Horror movies or anything remotely scary—especially body horrors—are not my thing, so when it came to The Substance, I was more than reluctant to watch it. What I do love though, are actresses Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, so while I may have skipped over more scenes I’d like to admit, I did watch enough to understand what the substance is (aka, a green liquid the Demi Moore’s character injects into herself).
In the movie, Demi Moore uses it as an anti-aging treatment, which promises women a way to regain their youth and “perfection.” It’s marketed as a new and revolutionary solution for aging, but instead of just refreshing the body, the substance creates a younger, idealized version of the person, while leaving their original self behind. While more than mildly disturbing, the concept is a nod to industry beauty standards, aging, and the pressure to stay “relevant” in a world that’s obsessed with youth.
Even if horror might isn’t your thing either, chances are if you’re reading this, you’ll be watching the Oscars. To liven up your watch party, I created a recipe for vibrantly green, vial-inspired, Midori sour, Substance shots in honor of not only the nomination, but the actresses themselves.
Photo by Nea Arentzen
You can find a more detailed step-by-step list here, but the recipe is as simple as any other Jell-O shot you might’ve made before. Full disclosure, the flavor was inspired by the Midori Sour shots by Solid Wiggles, a NYC business that makes the most artistic Jell-O I ever did see.
For this recipe, here is what you’ll need:
• Unflavored gelatin (powdered)
• Vodka
• Midori liquor
• Lime juice
• Lemon juice
• Food coloring (optional)
The steps are no less complicated, and as long as you allow plenty of chilling time, they should be a big hit.
What else are you planning to make for your Oscars watch party? Let me know in the comments!
