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Jello Shot 101 & Our Favorite Jello Shot Recipes

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Ever had a jello shot or jello shooter? These words are interchangeable and mean the same thing. We are sure you have, as we have had, too…JUST A FEW! Jello shots or jello shooters are what has always kept the proverbial party going! They are perfect for so many diverse social gatherings; tailgates, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, pre-gaming for a concert, camping at a festival…even just to have in your refrigerator for a nice treat whenever you want it!

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free? Are Jello Shots & Jello Shooters Healthy-ish?

While jello shots and jello shooters are naturally gluten-free they are not vegan or vegetarian. Jello is made from boiling animal bones, tendons, and hides, thus extracting the gelatin needed to produce jello. Kosher jello or gelatin is also gluten-free but not vegan or vegetarian, because it is made from fish.

Jello shots are not considered healthy by most, but they can be considered healthy-ish if you use sugar-free jello or agar agar and clear booze with minimal added sugar.

Basic jello shots or jello shooters have about 52 calories in them which is by no means bad for you. I think that when compared to a daiquiri topped with whipped cream, jello shots or jello shooters are pretty good for you. When you start adding schnapps and other high-sugar ingredients, that's when you start piling on the calories, so if you are on a health-kick just be careful and watch those added sugars, but other than that jello shots or jello shooters just might be the perfect party drink for anyone watching what they eat!

Agar Agar Vegan & Vegetarian Jello Shots & Jello Shooters

So, what's a vegan partier to do?

The solution is simple my vegan and vegetarian friends, use agar agar as a substitute for gelatin. Agar agar is derived from seaweed and is often used as a thickener in many foods. The basic goal for turning a typical jello shot recipe or jello shooter recipe vegan and vegetarian is to times the amount of gelatin or jello in the original recipe by 1 1/2 and that is the amount of agar agar you will need to convert your recipe to make it vegan and vegetarian. Typically, your vegan and vegetarian jello shot or jello shooter recipe will need 1 3/4 teaspoons of agar agar powder to fully set up 15 total jello shots or jello shooters, but you might need to experiment a little to perfect your recipe.

Take Care of Your Jello Shots & Jello Shooters & They Will Take Care of You!

Never under any circumstance put your jello shots or jello shooters in the freezer. They will not set up faster; they might not set up at all and you could be left with a weird icy, slushy mess. The one rule of jello shots and jello shooters is that you must have patience and you must put them in the refrigerator. 

Jello shots and jello shooters will melt at room temperature and they will melt at an even more accelerated rate when the temperature is at or above 95°F. Try to keep your jello shots or jello shooters in your refrigerator until you are ready to eat them or serve them. If you are in an air-conditioned space, your jello shots or jellos shooters can potentially sit out for about 45 minutes to an hour, if they last that long, before they start to melt. If you are outside and in the heat enjoying some jello shots or jello shooters it is extremely necessary that you keep them in an ice chest filled with ice or else they could melt in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.

Jello shots and jello shooters do go bad and only last up to 3 days when refrigerated. After about 3 days, the flavor starts to change and the alcohol in the jello shots or jello shooters starts to develop an over-whelming boozy flavor that is not good, to say the least, so be sure to try and finish your jello shots or jello shooter 3 days after you make them.

Another good tip is to try to only make enough for your party. If jello shots or jello shooters are the only alcoholic concoction at your party you are going to need to make roughly 3 per person, but, and this is usually the case, when serving jello shots or jello shooters with other alcoholic beverages, you really only need 1 or 2 jello shots or jello shooters per person.

If you are trying to prepare jello shots or jello shooters ahead of your party or celebration, I suggest that you only prepare them 1 day ahead of time to ensure that they retain their delicious flavor and that they do not start to turn bad.

A Little History of Jello Shots & Jello Shooters

It is said that jello shots were invented in the 1950s on an army base by a man who just wanted to make sure that his fellow army mates and himself could have a good time and get around all the army's rules and restrictions. It is said that the first jello shots were made from a vodka-like liquor and orange jello.

Jello shots and jello shooters have maintained their popularity because everyone loves a jiggly jello treat and half the fun is making these boozy treats. You can mix and match and invent new flavor combinations, just let your imagination run free and see what fun flavors you come up with. Jello shots and jello shooters are also highly portable and are often wrapped up in their own packaging or they are cut out into bite-sized morsels. These poppable treats can be eaten in one stroke and because they're also ready-made, all you have to do is pass them out. Jello shots and jello shooters are often made in small plastic cups with lids that make them highly portable and make them the perfect size for single serving use. But, they are also made in non-medical syringes that also are the perfect size for one serving. These jello shot or jello shooter containers can be found at any restaurant supply store or online.


