Jellied Gin & Tonic

We are back from our Christmas break with another great recipe submitted by Vancouver chef Oliver Corby. When I spoke with Oliver on the phone he told me he had an interesting recipe for gin and tonic. "But why would anybody need a recipe for gin and tonic?" I asked. "Well, this gin and tonic is a little different" he told me;" it is jellied gin and tonic."

I was intrigued so I tried it and it is indeed very interesting. Here is how I made it:

Ingredients

• 100ml gin
• 100ml boiling water
• 300ml tonic water
• 1 sachet Knox brand gelatin (sets 2 cups of liquid)

Preparation

• Pour 100ml of tonic water into a measuring jug and sprinkle the gelatin on top
  
• Stir, then add 100ml of boiling water and stir again until the gelatin dissolves
• Pour in the gin and top up to 500ml with more tonic water
• Line a small dish with cling film and pour in the gin and tonic mix
• Leave in the refrigerator until set then cut into cubes
  
• Mix together icing sugar, baking soda and citric acid. Sprinkle a tiny bit on the top of jelly cube right before consumption for best effect

John's Notes
The citric acid combines with the baking soda to give a carbonated feeling on the tongue, just like drinking a real gin and tonic. Jellied Gin & Tonics will also glow under black light like the drink.

The original recipe used gelatine sheets mixed with warmed gin. I only had powdered gelatine available. If you can obtain gelatine sheets place them in cold water for a couple of minutes until they bloom (become soft and easy to work with). Remove from water, gently squeeze out excess water and stir into gently warmed gin, then add tonic.

I wanted to take a picture of the finished product but it is hard to get a good image of clear jelly cubes that would convey just how good it is. Give it a try, it is really good. And remember, don't eat and drive!