There are several pins on pinterest that show off red, white & blue jello shots, however very few of them include a recipe or how-to, so I thought it would be nice to share how I made my layered jello shots for my 4th of July party! They are fairly easy to make and were a big hit at the party! Pin now and save for next year’s 4th of July!
This is a fun recipe to make year after year for your 4th of July party! Be sure to put your finished shots in a cooler if you’re bringing them to a party so they don’t melt in the sun!
Love those layers!!
Red, White & Blue Jello Shots Recipe
Ingredients
- 3oz package of blue Jello
- 3oz package of red Jello
- 2 packets of Knox gelatin
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar, depending how sweet you want it (I use 1/4 cup)
- 3 cups (divided) of alcohol of choice (flavored or plain vodka works well)
- 3 cups (divided) water
- jello shot cups
Instructions
First set up your shot cups. I like to spread mine out on baking sheets for easy transport to and from the fridge. I bought 2 oz shot cups from the party store. You do not need to spray with cooking spray or otherwise prepare the cups.
Step 1: Make the Red layer
- In a bowl add 1 cup of boiling water to the red jello, stir well until dissolved.
- Add 1 cup of alcohol (I used whipped cream flavored vodka), stir.
- Pour into jello shot cups, spreading evenly across the cups so there is a layer of red in each.
- Transfer to fridge and let them set. Package directions say 4 hours, I let mine set overnight so they would be extra firm before I added the next layer! If you skip this step, your colors will mix when you add the next ones and you will no longer have a layer effect! If you are rushed I would let them set at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: The White Layer
- Add 1 cup of water to a saucepan and sprinkle the Knox over it, allow it to bloom for a few minutes. All the gelatin powder should be touching the water. Do not skip this step or the gelatin won't set properly.
- Turn on the heat to low and stir in the 1 cup of coconut milk. Stir well, cooking on low until the gelatin is fully dissolved and the mixture heats up to just before boiling. (little bubbles on the edges, but not big boiling bubbles)
- Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Allow to cool several minutes and then add 1 cup of alcohol (I used whipped cream vodka). Let the mixture cool on the counter about 10 minutes. (at this point it may start to separate, if this happens just stir it again before going on to step 5)
- Carefully add the white layer to your red layer in each cup. Mine was too hot and started mixing in some of them so I used a spoon to add it! But, if it's cooled enough you can pour it (slowly!)
- Transfer to fridge and allow to completely cool and set (same as the red layer)
- Note: be sure to use clear alcohol or white liquor for this step so it stays white!
Step 3: The Blue Layer
- In a bowl add 1 cup of boiling water to the blue jello, stir well until dissolved
- Add 1 cup of alcohol, stir. Allow to cool several minutes on the counter before going on to the next step. (I do about 10 minutes)
- Carefully add the blue over the white layer, slowly so it doesn't mix!
- Transfer to fridge and allow to set before eating!
Notes
- Besure to let the layers fully set before you start adding the next one! Otherwise they will start mixing and you will have pink instead of red and white!
- It is helpful to let the new layer cool a little in the mixing bowl before you start pouring it in for the same reason as above.
- I recommend leaving your trays in the fridge until you are completely ready to add the next layer.
- Imake my shots will half water and half alcohol.So, for a 2 ounce shot (as pictured above) it is about 1 ounce of alcohol.Some people think these are “strong,”if you want a weaker shot you can use more cold water instead of alcohol, as long as it still equals to a cup.
Troubleshooting:
- If the white layer starts to separate, or becomes weird, you have probably made it too hot. Do not bring it to a full boil or it can make the coconut milk start to go funny. You can also add the coconut milk in the alcohol step instead of the water step, this will keep it cooler.
- Make sure the coconut milk hasn't separated in the can! Sometimes this kind of milk separates into a fat layer and a watery layer in the can. You need to make sure it's fully mixed together before using.
- If the white layer doesn't set, you probably didn't let the knox gelatin bloom. Make sure all the powder is touching water so each gelatin grain can fill up with water.
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A few thoughts on making layered jello shots:
- Besure to let the layers fully set before you start adding the next one!
Otherwise they will start mixing and you will have pink instead of red
and white! - It is helpful to let the new layer cool a little in
the mixing bowl before you start pouring it in for the same reason as
above. - I recommend leaving your trays in the fridge until you are completely ready to add the next layer.
- Imake my shots will half water and half alcohol. So, for a 2 ounce shot
(as pictured above) it is about 1 ounce of alcohol. Some people think
these are “strong,” if you want a weaker shot you can use more cold
water instead of alcohol, as long as it still equals to a cup.
