Want to give your party an elegant twist? Learn how to make jello shots and dazzle your guests with colorful edible cocktails with me today!
Bright colors and a heavenly taste served in lovely glasses are a proven recipe for a good time! Most people (including myself) love cocktails, but if you are not a professional bartender, making them can be a lot of work.
If you don’t have the expertise of a professional bartender, jello shots can be a great substitute. Making this tasty delicacy is simple, and the only flavor restrictions are those of your creativity.
Once you master making jello shots, you can experiment with different recipes to make your party special and authentic.
If you follow my advice, you’ll enjoy your amazing party just as much as the attendees.
Let’s get started right away!
How to make jello shots?
This recipe is the base of every future jello shots you’ll make, so be sure to follow it with precision. Once you learn this method, you’ll have solid ground for all your ideas and creativity! Or you can leave it traditional as it is.
You’ll need:
- One 3-ounce gelatin package
- One cup of boiling water
- Half a cup of vodka
- Half a cup of cold water
- Hand mixer or whisk
- A large mixing bowl
- 12 – 16 2 oz. shot glasses
Directions:
- Empty the gelatin package into a large mixing bowl and add half a cup of boiling water. Whisk it for two minutes or until gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Add half a cup of cold water and a half cup of vodka and stir it together until it is homogeneously.
- Pour mixture into shot glasses for up to three quarters and align them on a cookie sheet. Place the sheet in the fridge for at least three hours or until set.
Depending on the temperature of your fridge, it can take more or less time to be set, so if you are making them for the first time, be careful. Jello shots should be cold when served!
Flavored alcohol jello shots – A classic with a modern twist!
How to resist the abundance of gelatin flavors combined with vodka? Making jello shots with straight vodka is a classic, but you can add flavored ones and give them a new and fresh taste. The same goes for gelatin.
By choosing flavored vodka or/and gelatin, you will not only enjoy your preferred tastes, but you can also enjoy them visually – because most of the flavored gelatins have delightful colors as well.
The procedure of making these modern classics stays true to its roots – follow the recipe I gave you, replacing vodka and/or gelatin with a flavored version of your choosing.
I will share some of my favorite vodka jello shot combos:
- Lemon-flavored vodka with mint gelatin can be very refreshing on summer nights.
- Pineapple-flavored vodka with strawberry gelatin – for a sweet and tropical taste!
- Berry-flavored vodka with chocolate jello – chocolate works well with the sourness of berries.
- Whipped cream-flavored vodka with strawberry gelatin – ideal for romantic nights!
If you are not a fan of vodka, you can make jello shots with tequila, rum, or gin!
How to make jello shots like a pro – cocktail splash!
With a little effort and some proven recipes, you can have an art poured in a shot glass – cocktail jello shots!
Because of their vivid colors and intense taste, these drinks will be, without a doubt, the heart of your gatherings! Let’s learn how to astonish your guests with easy but stunning cocktail jello shots.
To be sure that all your guests are pleased, make shots that are universally liked. You can’t make a mistake if you go for these classic and familiar cocktails:
1. Tequila sunrise
You’ll need:
- one 3-ounce of orange gelatin
- 4 oz. of tequila
- 8 oz. of boiling water
- 12- 16 2 oz. shot glasses
- orange juice (optional)
- slices of orange ( optional)
Directions:
- Add gelatin into the boiling water and stir until gelatin dissolves completely. Let it cool down for about a minute or two then add tequila and stir until it is combined.
- You can add a splash of orange juice to boost the taste and get an intense color.
- Pour the mixture into shot glasses and refrigerate them for about two hours or until set.
If you want to garnish your cocktails, cut slices of orange into small pieces and place them on the edge of the glasses. Use garnish after shots are cooled and set.
3. Cuba Libre
You’ll need:
- one 3-ounce cherry or unflavored gelatin (if you like Cherry Cuba Libre go for cherry-flavored gelatin)
- 2 cups of Coke (one boiling, one cold)
- Half a cup of white rum
- 12- 16 2 oz. shot glasses
- Lemon slices (optional)
Directions:
- Use a small pot to boil one cup of Coke, add gelatin and stir until you no longer see bubbles from the cola’s carbonation in your gelatin mixture; this will take about 2 to 5 minutes.