 Basic Recipe for Jello Shots & Jello Shooters

The basic jello shot or jello shooter recipe is as follows: 

1 (3-ounce) box of jello yields about 15 jello shots or jello shooters and about 2 cups of liquid total.

2 (3-ounce) boxes (or 1 large 6-ounce box) yields 30 jello shots or jello shooters (double the trouble ;)).

These should fit nicely on a baking sheet so that you can easily transport them easily and evenly to the refrigerator.

It can take 2 to 4 hours to make jello shots or jello shooters depending on the size of the batch you are making, the size of the individual jello shots or jello shooters, and ultimately, the temperature inside your fridge.

To get things started you will need:

1 (3-ounce) package of Jell-O or other gelatin, any flavor

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup of distilled liquor

1/2 cup flavored liquor

After you dissolve the jello in 1 cup of boiling water, you are going to add 1 cup booze. The booze is the substitution for the 1 cup cold water per the jello package directions.

A secret trick is to use a half cup of hard liquor and a half cup flavored liquor to equal 1 full cup of booze. The result is a strong shot that doesn’t taste too strong. You know how sometimes you take a jello shot or jello shooter and its deliciousness is masked by the overwhelming taste of rubbing alcohol? No one wants to gag while trying to enjoy their jello shot or jello shooter at a party. Everyone wants a potent shot, but no one wants to gag when they try to eat it. This sweet technique will produce a strong shot that actually tastes good.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or longer to make sure the liquid sets. Serve cold.

Never put your jello shots or jello shooters in the freezer, because this will lead to a weird ice layer on the top of the jello and the jello will not set up properly. Basically, in order to enjoy jello shots or jello shooters, all you need is patience and a refrigerator.

This basic recipe for jello shots or jello shooters is guaranteed to be the star of your next part

25 Yummy Jello Shot & Jello Shooter Recipes

Jägermeister Jello Shots or Jägermeister Jello Shooters

Jäger Bomb Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling Red Bull (in place of the water), 1 (3-ounce) box black cherry or orange Jello, 1 cup Jägermeister.

Tequila Jello Shots or Tequila Jello Shooters

Margarita Jello Shots or Melon Margarita Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) package lime Jello, ½ cup tequila, ½ cup sweet and sour margarita mix. Sprinkle with salt or sugar crystals just before firm. Substitute watermelon Jello for lime jello to make a melon margarita.


Rum Jello Shots or Rum Jello Shooters

Rum and Coke Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling coke, 1 (3-ounce) box dark cherry Jello, 1 cup light rum.

Hawaiian Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box pineapple or blueberry Jello, 1 cup Malibu rum.

Caribbean Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-banana Jello, 1 cup Cruzan banana rum or 1 cup 99 Bananas.

Lime-in-the-Coconut Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box lime Jello, 1 cup Malibu Coconut Rum.

Cherry Cola Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling Coke, 1 (3-ounce) box cherry Jello, 1 cup cold cola, 1/2 cup amaretto, 1/2 cup spiced rum. Try this one with Cherry Cola, it's also delicious.

Sour Apple Jello Shots:  in a microwavable container, mix 1 (3-ounce) box sour apple Jello, 1 (0.25-ounce) package Knox gelatin, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir in 1 cup Mountain Dew and mix well. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir until powder is dissolved. Add 2 cups vodka and 3/4 cup Captain Morgan Coconut Rum.

Caribou Lou Jello Shots:  1/2 cup boiling water, 1/2 cup pineapple juice boiled, 1 (3-ounce) box pineapple Jello, 1/2 cup Malibu Rum, 1/2 cup Triple sec.

Champagne Jello Shots or Champagne Jello Shooters

Mimosas Jello Shots:  this one strays from the normal method since champagne isn't as strong as liquor. Cut the water out of this recipe completely and just trust me. 1 cup boiling champagne, 1 (3-ounce) box orange Jello, 1 cup chilled champagne, and just a splash of orange juice.

Red Silk Panties Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling champagne, 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry Jello, 1 cup chilled champagne and splash of lychee juice from the can.

Vodka Jello Shots or Vodka Jello Shooters

Orange Tic-Tac Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling Red Bull, 1 (3-ounce) box orange Jello, 1 cup mandarin orange vodka.

Lemon Drop Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box lemon Jello, 1 cup citrus vodka, and top with sugar crystals just before they set up.

Grape Crush Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box grape Jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup Chambord.

Lemon Lime Jello Shots:  2 cups boiling Sprite, 1 (3-ounce) box lemon and 1 (3-ounce) box lime Jello, 2 cups citrus vodka.