Thanks for stopping by! If you liked this post please check out my other jello shots recipes!
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FAQs
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka, or other liquor. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to reach a consistent temperature. Place 1 (3-ounce) package any flavor gelatin in a separate bowl or glass measuring cup, and slowly add the remaining 1 cup boiling water.
How many jello shots does a 6 oz box make? ›
1 small box of jello yields about 15 jello shots (2 cups of liquid). 2 boxes (or 1 large 6 oz. box) yield 30 shots, which will fit nicely on a baking sheet to transport them easily to the refrigerator.
What happens if you put too much vodka in jello shots? ›
Jello shots won't set properly if you add too much alcohol. Generally, a basic batch of jello shots is made with one cup of juice or water, one packet of gelatin, 1/2 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of alcohol. However, jello shots can be made with as much as 2/3 cup alcohol without changing their texture.
What is the best alcohol to use for jello shots? ›
A lighter flavor like white rum will still allow the jello taste to be dominant, but you can also use stronger tasting options like gin, whiskey, or tequila, if that's your preference or goes best with your flavor profile (like tequila for a Strawberry Margarita Jello Shot, etc.).
Does it matter how much vodka you put in jello shots? ›
Their key takeaways: A standard recipe made with 3 ounces of Jell-O powder calls for 5 ounces of 80-proof vodka and 11 ounces of water, but this results in a shot that tastes watered-down. To make a stronger shot, use just 4 ounces of water and between 8 and 14 ounces of vodka (to taste)
Do jello shots get stronger the longer they sit? ›
Jello Shots, like life, are all about balance. That said, if you want a strong one, it is possible if you leave it in the fridge long enough. In a Supercall experiment, we found that the strongest Jello Shot that will set is three-to-one ratio of 80-proof alcohol to water, and it took a full day to become mostly solid.
Should alcohol be cold when making jello shots? ›
Note: The colder your alcohol is, the better the result. I think this has to do with the activation of the gelatin. Personally, when possible, I keep the bottle of alcohol in the freezer for several days before making my shots.
Do you spray cups for jello shots? ›
Pour gelatin mixture into paper or plastic shot cups* and chill in refrigerator until set, 1 hour or more. *Reviewers suggest coating the shot cups lightly with cooking spray so the shots slide right out.
Can you put lids on jello shots before they set? ›
Pour the jello mixture into the plastic cups, filling about 3/4 full so there is room for the lid to be put on later. Refrigerate the shots for 2-3 hours or until set. Put a lid on each cup and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Why didn't my jello shots set? ›
Maybe you didn't stir it well enough to mix it evenly. Or something else entirely - the directions don't seem like the best way to handle gelatine. You can try to save the next package. I would start with letting the water cool just a little bit before stirring in the jello, maybe 75 or 80°C.
This 3 ounce package makes four 1/2-cup servings so you can prepare enough for the whole family. It's easy to make a tasty dessert for kids or adults Simply mix the gelatin with boiling water, stir in cold water, and refrigerate until set.
What flavor vodka is best for jello shots? ›
What vodka should I use for Jell-O shots?
- Strawberry Lemonade: strawberry Jell-O, lemon vodka.
- Mixed Berry: raspberry Jell-O, blueberry vodka.
- Dreamsicle: orange Jell-O, vanilla vodka.
- Peaches and Cream: peach Jell-O, vanilla vodka.
- Pina Colada: pineapple Jell-O, coconut vodka.
- Key Lime: lime Jell-O, cake vodka.
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!
Can you substitute vodka for water in jello shots? ›
You're just modifying the recipe on the back of the package, so use the recommended amount of boiling water and substitute the cold water with alcohol. If you want weaker shots, use half alcohol and half water.)
How do you get jello shots to slide out? ›
Place shot glasses on a baking tray for easy transport. Pour gelatin mixture into paper or plastic shot cups* and chill in refrigerator until set, 1 hour or more. *Reviewers suggest coating the shot cups lightly with cooking spray so the shots slide right out.
Why do you flip jello shots upside down? ›
To do it, simply pour your liquid Jell-O shot into the cups, add the lid, and then flip each one before refrigerating. The result is a shot that sticks to the lid rather than the edges of the cup, allowing you easy access to that Jell-O goodness and making it so much easier to slurp down.
Should you turn jello shots upside down? ›
If you want to know how to make jello shots like a bar man then use plastic cups with lids. Let the jello set upside down and it will slip out easily when it's ready!
