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!
This Is The Best Jello Shot Recipe!
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!
The flavor possibilities are endless, and they’re super easy to make!
Jello Shot Recipe Ingredients
These fun party shots are a very simple combination of ingredients, but there are many flavor possibilities depending on your choice! 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 with simple syrup, soda, or fruit juice.
What alcohol is best for Jello shots?
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 Jello Shots
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 🙂
Jello Shots Recipe Tips
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, making 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.
How to serve Jello Shots
Preparing the jello shots in small plastic shot glasses or disposable condiment containers makes them very easy to serve.
It’s best to serve jello shots chilled right from the fridge.
Jello Shot FAQs
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.
They should be consumed within 1 week of being made.
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.
The liquid ration should be 1 to 2 parts alcohol.
It is helpful, but not necessary.
The strength of the alcohol does not increase, but the firmness of the jello will continue to increase over the first 24 hours or so.
Yes, using too much alcohol can prevent the jello from setting up properly. I recommend using no more than 2/3 alcohol no more than 80% proof.
Absolutely, this is actually my recommendation because they need several hours in the fridge to set up.
More Recipes from Sugar and Soul
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Berry Rum Jello Shot Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces water
- 1 (3oz.) box Berry Blue Jell-O
- 3 ounces White Rum
- 4 ounces Peach Schnapps
- 3 ounces Triple Sec
Instructions
- Bring water to a low boil in a pot.
- Add the Jell-O mix to a large heat-proof bowl and whisk in the boiling water until the powder has completely dissolved.
- Add in the alcohol and transfer into 2oz. sized plastic cups arranged on a baking sheet using a measuring cup or mini baster.
- Place the baking sheet loaded with jello shots in the refrigerator and allow them to set for 2 to 3 hours.
- Once set, enjoy immediately or cover with lids and store in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- 3oz. box of Jell-O
- 6 ounces of hot liquid
- 10 ounces of cold water or other liquid
-
- Add Jell-O to a medium heat-safe mixing bowl.
- Heat the water in a pot until just barely boiling, remove and pour the cup of boiling water into the bowl. Whisk until the Jello powder has completely dissolved.
- Add vodka or another alcohol of your choice.
- Distribute into jello shot cups and chill on a baking sheet in the refrigerator for 1.5 to 2 hours.
- 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup hot liquid
- 2 1/4 cups cold liquid
- Whisk together gelatin and 1/4 cup of either alcohol or water in a large heat-safe mixing bowl and let sit so the gelatin can bloom.
- Heat 1 cup of liquid in a pot until just barely simmering, remove and pour into the bowl with the gelatin mix and whisk until combined.
- Add in the remaining liquid and pour the mixture into plastic cups on a baking sheet.
- Place jello shots in the refrigerator to set for 1.5 to 3 hours.
Recipe Notes
- Final Amount Varies – The amount of shots recipe makes will vary based on the size of the cup you use and how full you fill it.
- 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 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!
- 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 because it has a nice spout for easy, no mess pouring.
- Cookie Sheet – The easiest way to transport from the counter to the refrigerator after filling is by arranging the cups on a cookie sheet.
- Shelf Life – They should be consumed within 1 week of being made.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Kimberly M says
I made 100s of these and handed them out at Pride. They were a huge hit!! Just perfect and the alcohol content was appreciated.
Rebecca Hubbell says
What a fun idea! Glad everyone liked them!
Lucy says
My shots came out way too strong, not very enjoyable and couldn’t taste actual flavor of the jello.
Ellen T Spohler says
Loved learning how to make the Jell-O shots
Kim Burns says
Too much alcohol! We couldn’t even eat them. This recipe has about 4 times more alcohol than other Jell-O shot recipes. Net only using 2-4 oz alcohol. They did set up wonderfully.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy them, we prefer our jello shots to be more along the lines of actual shots as opposed to slightly alcoholic jello.