Red, white, and blue Jello shots made with or without alcohol are a perfect patriotic party treat!
What Do You Need To Make Jello Shots?
Jello shots are made by pouring flavored gelatin into shot glasses - typically the plastic disposable kind. This recipe uses layers of red, white, and blue Jello, making them perfect for any patriotic gathering such as Memorial Day or the 4th of July!
Here's what you'll need:
- Shot Glasses: I bought this set from Amazon , they are perfectly sized at 1-ounce each and this recipe will allow you to fill about 60 of them. They're recyclable, too!
- Flavored Jello: You'll need two 3-ounce boxes of Jello powder: red and blue. Whatever flavors you can find of either of those colors will work well.
- Unflavored Gelatin & Sweetened Condensed Milk: The white layer is made by combining Knox gelatin with a can of sweetened condensed milk for a mild, sweetly-flavored middle layer.
- Alcohol: You do not have to make these Jello shots alcoholic - just follow the instructions in the recipe card for the non-alcoholic version. If you're feeling frisky and want to party, though, you can go to a liquor store and buy any kind of clear liquor you want.
- Decorations: You can leave these patriotic Jello shots plain - they're totally adorable as they are - or you can garnish them with whipped cream and sprinkles, a cherry, or some decorative patriotic toothpicks.
Set of 80 disposable shot glasses (find here)
What Kind Of Alcohol Can I Use?
If you choose to make alcoholic patriotic Jello shots, there are several options you can use, check out this Online Liquor store here for more info! Make things even more snazzy by using fun flavored liquor such as vanilla, coconut, caramel, and whipped cream.
Whatever you choose, make sure the alcohol is clear so that it doesn't muddy the colors in the layers.
- Vodka: The most common spirit used in Jello shots - a classic choice.
- Rum: White rum is another popular choice!
- Tequila: Another clear spirit that'll work great in this recipe.
How Long Do These Take To Make?
While the Jello layers are incredibly simple to make, this recipe will take some time from start to finish. The vast majority of that time is "hands off" while you wait for each layer to firm up in the refrigerator before pouring the next one.
To get clean, straight layers of Jello, you will want to give each layer ample time to fully set up before moving on to the next layer.
From start to finish, you'll need about 4 hours to complete this project - from the time you mix the first Jello flavor until you're ready to serve the shots.
Mueller Electric Kettle (find here)
Helpful Tip: Want to save time when boiling the water for the Jello? An electric kettle is awesome for that!!
Can Jello Shots Be Made In Advance?
Absolutely! Jello shots can be made 7-10 days in advance when stored in the refrigerator, though they'll take up a bit of room in your fridge if you need to store them for that long. The Jello will slowly lose its firm texture and begin to weep after a few days, so the quicker you eat it, the better!
I do not recommend freezing Jello shots. You'll find differing opinions about this across the Internet. Jello does not retain its texture once frozen and thawed, and the Jello would expand in the freezer and crack the shot glasses.
How Do You Eat Jello Shots?
Since many Jello shots recipes are alcoholic, the Jello in the shot is usually eaten all at once by loosening the Jello from the shot glass (using your finger or a spoon and then pouring it into your mouth (be sure to chew carefully!) The same technique can be applied to non-alcoholic shots as well.
As you can see in the photo above, you can also eat the Jello shots using little spoons. This is especially fun if you've topped the shots with whipped cream and want to serve them as a mini dessert instead of a party "beverage".
Mini Wooden Dessert Spoons (find here)
As always, if you choose to make the alcoholic version of these patriotic Jello shots, please drink responsibly.
Patriotic Jello Shots Recipe
Red, white, and blue layered Jello shots made with or without alcohol are an adorable patriotic party treat!
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: About 60 1 ounce shots 1x
Ingredients
Blue Layer
- 1 3-ounce box blue Jell-O
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water or ½ cup cold water + ½ cup cold vodka or other clear liquor
White Layer
- 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin (0.25 ounces each)
- ½ cup cold water + 1 ½ cups boiling water
Red Layer
- 1 3 ounce box red Jell-O
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water or ½ cup cold water + ½ cup cold vodka or other clear liquor
Optional toppings: whipped cream and patriotic sprinkles
Instructions
Before starting, clear out space in your refrigerator for a large baking sheet. On the counter, line up the shot glasses on the sheet.
Blue Layer
- Using a large glass measuring cup with a pour spout, add the blue Jello powder. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Add 1 cup cold water or cold vodka and water and stir. Pour into shot glasses until they are ⅓ full.
- Transfer tray to the refrigerator and chill for 1 to 1.5 hours or until firm. Rinse and dry measuring cup.
White Layer
- In the measuring cup, add both packets of unflavored gelatin and pour ½ cup cold water on top. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 ½ cups of boiling water, stir, and then add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until combined. Allow mixture to sit on the counter until it is barely warm to the touch so that it doesn't melt the blue Jello when you add it to the shot glasses.
- When the mixture has cooled, pour into shot glasses until they are ⅔ full. Return tray to the refrigerator. Chill for 1 to 1.5 hours until white layer is firm. Rinse and dry measuring cup.
Red Layer
- In the measuring cup, add the red Jello powder. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until the powder has dissolved.
- Add 1 cup cold water or cold vodka and water and stir. Allow mixture to sit on the counter until just warm or room temp.
- Pour mixture into the shot glasses, filling them all the way to the top. Transfer (carefully!) the tray to the fridge and chill for 1 to 1.5 hours until Jello is firm.
Decorate with whipped cream or sprinkles if desired. If using canned whipped cream, spray it on immediately before serving as it wilts very quickly (in minutes!)
Notes
These are the shot glasses I used: Set of 80 1-ounce shot glasses
Patriotic sprinkles: Red, White, and Blue Star Sprinkles
If you are making the alcoholic version of these shots, add some extra fun by using flavored vodka! You can also use rum or tequila.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours (chill time in fridge)
- Method: No Bake
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