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Home / Recipes

Jello Shots

3 hours 10 minutes
4.5 from 8 votes
4 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 153
by: Joanna Cismaru
08.07.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Does anything scream party more than Jello Shots? Not in my world! Made with vodka and any flavor of jello you love best. Using just 3 ingredients, this recipe couldn’t get any easier. Whisk it, set it, and, after a few of these buzz-worthy treats, forget it.

a rainbow of jello shots in small plastic cups

It’s time for shots! I’m a member of the population who genuinely hates taking shots. They make the hair stand up on the back of my neck, that uncontrollable wretch. Just not my cup of tea. These, on the other hand, just taste like dessert. The alcohol is completely hidden! And they sure do bring up memories from my college days. I may have had a few back then.

That being said, make sure to enjoy these with caution. It’s easy to take shot after shot after shot, completely forgetting that you’re consuming alcohol. I may or may not know this from experience. Today I have a base recipe you can follow with any type of jello, but I’ve also included some fun flavor combinations below!

ingredients needed to make jello shots

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

  • Jello – Any flavor you like. This recipe is made with a 3oz package.
  • Water – Both boiling and cold.
  • Vodka – Any brand you like. Even the really cheap brands are good here.
detailed process shots showing how to make jello shots

How to make jello shots

  1. Dissolve: Whisk the the jello crystals with the boiling water in a medium size bowl or a large measuring cup until all the crystals have completely dissolved.
  2. Set: Add the vodka and cold water. Whisk well to combine. Pour the mixture into recyclable plastic shot glasses. Let the shots set, in the fridge, for 2-3 hours before serving.
overhead shot of a rainbow of jello shots in little plastic cups with lids on

How much alcohol is in each shot?

As fore-mentioned, jello shots can be a little dangerous since they taste so darn good. If you want to plan out your night and drink responsibly, I’ve crunched the numbers for you.

I suggest buying 2 oz containers and filling them halfway to give you 1 oz for each shot. This recipe is made with 16 oz of liquid, 4 oz of which are vodka. This will give you 1/4 oz of vodka per shot. This will equal a 10% alcohol content.

If you want the shots to give more of a buzz, you can replace some or all of the cold water with vodka. As long as you add 1 cup of cold liquid in total for step two, the recipe will work just fine. I suggest refrigerating the vodka beforehand if you plan on using a high ratio.

overhead shot of a rainbow of jello shots in little plastic cups with lids off

Jello shot flavors

This is the most fun part! After you master the original recipe, you can try some of these ideas.

  • Strawberry jello + 3 oz lemon vodka + 1 oz triple sec
  • Strawberry jello + 2 oz vodka + 2 oz peach schnapps
  • Berry blue jello + 3 oz coconut rum + 1 oz curacao
  • Cranberry jello + 3 oz vodka + 1 oz triple sec
  • Cherry jello + 3 oz lemon vodka + 1 oz triple sec
  • Lime jello + 2 1/2 oz tequila + 1 1/2 oz triple sec
  • Lime jello + 4 oz watermelon vodka
  • Orange jello + 3 oz tequila + 1 oz triple sec
  • Orange jello + 2 oz vodka + 2 oz peach schnapps

An easy easy way to make fun flavor combinations for your jello shots is to simply use flavored vodka in the recipe. From grape, lime, lemon, vanilla, raspberry, orange, and so much more, you can create any combination you crave!

sideview shot of a rainbow of jello shots in little plastic cups with lids on

How to take jello shots

I know at first glance this may seem like a ridiculous problem to have. It’s a shot, right? Just take it! If you’ve never had a jello shot, then you’ve never experienced the combination of hilarity and desperation as you try to squeeze the jello out of this little cup and into your mouth. Fear not! I have the trick.

Use a (clean) finger, and run it around the edges of the jello to loosen it from the cup. Now give it a try! Comes out a lot easier, hey? And it’s all in one piece! You can also use your tongue to go around and loosen the edges, but that’s for the jello shot experts.

How long do jello shots last?

Want to make these ahead? Well, you’re very lucky with this recipe. Not only does jello last quite a while on its own, but it has vodka in there to act as a preservative as well. You can make these shots 7-10 days ahead of time.

If you plan on making these ahead, find the plastic ounce cups that come equipped with a lid. Leaving the shots in your fridge uncovered can result in an undesirable thicker skin on the top and the jello can also soak up smells from your fridge. Garlic and onion? No thank you!

overhead shot of jello shots all different colors in little plastic cups with lids on

Try out these fun homemade drinks:

  • B52 Shot
  • Tequila Sunrise
  • Margarita
  • Cosmopolitan Cocktail
  • Red or White Sangria
  • Mojito Recipe

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

a rainbow of jello shots in small plastic cups

Jello Shots

4.5 from 8 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Chill time: 3 hrs
Total: 3 hrs 10 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 12
Print Pin Rate
Does anything scream party more than Jello Shots? Not in my world! Made with vodka and any flavor of jello you love best. Using just 3 ingredients, this recipe couldn't get any easier. Whisk it, set it, and, after a few of these buzz-worthy treats, forget it.

Equipment

  • Jello Shot Cups

Ingredients

  • 3 ounce jello any flavor, 1 package
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup vodka
  • ½ cup cold water
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Dissolve: Whisk the the jello crystals with the boiling water in a medium size bowl or a large measuring cup until all the crystals have completely dissolved.
  • Set: Add the vodka and cold water. Whisk well to combine. Pour the mixture into recyclable plastic shot glasses. Let the shots set, in the fridge, for 2-3 hours before serving.

Recipe Notes

  1. A jello shot container will yield 12 shots if the cups are filled to the top, or if you fill them half way you can get about 20 shots per jello box. 
  2. Nutritional information assumes 12 shots per jello box.
  3. You can make these shots 7-10 days ahead of time.
  4. Other flavors to try:
    1. Strawberry jello + 3 oz lemon vodka + 1 oz triple sec
    2. Strawberry jello + 2 oz vodka + 2 oz peach schnapps
    3. Berry blue jello + 3 oz coconut rum + 1 oz curacao
    4. Cranberry jello + 3 oz vodka + 1 oz triple sec
    5. Cherry jello + 3 oz lemon vodka + 1 oz triple sec
    6. Lime jello + 2 1/2 oz tequila + 1 1/2 oz triple sec
    7. Lime jello + 4 oz watermelon vodka
    8. Orange jello + 3 oz tequila + 1 oz triple sec
    9. Orange jello + 2 oz vodka + 2 oz peach schnapps

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 50kcal (3%)Carbohydrates: 6g (2%)Protein: 1g (2%)Sodium: 35mg (2%)Sugar: 6g (7%)
Course:Cocktail
Cuisine:American
Keyword:jello shots
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 153

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Vicki says

    April 10, 2021 at 7:20 am

    ?Do you use instant Jello or that kind you have to boil

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      April 10, 2021 at 11:00 am

      Yes, it’s instant jello.

      Reply
  2. Marsha Siegel says

    August 8, 2020 at 7:54 am

    Can you use sugar free Jello?

    Reply
    • jo says

      August 8, 2020 at 11:20 am

      Of course!

      Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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