Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Liquored-Up Lollipops - A 21 & Over Treat!

Just in time for a Fourth of July party. While looking for a hostess gift to make I came across this cute idea.  These home-made lollipops  with your choice of liquor, opens up a whole new world of pretty, tasty and boozy treats.   They are the perfect before or after dinner dessert or an excellent treat to give as a hostess gift.  












The liquored lollipops took almost no time to make.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp liquor (vodka, gin, rum,scotch,tequila)
2 tbsp cold water
3/4 c sugar
3 tbsp corn syrup
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp food color (optional)




Here's how:

In a small saucepan, mix together 1/4c of alcohol (I used Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka) with the water, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Stir together using a heatproof spatula and bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Using a candy thermometer, bring mixture to 300F without stirring.  It may take 15-20 minutes to reach this temperature which is the hard crack candy stage.

 The hard-crack stage is the highest temperature you are likely to see specified in a candy recipe. At these temperatures, there is almost no water left in the syrup. Be careful not to go too much higher. The liquid begins to turn darker in color and if the temperature gets too high, say, 338 degrees, it will turn brown and the sugar will caramelize. Watch out if you hit 350 degrees. The sugar begins to burn and develop a bitter and burnt taste.

*A word of caution. Use a small saucepan.  I didn't realized my pot was too big for the amount of ingredients.  The candy thermometer barely touched the mixture.  I had to tilt the pot to get an more accurate reading. I didn't realize how long it would take for the water to boil off.

Once you reach 300 degrees, remove from heat and work quickly to add any additional alcohol or food coloring.  I didn't add any more alcohol - I actually forgot to, both times I made them. 

Drop by the tablespoonful onto a silicone pad or mold.  Insert a lollipop stick after each one, turning the stick so that it's covered in candy syrup. This recipe makes about 20 lollipops depending on the size of your spoon drop.

                                                                           
Don't know what happened here with that odd shape


Let the lollipops cool completely until they are hard. *Be careful when removing from the silicone pad.  Mine stuck (suction) to my granite countertop and I had to first lift up the silicone and then remove the pop which was really easy to do.

Store between sheets of parchment paper in an air tight container. The flavor develops more if left for the next day. 

                                                         


 
As for adding the food color, I think the amount stated is too much.  I wanted blue lollipops for that red, white and blue effect so I added 1/4tsp of blue food coloring.
These were shaped a bit better

The pops were too dark, looking more like a dark green than blue  and they took on a funny taste even though I had made them the same way, only using a smaller pot. My son (33) said they tasted like cough syrup - yuk!!! 
Oh, and I ran out of sticks to make red lollipops.

For a more decorative look, you can wrap individually in plastic wrap or cellophane and seal with ribbon or twist ties and store in a cool, dry place.





To my surprise, these lollipops tasted better than a lot of hard candies. They have a subtle and intriguing flavor. One that I enjoyed sucking on. Lick, lick. Crunch, crunch!  Yummeeeeee!



                             The most sophisticated sucker ever!  


 Enjoy your Fourth!  I know I will!










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17 comments:

  1. Very cute idea! Thank you for sharing on Hickory Trail!

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  2. Ummmm..Gail...these are nothing short of awesome! I am so making these for Christmas this year! Can I link to you when I do?? I see tons of flavors every day at my job at the liquor store!! So cool!

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  3. Adopt me!! That's my kind of lolly! Yum :)

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  4. Clever!!! I love your little jars too.

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  5. This is a really good idea - I was curious to see how you would make them round like that. Guess I'm going to have to start making suckers (minus the booze) in preparation for my daughter's 1st birthday.

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  6. Oh I love this idea!! I haven't had a lollipop in ages, but I'll have to try making some rum ones for me! Yummm!

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  7. A great and yummy idea!
    I really like the weird shape one!

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  8. These are the best! Never have eaten a liquored lollipop-I am certain they are delicious!

    Thanks for sharing on the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT. And for the LINK back to BeBetsy. -xo

    Sharon and Denise
    Fashion | Food | Beauty | Out & About | Morning Coffee

    Follow us:
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  9. I would never had thought to make liquored lollipops! Such an original idea! Thanks for linking up with us at LOBS!

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  10. These are SO on my "must make" list!! Thanks for linking up with us at LOBS!!

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  11. I know how that weird one got in there - someone nipped at the vodka! Love this idea for all events.

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  12. Love it! Thanks for sharing with us #LOBS!

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  13. I HAVE to make these - what a fantastic idea - I'd have never thought of this in a million years!
    They would have made the perfect thank you gifts for Lindsay's shower!!!
    Off to pin - thanks for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  14. Now this is a lollipop I can get in to! Found you on the LOBS. Great treat!

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  15. Hmmm...These will make for a new slogan...instead of Don't Drink and Drive...it will be, Don't Lick and Drive! I might have to make me some of these!

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  16. You can use and manufacture Custom Candle Boxes by hiring our company and they will be custom made and your thoughts will be taken into consideration.

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  17. Thank You! Appreciate the occasional free pattern!! You are a great artist!

    Mini Tractor

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