How To Make Jello Shots

Looking for a fun, easy, and fruity cocktail for parties? These shots are made with Jell-O or gelatin and alcohol! This is the Ultimate Guide for How To Make Jello Shots where I’ll share tips, ideas, and some of my favorite recipes!

There are so many flavor and color possibilities when it comes to these gelatin cocktails! If you’re planning a party for a special occasion, try these Champagne or Halloween Jello Shots recipes!

The flavor possibilities are endless and they’re super easy to make!

Jello Shots have been a popular item at parties for years and there are so many ways to make them! This post will walk you through all you need to know about using Jello and gelatin, different alcohols, shelf life, and TONS of recipe tips – so read closely!

🥃 What’s In The Recipe?

These fun party shots are a very simple combination of ingredients but there are tons of flavor possibilities depending on what you choose! Jello Shots are made with Jell-O/gelatin, water, and alcohol.

If you’re making them from scratch with unflavored gelatin, you’ll want to consider adding some form of sugar be it with simple syrup, soda, or fruit juice.

🍸 Which Alcohol To Use:

You can use any alcohol you want, but some spirits are definitely better than others when it comes to making this recipe.

Vodka – This is the most common alcohol used. If you’re making them for potency and less for taste, this probably is the best option. Try using flavored vodka to make it more palatable.

Rum – This is my favorite alcohol to use, it tastes great with pretty much every jello flavor, it’s smooth, and flavored rums can really add a lot to a shot! I like using white rum because it doesn’t change the color of the shots.

Gin – Just don’t do it. I love Gin, but in all of our testing, everything tasted medicinal.

Tequila – This is a middle-of-the-road choice. Tequila wouldn’t be my first pick but it tasted good when made with lime jello, triple sec, and a sprinkle of coarse salt for a Margarita Jello Shot.

Whiskey/Bourbon – This is my second favorite combo, but it truly depends on the flavor of jello you choose. We love Bourbon with Peach and Black Cherry jello, Irish Whiskey is a little more versatile.

Brandy – Brandy is made by distilling wine and usually comes in fruity flavors that lend well to jello shots. I love using apricot and blackberry brandy in my recipes.

Wine/Champagne – Both make great shots! You can make my Sangria Jello Shots or Champagne Jello Shots. Both are made with straight gelatin and the flavor of the alcohol itself really is the star!

Beer – I’m not a huge fan of beer, but in our testing, we felt that a fruity IPA paired with orange jello had the best flavor.

Liqueurs – These are almost always a good idea when it comes to making Jello Shots. These sweetened liquors add a lot of flavor to the shots and let you get extra creative. Try using Pucker for a sour twist!

And if you’re looking for something sweet, I highly recommend checking out my Pudding Shots recipe especially if you love Irish Cream and White Russians!

While this is a really easy recipe, make sure you have either 2oz. cups or 1oz. cups (affiliate links) to put them in.

👩‍🍳 How To Make Them

Making them with packaged Jello-O is the easiest way to make them and I find that the shots tend to set a little quicker.

Making them from scratch might not be the cheapest way to make them, but you have a little more control over the flavor with this method! It also makes a larger batch.

The Ratio for Make Jello Shots with packaged Jello is:

• 6 ounces of water
• 1 box Jello powder mix
• 10 ounces of alcohol

The Ratio for Make Jello Shots with gelatin is:

• 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin (affiliate link)
• 1 cup hot liquid
• 2 1/4 cups cold liquid

For the full base recipe method for each technique and flavor ideas (including my favorite recipe), see the notes section of the recipe card at the bottom of this post 🙂

💡 Expert Tips For Making Jello Shots:

Don’t Boil For Gelatin – If you’re using Jell-O, you can bring the liquid to a boil. However, if using gelatin I recommend just bringing it to a light simmer.

Skip The Molds – In my experience, fun-shaped silicone molds aren’t the best and you usually have to use cooking spray with them for jello shots which makes them kind of gross.

Don’t Overfill – If you’re not planning on serving these right after they are set and are storing them in the fridge for a few days, make sure to leave room at the top for the lid.

Mini Baster – This is actually the cleanest and easiest way to fill up your shot glasses. I love this mini baster (affiliate link)!

Measuring Cup – I have found that a small measuring cup also works great for distributing the shots into the cups. I really like this cup (affiliate link) because it has a nice spout for easy, no-mess pouring.

Hot Liquids – I recommend heating water or wine. However, if neither of these is used in your recipe, any liquid can be used.

Cookie Sheet – The easiest way to transport from the counter to the refrigerator after filling is by arranging the cups on a cookie sheet.

Layering – If you want to make layered shots. Make your first layer and place it in the fridge for 1 hour to set before adding the next layer. Repeat for as many layers as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

⏲️ How Long Do They Take To Set?

They will typically take between 1.5 to 3 hours to set. This will depend on the size and the proof of the alcohol that’s used.

🗓️ How Long Will They Last?

They should be consumed within 1 week of being made.

❄️ Can They Be Frozen?

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it. During our testing, freezing for long periods of time tends to break down the shot resulting in an unpleasant texture. However, if you need to speed up the setting process, it can work.

Gelatin sets at around 50 degrees and water freezes at 32 so we’re shooting for somewhere in there, which really makes storing your shots in the refrigerator the perfect spot 

We found that popping them in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes sped the process up, but don’t leave them in there longer than that.

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👋 Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review; I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges and win prizes!