Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters

Rich and creamy panna cotta is layered with grenadine syrup and citrusy blue curaçao for a sparkling red, white, and blue dessert. Serve these Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters for Memorial Day or July Fourth holidays.

Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters
Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters

This year has been a blur. A dream. I blinked and found myself here: third day of summer, nearly July. Did I really write a book? I must have. Did I really go to New York and get chatty about it with strangers? Signs point to yes. And there’s yet another great thing happening for the book  – which I will reveal very soon.  Right now life seems very surreal and it’s moving so quickly!

It’ll happen again. I’ll blink and we’ll be lighting sparklers and watching a night sky filled with fireworks. With that in mind, getting a jump-start on July 4th treats seems like a good idea!

Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters

These little dessert shooters are part panna cotta, part fruity cocktail.  The bottom layer is a sweet red grenadine syrup. The next layer is a tropical-tasting coconut panna cotta and then a little blue curaçao (orange liqueur) gets poured on top. And my favorite part? You guessed it. Those little edible confetti stars. You can usually find them where Wilton products are sold, but here’s a link if you’re looking to purchase online.

Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters

I just love these for Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters for July Fourth. They are a low lift dessert with major payoff! If you’re serving these to kids, blue Kool-Aid can be used as a substitute for boozy blue curaçao. They are cold and refreshing on a hot July day, and throughout the summer months when temperatures soar.

Here’s another favorite in red, white, and blue for those celebrating with sweets!

Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters

Heather Baird
Technically the 3 oz. size I made is a little large for a “shooter” so I served mine with a small dessert spoon. But feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your purpose. If you’re serving these to kiddos, blue kool-aid or fruit-flavored blue gelatin would be a nice stand-in for the curaçao.
5 from 1 vote
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • 3 oz. shot glasses, 6

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 oz. grenadine syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. powdered gelatin
  • 1 tbsp. cold water
  • 1 cup lite coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 3 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. coconut extract
  • 3 oz. blue curaçao
  • Wilton gold star edible glitter or other star-shaped sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Pour 1 oz. of grenadine into six 3 oz. clear glasses. Freeze grenadine solid, and keep glasses stored in freezer until panna cotta portion is ready.
  • In a small condiment cup, sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the cold water and let stand until absorbed. Set aside.
  • Combine the coconut milk, half and half and sugar in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until just boiling.
  • Microwave the gelatin mixture for 7-10 seconds, until melted and liquid. Remove the milk mixture from heat source and whisk in melted gelatin. Add coconut extract. Allow mixture to cool significantly.
  • Remove glasses of frozen grenadine from freezer and very slowly pour in 2 oz. of cooled coconut panna cotta into each glass. A little red from the grenadine may bleed into the white panna cotta, but as it stands the red should settle back down to the bottom. Refrigerate glasses until panna cotta is set and grenadine layer has completely thawed. Just before serving pour over 1/2 oz. blue curaçao and sprinkle with edible star glitter.

Notes

These can be made 1 day ahead, but the stars should be sprinkled on just before serving. They will completely dissolve after about 30 minutes of floating in the blue curaçao.
Keyword blue curacao liqueur, coconut milk, grenadine, half and half
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
11 years ago

I love these! So beautiful.

cookies and cups
cookies and cups
11 years ago

Those little star sprinkles are the cutest!!
I've never had panna cotta… I kinda think I would love it!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

This makes me happy! I still haven't tried panna cotta. What is wrong with me?! I need to get on this train asap!

Emma
Emma
11 years ago

Edible stars, where have you been my whole life? 🙂

Julie
Julie
11 years ago

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous 🙂

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
11 years ago

OK the stars are adorable, and i LOVE how everything is so crisp and clean!

Rachel Cooks
Rachel Cooks
11 years ago

These are so fun and so perfectly beautiful! Love them!

Cookbook Queen
Cookbook Queen
11 years ago

These are beyond beautiful. LOVE the contrast!!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
11 years ago

So pretty! A wonderful 4th of July dessert.

Cheers,

Rosa

Tartlet Sweets
Tartlet Sweets
11 years ago

So cute and festive!!

Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry
Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry
11 years ago

Stunning! These look so fun and festive!

Christina Marie
Christina Marie
11 years ago

I love that you topped these off with patriotic stars! So fun!

Come check out a fun giveaway I'm having.
http://www.becauseofmadalene.com/2012/06/perfect-giveaway.html

Christina

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

These are so fun!

Dasha Crawford
Dasha Crawford
11 years ago

These are adorable!!!

Averie @ Averie Cooks
Averie @ Averie Cooks
11 years ago

I'm ready for the Holiday after looking at these!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Another completely adorable post – those tiny stars are the perfect finishing touch!

Angelyn
Angelyn
11 years ago

These are stunning! Love those little stars.

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
11 years ago

I adore the sprinkles! These are perfect Heather.

