This Jello shots recipe contains fruit flavored gelatin and vodka, which are mixed together, poured into cups, then chilled until firm. A fun and festive addition to any party!
Whenever I’m hosting a gathering, I make sure to have plenty of options for the adults, including champagne punch , pineapple punch (just add rum!) and these super easy Jello shots.
Jello shots have been a classic party offering for decades, and for good reason. They’re colorful, easy to make, and taste great. I like to use a variety of colors as pictured here to make a rainbow of shots that no one can resist.
These drinks are perfect with party appetizer recipes like bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers , pigs in a blanket and bacon deviled eggs .
- Jello Shots Ingredients
- How Do You Make Jello Shots?
- Tips For The Perfect Shots
- Quick Tip
- Recipe FAQs
- Flavor Variations
- How Do I make Jello Shots With Two Colors?
- Holiday Jello Shots
- Party Snacks To Pair With Jello Shots
- Love This Recipe?
- Jello Shots Recipe
Jello Shots Ingredients
To make Jello shots you will need just three ingredients: Jello mix, water and vodka.
How Do You Make Jello Shots?
Jello shots are just Jello made with a kick. To make this Jello shots recipe, first boil water in a saucepan and pour it in a mixing bowl with your favorite Jello flavor. Whisk the Jello powder to make sure it dissolves in the hot water. Whisk in cold water and vodka and then stir until well combined. The mixture is now ready to pour into shot glasses or containers. The shots chill in the refrigerator until they are firm and ready to serve.
Tips For The Perfect Shots
- Place your shot glasses or containers on a sheet pan before placing the Jello mixture in the glasses or containers. This makes it easy to place the sheet pan with all the Jello shots in the refrigerator.
- To pour the Jello evenly into the cups, try using a turkey baster to suction the liquid and place it in the containers. You can also use a measuring spoon.
- Try making several flavors of Jello shots for a variety that will please all of your guests such as raspberry, strawberry, lemon, lime, orange, grape and berry blue.
- You can also pour the Jello in a baking pan to cool and then cut out small squares instead of using individual cups.
- To make the gelatin shots not stick , you can put a little cooking spray on the inside of your cups. Simply spray a paper towel and wipe the inside of the cups with the cooking spray.
Quick Tip
The shot cups shown in the photo are 2 ounce disposable containers. They can be purchased online or in stores like Target.
If you have a plastic container, run a dull knife or your finger around the inside edge of the container to remove the Jello. If you use shot glasses made of glass, make sure you have little spoons to remove the Jello from the glass. Break the shots up and don’t try to swallow them all at once; you don’t want to choke on them. As with all alcohol, consume the shots responsibly.
These shots take about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours to firm up, depending on the size of the shots. If you take the shots out of your refrigerator and they are still liquid, place them back in the refrigerator. They will set faster in the freezer, just watch out so that you do not get harder “frozen” shots, unless you’re looking to actually make frozen shots.
You can freeze the shots. They get colder and more firm than shots in a refrigerator but they do not freeze solid. The texture can get a little grainy or icy. You can eat them straight out of the freezer if you don’t mind the cold. Make sure to store them in an airtight container.
Jello shots don’t last long outside of the refrigerator. They melt faster in warmer temperatures. You should plan to consume or refrigerate the shots within 30 – 45 minutes.
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Flavor Variations
There are many ways to customize your gelatin shots to make them fun for any type of gathering.
- Vodka: While standard vodka is a classic ingredient, you can use flavored vodkas like watermelon vodka, vanilla vodka, peach vodka, strawberry vodka or apple vodka.
- Liquor: Try making shots with liquors like tequila, whiskey, gin, peach schnapps, white rum or coconut rum. You could even make margarita Jello shots with white tequila, lime juice and triple sec.
- Whipped Cream: Finish your shots with sprinkles or a squirt of whipped cream.
- Fruit: You can top your Jello shots with bite sized fruit like pitted cherries, blueberries or raspberries.
How Do I make Jello Shots With Two Colors?
To make shots with two or more colors, simply use a 2 ounce shot glass and mix together the water, vodka and Jello mix for your first color. Pour the first color in your Jello shot cups and let the first layer chill and harden in the fridge for at least 1 1/2 hours. I recommend putting your darker colored Jello on the bottom. Next mix up the second color of Jello and carefully pour it on the first layer. After the shots chill again in the refrigerator you will have a 2 layer shot. Repeat for more layers.
Holiday Jello Shots
You can make Jell-o shots for any occasion, like Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day or the 4th of July. Simply change up the colors or make shots with more layers. I like the following colors:
- Christmas: I like 2 layer Red strawberry Jello and green lime Jello shots.
- Halloween: I make Jello shots with orange Jello and purple grape Jello.
- Valentine’s Day: Cherry, raspberry and strawberry all have great colors.
- 4th of July: I make 2 layer shots with red strawberry and berry blue Jello. Alternatively, watermelon Jello works well for the summer.
These Jello shots are an easy and fun addition to any party or get-together. I love making shots with different colors and flavors for all tastes. Give them a try at your next event.
Party Snacks To Pair With Jello Shots
Cheese Ball Recipe
16 mins
Rotel Dip with Beef
20 mins
Potato Skins Recipe
1 hr 45 mins
Hot Spinach Dip
30 mins
Baked Chicken Wings
55 mins
Love This Recipe?
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 ounce box Jello pick your favorite flavor
- ▢ 1 1/2 cups water divided use
- ▢ 1/2 cup vodka
Instructions
- Heat one cup of water until it’s boiling.
- Pour the boiling water into a bowl containing your Jello powder and whisk the mixture until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Pour in 1/2 cup cold water and whisk until combined.
- Pour in the vodka and whisk until thoroughly blended.
- Pour the Jello mixture into plastic shot cups, glasses or a small baking dish.
- Refrigerate the Jello shots for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours until they are firm, then serve. Store any leftover shots in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Place your shot glasses or containers on a sheet pan before placing the Jello mixture in the glasses or containers. This makes it easy to place the sheet pan with all the Jello shots in the refrigerator.
- To pour the Jello evenly into the cups, try using a turkey baster to suction the liquid and place it in the containers. You can also use a measuring spoon.
Nutrition
Jello Shots
Ingredients
- 3 ounce box Jello pick your favorite flavor
- 1 1/2 cups water divided use
- 1/2 cup vodka
Instructions
- Heat one cup of water until it’s boiling.
- Pour the boiling water into a bowl containing your Jello powder and whisk the mixture until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Pour in 1/2 cup cold water and whisk until combined.
- Pour in the vodka and whisk until thoroughly blended.
- Pour the Jello mixture into plastic shot cups, glasses or a small baking dish.
- Refrigerate the Jello shots for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours until they are firm, then serve. Store any leftover shots in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Place your shot glasses or containers on a sheet pan before placing the Jello mixture in the glasses or containers. This makes it easy to place the sheet pan with all the Jello shots in the refrigerator.
- To pour the Jello evenly into the cups, try using a turkey baster to suction the liquid and place it in the containers. You can also use a measuring spoon.
