Starburst Jelly Bean Cocktail

Step 1: Buy a bag of Starburst jelly beans, several weeks before Easter, in the seasonal candy aisle at the grocery store, intending to turn it into jelly bean liqueur. 

Step 2: Put recently-purchased bag of jelly beans into the pantry & promptly forget about it for a week or two. 

Step 3: Re-discover jelly beans & remember intended liqueur & cocktail blog post.  

Step 4: Separate all the jelly beans into their separate colors. 

Step 5: Slowly begin snacking on aforementioned separated jelly beans, over several days, after procrastinating buying necessary cocktail ingredients (i.e. vodka). 

Step 6: Buy a second bag of Starburst jelly beans, because you seem to have nearly eaten all the batch.... 

Step 7: Repeat step 4…. 

Step 8: Add vodka to two mason jars with selected jelly beans (pink and orange; yellow and purple). Cover & let sit for a minimum of 24 hrs. Shake every so often.  

Step 9: Discover that yellow and purple Starburst jelly beans may taste really good together (actually, my favorite combo), but together they turn into a most terrible color, which you decide not to photograph.....   

Step 10: After 24 hours (or more), strain vodka into a decanter. If your prefer, se a damp coffee filter to line the strainer (to strain out any jelly bean sediment). 

Step 11: Mix jelly bean liqueur with club soda, a little simple syrup, and ice. 

Step 12: Enjoy immediately!  

Starburst jelly beans are one of my all-time favorite Easter candies (see step 5) and I’ve been thinking about making jelly bean cocktails since last Easter.  I know, Easter is less than 2 days away--I’m a little late in posting this idea (see step 2)--but, you’ve still got time!  Hurry and buy the ingredients immediately :) 

Starburst Jelly Bean Liqueur 

This recipe is more guidelines than anything.  Could be easily doubled (or reduced) if necessary. 

1/4 c Starburst jelly beans

1 c Vodka (don’t go with the high quality stuff, but do check to make sure it is GF, if necessary. I used Smirnoff, because it was the cheapest GF option I could find.) 

1. In a mason jar (or other jar with a lid). Combine the jelly beans and vodka. Cover and shake. 
2. Allow to sit, at room temperature, for at least 24 hrs. Shake occasionally. 
3. After 24 hrs, strain into a separate jar. Line the strainer with a damp coffee filter, if you prefer al the sediment strained out. Note: the jelly beans may not be entirely dissolved, but that’s ok. 
4. Store liqueur in the refrigerator, until ready to use. 

Jelly Bean Cocktail

again, mostly guidelines....  

1 part Starburst Jelly Bean liqueur 

2 parts club soda (or substitute lemon-lime soda, if prefer a sweeter cocktail)

Ice

Simple syrup, to taste

1. Mix together the liqueur with the club soda and ice. 
2. Taste.  Add simple syrup to your own sweetness preference.
3. Enjoy immediately.