- Add one cup of cold Coke and white rum and stir until all of the parts are incorporated.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool down to room temperature (about 15 minutes), then pour it into glasses and put it in the fridge for about 3 hours.
Before you serve them, you can use chopped lemon slices to garnish them.
You can use diet Coke instead of the regular one – the procedure stays the same.
2. Pina Colada
You’ll need:
- one 3-ounce pineapple gelatin
- one cup of pineapple juice
- one cup of white rum with coconut flavor
- 12- 16 2 oz. shot glasses
- Pineapple wedges (optional)
Directions:
- Pour pineapple juice into a medium-sized saucepan and heat it for about 5 minutes at medium temperature. It needs to be hot but not boiling.
- Open gelatin and place it in a bowl. Pour hot pineapple juice into the bowl with gelatin and whisk until it dissolves.
- Add rum and stir it well, until the mixture gets even.
- Pour it in shot glasses and set them in the fridge for about two hours.
You can decorate shots after they are cooled and set, with fresh pineapple wedges.
How to make eye-catching layered jello shots
Preparing layered jello shots takes more time than making a regular one, but once you see the dreamy outcome, you’ll be glad you invested additional effort.
You can make layers as much as you want. The only limitation is your imagination and the size of the cups.
Plan making these shots ahead, because making layers means you’ll need to wait for each layer to set before you add a new one.
Directions:
- Prepare jello shots in a method of your choosing. To avoid any mistakes follow the recipe precisely.
- Pour mixture in shot glasses up to the desired level – the amount of poured mixture depends on how much you want layers to be thick.
- Leave shots in the fridge for about 2 hours or until they set. Touch the shots, and if they are not sticky on top proceed with another layer.
- Proceed with another layer – choose a different recipe or different flavors and repeat the whole procedure. You can redo these steps as much as you want.
Keep in mind that you’ll need more glasses or less mixture. If you decide to take fewer amount of jello shots adjust the recipe I gave you as precisely as possible.
Use transparent glasses to emphasize the beautiful colors of the layers and all your effort.
How to serve jello shots – three ways to do it!
An essential part of every drink or food is how you serve it. Serving your jello shots depends on the occasion and what you think is the most convenient for your guests.
These are my recommendations:
1. Cups
- You can use paper, glass or plastic ones. If you are having a party outdoors, I recommend plastic or paper ones.
- You can easily throw them in the trash and they usually come with lids. That can be very handy especially if you need to move them from place to place.
- In that case, garnish the shots just before serving them – it gives them a fresh look!
2. Molds
- You can use plastic or silicone molds for candy or chocolate. Silicone molds are more flexible so it might be easier. Find the right size – you don’t want them to be too big or too small. One bite – one jello shot.
- Preparing and pouring stay the same, but if you need to move your shots, consider leaving them in molds.
- This way they will not lose their shape; you can place them in a bowl or on a plate just before serving them.
3. Cookie cutter method
- Prepare the jello shots mixture and pour it into a baking pan. Leave it in the fridge to set and use a cookie cutter to form a diversity of shapes, just as you would use it on cookie dough.
- The size of the cookie-cutter should be medium or small.
- This way of serving jello shots, if you transfer them may cause trouble. If you shake them or expose them to variable temperatures, they can lose their shape and texture.
Jello Shots – Additional tips
If I have a party at my house, there will be lots of kids roaming around. I like to surprise my youngest visitor with mocktails made of jello.
Kids would be entertained if you made jello and poured it into shot glasses. My kids are, I’m sure of it!
I usually prefer to provide more food and beverages than I need, so I frequently have leftovers.
Don’t freeze the leftover jello shots if you experience the same issue after your party because doing so can alter their texture.
You’ll throw a classy and distinctive party using these recipes and your imagination.
After learning how to make jello shots, use your creativity to combine flavors and colors.
Try several approaches to serve them, and don’t be afraid to share your experiences! New recipes are always welcome to me:)