The words “Jell-O shot” stir up fond memories for me. I loved slurping up those colorful, vodka- infused gelatins, sometimes topped with a squirt of whipped cream.
Now Marukai Wholesale Mart in Kalihi carries a more sophisticated version of those shots: Ikezo Sparkling Jelly Sake in peach, yuzu and berry flavors. Each 6.1-ounce canned drink contains 5.5 percent alcohol and bits of gelatin. The alcohol taste is masked by the bubbly and delicious flavors, just as the lime and strawberry Jell-O disguised the vodka in those back-in-the-day plastic fun cups.
Producer Ozeko Corp. has been making sake since 1711, and in 2001 opened Sekijuan, a confectionery shop in Japan which uses sake in its sweets. The drink is a perfect marriage of sake and sweet jelly.
The cans sell for $2.50 to $2.80.
While we’re on the topic of alcohol, RSVP Skinnies has created zero-calorie powdered cocktail mixers that can be poured into a glass of liquor to create a cosmo, mai tai, Baja margarita or gimlet.
RSVP boasts that the mixers are entirely plant-based, with no artificial flavorings and sweetened with Stevia. You can control the strength of the drink by deciding how much vodka, rum, tequila or gin to use as your base.
Each Skinnies flavor comes with six packets per box. Prices range from $13 for a two-box variety pack to $24 for four boxes of the gimlet or mai tai at rsvpskinnies.com or amazon.com. The RSVP site offers free shipping, even to Hawaii.
And, as always, drink responsibly.
— Michelle Ramos, Star-Advertiser
Chef Yamaguchi sets 2 grand opening galas
For a sparkling celebrity quotient, how’s this: Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler (pictured), retired Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson, reggae artist Marty Dread, producer Shep Gordon. Not to mention chef Roy Yamaguchi, who’s in charge of the food.
They’ll all be among celebrity hosts at Yamaguchi’s Humble Market Kitchin on Maui at a grand-opening party 6:30 p.m. April 27.
Cost is $150, to benefit the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Call 879-4655. The restaurant is in the Wailea Beach Resort Marriott in Kihei.
The night before, Yamaguchi will celebrate the grand opening of his other new restaurant, Eating House 1849 in Kapolei.
A three-course dinner with specialty cocktails, at 6 p.m. April 26, will feature dishes by Yamaguchi and Eating House chefs Randy Bangloy (Kapolei), Mike Leslie (Waikiki) and Clinton Nuyda (Kauai). Cost is $100, to benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Call 447-1849 or email eh1849kapolei@royshawaii.com.
— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser
