with the whiskey & cinnamon syrup mixture.

Cover the shot cups with lids and refrigerate them for 4 hours or more.

Great Balls of Fire!

Happy Fireball Halloween!  ~Linda

Great Balls of Fire Gelatin Shots (an original recipe)

Makes about 20 1-ounce shots

• 1/2 cup whiskey
• 1/2 cup Fireball whiskey
• 1 envelope Knox gelatin
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 4-inch cinnamon sticks, broken in half or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
• 20 – 25 1-ounce shot cups with lids

Mix the whiskeys together in a covered bowl or cup and chill them for 2 hours or longer in the freezer. (Since it is alcohol, it will not freeze, it will just get very cold.)

When the whiskey is cold, coat 20 1-ounce gelatin shot cups with cooking spray and set them aside. Sprinkle the envelope of gelatin over the cold whiskeys and allow it to sit while making the simple syrup.

To make the simple syrup, heat the sugar, water & cinnamon sticks in a small saucepot over high heat until it boils, stirring occasionally.  Boil the syrup for a minute, stirring to ensure all the sugar is dissolved. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Whisk the whiskey & gelatin mixture together for 1 minute then strain the cinnamon simple syrup into the whiskey & gelatin mixture. Whisk it all together for 5 minutes to ensure all the gelatin is dissolved.  Pour the mixture into gelatin shot cups. Cover the shots with lids and refrigerate them for 4 hours or more.