Convention Preparations Volume One: Jell-O Shots

Want a good example of what can happen when you're not properly prepared for a convention? You stay up until four o'clock in the morning trying to get everything done, get about three hours of sleep before your five hour drive, and completely forget to post your blog entry due on convention preparations. True story.

For those of you who are either too young or too naïve to know, a lot of drinking goes on at cons. Yes, yes, I know that almost every convention rulebook (well, anime conventions, that is) says something about drinking being not allowed. If you really think that stops the attendees—and staff, don’t let them fool you—you’re an idiot. Cons are a many splendored and yet stressful thing, and a greater portion of the OF AGE population sees fit to partake in some tasty beverages with un-foretold side effects.

Myself included.

Now, I am in no way saying that alcohol is necessary to have a good time at a con. By all means, if you can have a blast and stay sober, more power to you, but for those of us that grab a party opportunity by the balls when we see one, you can’t walk into this sort of thing unprepared.

Before I continue and inevitably get people ripping into me about irresponsibility, let me happily state that I, in no way, encourage underage drinking or anything of the sort. In fact, for the last year, I’ve hosted a panel at several conventions entitled A Parent’s Guide to Convention Safety which details the many dangers to kids at cons—parties where no one cards thoroughly included. I take kids to cons, and I’m not about to go around promoting the idea that they should do as I do.

That being stated, I made a very interesting discovery when I branched out from anime and gaming cons and into the world of sci-fi. You see, anime conventions turn a semi-blind eye to partying so long as it’s relatively under control and kept out of sight in hotel rooms. Sci-fi cons list it in their programs.

That’s right, in the programs.

Geek Media Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, was my first sci-fi/multifandom convention. I went to support a friend in his first convention appearance (as a guest, no less. Silly 3D people.), and was completely unprepared for what I got myself into. First off, the hotel atrium that GMX utilized for their Main Events has a stage in the front, a pool in the back, and—get this—a bar right between the pool and the back row of seating. It was love at first sight.

For two nights at GMX, I found myself dancing to a DJ’s beat in the “Con Suite,” which was the hotel room listed on the schedule as the location for the featured room parties. Friday night was hosted by the Browncoats (a Firefly fan group for those of you not in the know), and Saturday was hosted by the 501^st Legion MidSouth Garrison. Several members of the MidSouth have become very dear to me since that first foray into the sci-fi convention lifestyle.

However, GMX was merely a scratch on the surface compared to ConNooga. Not only were room parties featured at the Chattanooga convention, they were entrants in a competition. People set up parties in a specific building of the hotel (building three, if you’re curious), and entered themselves in a contest to see who could throw the best one. The entire first floor was open bars and a myriad of themes. I was rooming with a couple of Stormtrooper buddies on the very top floor of that building. We had the perfect view.

Now, before ConNooga was over, one of said stormtrooper buddies, Steven, informed me that ConNooga was nothing compared to Chattacon, which I had missed due to Ohayocon the month before. As it so happens, for 2011 I planned well enough that I’m going to be attending both Chattacon and Ohayocon. Chatta comes first, starting tomorrow whenever the boyfriend and I make it to Chattanooga.

So, now that the appropriate set-up rant is over, on to the main subject: preparing for a con of awesome debauchery.

If you are sharing a hotel room that someone else has booked and, thus, sharing in their stock of booze for the weekend, it is simply good manners to bring something to share with them. That is why, as I did for ConNooga last year, I am preparing a happy box full of jell-o shots to take with me. Jell-o shots are a fairly simple party favor that take very little effort to pull off well and will disappear faster than you can say Tatooine.

However, if you’re thinking of jell-o shots that are kinda runny and have all the kick of a Smirnoff Ice, you’re reading the wrong blog. I’ve taken these things to several conventions and just as many parties with nothing less than rave reviews. Why? My jell-o shots are actual, firm jell-o in resealable individual containers that kick like a mule. I even have a personal listing of flavors that I posted to a Facebook note where I take requests from my con friends.

What’s the secret?

Glad you asked. There isn’t one. At least, I wouldn’t consider finding just the right internet site to be a secret. Hop on over to DrinkStreet’s Jell-O Shot page. See that little chart just under the second subheading? That’s the key. Jell-O shots get runny if the alcohol to water ratio isn’t just right.

We’ll do a little walkthrough to get you on the right path. For Chattacon, Steven requested my Grimace and Slime flavor recipes. These are both really simple recipes that take next to no effort. Grimace is grape jell-o and vodka while Slime is PGA (pure grain alcohol, Everclear) with lime.

The first thing we do is gather our materials. I like to use Solo condiment cups and lids for the shots. The stiff plastic means they can’t be turned inside out, but they’re stackable and easy to transport. Plus, you don’t have to worry about them flipping over and spilling in the fridge—especially if you have a naughty demon-cat that likes to crawl onto the most spacious shelf while you’re grabbing a soda.

Each 6-ounce package of jell-o is good for about thirty-five shots using the smallest cups. If you’re going for larger shots, you definitely want a lot more jell-o. Thankfully, it’s cheap. Also, there really isn’t much difference between generic and name brand. A lot of people say that the flavor isn’t as full with generics, but it’ll still set up fine.

Before you start boiling any water, measure out the portions of alcohol and cold water according to the chart on DrinkStreet into separate cups. This makes it a lot easier to mix. Then start the boiling. I usually just use a tea kettle and measure with a class measuring cup. While the water comes to a boil, get your jell-o powder poured into the bowl you're using to mix.

Now, once you've got scalding hot water measured out and added to the mixture, make sure to mix it thoroughly. Not getting the gelatin completely dissolved can make the shots taste chalky. Then, add the cold water first. Adding alcohol to still-boiling water and jell-o will lower your proof. When you get all of the cold water in and give it a few stirs, carefully stir in your booze. Beware the fumes rising off the bowl. Smelling it is almost enough to give lightweights a bit of a buzz when using stronger proofs--I know, I proved it on my roommate.

Once you've got all that done, just pour into cups, add a lid, and pop them in the fridge. Easy as pie!