Val @ Mental Chew
Val @ Mental Chew
11 years ago

Love these! I can't wait to bring them to our annual 4th of July get together!!!

Anne
Anne
11 years ago

Beautiful – and so patriotic!

Val @ Tips on Healthy Living
Val @ Tips on Healthy Living
11 years ago

These are the coolest things I've ever seen! Definitely the most sophisticated "shooters" ever. Can't believe it's nearly July 4th!

Heather
Heather
11 years ago

What a great idea! THANK YOU for not doing jello! Can't wait to hear the upcoming news! Good things happen to good people 😉

Karrie
Karrie
11 years ago

Wish I'd seen this before the Jubilee – LOVE the red, white and blue … not sure what I'd exchange for the pretty stars though for UK!

Gina Stanley
Gina Stanley
11 years ago

I can't get over those adorable stars. I have to get some. I'm a sucker for fourth of july desserts and panna cotta, these would be for me. I have to go see Marla about your book. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
-Gina-

Chloe@EveryCraving
Chloe@EveryCraving
11 years ago

Wow, these are absolutely beautiful! Maybe literally too pretty to eat haha. This is such a creative and festive idea!

Riley
Riley
11 years ago

These are so pretty! I can't wait to make these for the 4th.

Lynna
Lynna
11 years ago

ADORABLE!! These look seriously wonderful!

Sue
Sue
11 years ago

The shiny stars are amaziing! You always know how to make everything special:)

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

so cute and festive!

Jo
Jo
11 years ago

This looks delicious and your pictures are amazing. Would love for you to share your photos with us at foodepix.com.

Velva
Velva
11 years ago

Yes, time flies just that fast…in a blink of an eye.

Congratulations to you with all the great things happening to you.

Velva

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

oh my gosh those are so cute!!!!!! perfect for the 4th! love it

Jacquee
Jacquee
11 years ago

I LOVE everything about this dessert, including your photos, which are just stunning!!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

LOved it…loved the snaps too…..

Aurelia
Aurelia
11 years ago

This is so beautiful, loooks really perfect. And I love Panna Cotta!!

Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik
11 years ago

These are perfection. Love it. I want one right now.

Julia @The Roasted Root
Julia @The Roasted Root
11 years ago

WOW! These are so vibrant and beautiful! I love how festive they are and my whole family would just eat them right up!

Lora
Lora
11 years ago

How festive. I love the blue curacao on top.

Ashley - Baker by Nature
Ashley - Baker by Nature
11 years ago

This looks incredible! I just got your book in the mail as an early birthday gift and spent the last two nights cuddled up with it – truly amazing. I can't wait to see what you've got coming next!

Bellenza Wedding Bistro
Bellenza Wedding Bistro
11 years ago

So perfect for the 4th! And fabulous photography, too!

Sues
Sues
11 years ago

I agree about this year! Wasn't it just New Year's Day??

These are beautiful and so perfectly patriotic! I'm not a big fan of Blue Curucao, but when it comes to getting that vibrant blue color, it's the best!

rchanmow
rchanmow
11 years ago

looks good. i'm more curious as to how they would taste? anybody else try to make these yet? would really like to know if it taste as good as it looks…

Deb
Deb
11 years ago

Wondrous little cups of celebration! Adore the sparkly stars on the shiny blue background. A smashing idea for our nations holiday!

SweetSugarBelle
SweetSugarBelle
11 years ago

I see your posts and think, Oh, GAWSH she's amazing!

Lili
Lili
11 years ago

What beautiful and exquisite creations for the 4th!!! xo ~Lili

Kira
Kira
11 years ago

I am trying to make these right now, and the grenadine is NOT FREEZING! It's been in the freezer since this morning! Can anyone help me? Heather?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

Oh no! Okay. If the grenadine won't freeze, then you can try pouring the panna cotta into the glasses – very slowly – over the back of a spoon. You can expect the panna cotta to mix a little with the grenadine, but it should settle into layers. Bartenders call this technique "floating" and you can read more about it here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Float_(bartending_technique) And here's someone who made an shot similar but with bailey's irish cream instead of panna cotta http://www.savoryreviews.com/2010/06/30/red-white-and-blue-shooter/ It might be good if you could wait until morning to see if the grenadine freezer. Sorry you're having a… Read more »

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

*freezes, I mean.

kjn
kjn
11 years ago

Thank you for posting this recipe. I just made 24 of these for a family picnic tomorrow. I also had issues with my grenadine freezing but your spoon trick worked like a charm. I can't wait to present these tomorrow at the picnic!

Miss M
Miss M
11 years ago

Oh so elegant!! Can't wait to set this out on my 4th of July party!

If you make these a day ahead, do you still need to wait to top with blue curacao? Can it freeze as well, and then just add stars later?

Also, do you serve this with a spoon or a straw?