Blueberry Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box blueberry Jello, 1 cup blueberry vodka.

Fruit Punch Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box mixed fruit Jello, 1/2 cup blueberry vodka, 1/2 cup raspberry vodka.


Watermelon Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box watermelon Jello, 1 cup watermelon vodka.

Dreamsicle Jello Shots:  1 1/3 cups boiling water and 2/3 cup boiling orange juice, 2 (3-ounce) boxes orange Jello, 1 cup vanilla vodka, 1/2 cup raspberry or berry vodka, 1/2 cup KeKe Beach Key Lime Cream Liqueur.

Sour Apple Jello Shots:  in a microwavable container, mix 1 (3-ounce) box sour apple Jello, 1 (0.25-ounce) package Knox gelatin, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir in 1 cup Mountain Dew and mix well. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir until powder is dissolved. Add 2 cups vodka and 3/4 cup Captain Morgan Coconut Rum.

Squirm Jello Shots:  2 1/4 cups boiling water, 3 (3-ounce) boxes any flavor Jello, 2 cups vodka, 3/4 cup ice cold water, 1 gummy worm added to each shot once they just start setting up but aren't completely firm.

Jolly Rancher Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box melon Jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup apple pucker.

Cosmopolitan Jello Shots:  1 cup of boiling water with a splash of lime juice, 1 (3-ounce) box cranberry Jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup triple sec.

Beer Jello Shots or Beer Jello Shooters

Beer Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry Jello or 1 (0.25-ounce) envelope Knox gelatin, add 1 cup any malt liquor.

 

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Schnapps Jello Shots or Schnapps Jello Shooters

Red Hots Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling water, 1 (3-ounce) box Cherry Jello, ½ cup Cinnamon Schnapps, ½ cup Firewater or Fireball, 1 dash of hot sauce (totally optional).

Sex on the Beach Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling cranberry juice, 1 (3-ounce) box orange Jello, 3-ounces peach schnapps, 5-ounces vodka.

Gin Jello Shots or Jello Shooters

Gin and Tonic Jello Shots:  1 cup boiling tonic water, 1 (3-ounce) box lime Jello, 1 cup gin.

More fun jello shot and jello shooter recipes!

Ever want to make a jello shot or jello shooter cake? Well, you can with this recipe for Jello Shot Cake that is made in a bundt cake pan and features a rainbow design, but you can use whatever colors you'd like. This recipe also proves that any kitchen pan or contained can instantly become a jello shot or jello shooter container.

Speaking of jello shot cakes, these cute little Birthday Cake Jello Shots are better than any birthday cake, so make them this year to celebrate another year of you!

Not into those types of jello shot cupcakes and cakes, well check out this recipe for Fireball Jello Shot Cupcakes that are the cinnamon-laced sweet treat that's topped with whipped cream and a cherry, but the best part is of course that this recipe contains Fireball booze.

Everyone's favorite two flavors, vodka and red bull, come together to make this recipe for Vodka-Red Bull Jello Shots that are sure to be a hit at your next party or celebration.

Dive into this recipe for a Jelly Shot Gummy Fishbowl that is the size of your face, literally this is a fishbowl full of flavor and all the edible goodness of jello-shot-yumminess!

 

Jello Shot or Jello Shooter Tips

Turn your favorite cocktail into a jello shot or jello shooter!

Master the art of party mixology by turning your beloved cocktails into jello shots or jello shooters for everyone to enjoy!

The key to jello shot or jello shooter success is to retain the cocktail's proportions so that the total volume of the chilled liquid required for the recipe equals around 1 cup.

For example, to make a cosmopolitan jello shot or jello shooter the proportions would be:  1 cup of boiling water with a splash of lime juice, 1 (3-ounce) box cranberry Jello, 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup triple sec.

Use this formula to impress your friends with your master mixologist skills for jello shot and jello shooter perfection! 

Use plain gelatin

Unflavored gelatin comes in 0.25-ounce packets and really helps emphasize the other ingredients in a jello shot.

Use different colors!

If you are going to be making a few different jello shots or jello shooters for a party, make sure to use bright colors to differentiate between the flavors.

For example, make a margarita shot bright green, while a strawberry daiquiri shot should be bright red. This way your partygoers won't be confused and will be able to choose the shots they want most based on the colors of the original cocktails that the jello shots or jellos shooters are based on. 

Use food coloring!

Deepen the visual vibrancy of your jello shots or jello shooters by adding food coloring. Sometimes when you use unflavored and uncolored gelatin, the jello shots or jello shooters can be a little drab looking. Just add a few drops of food coloring until you get the desired color you want.

Suspend things inside your jello shots or jello shooters!

To really make your jello shots or jello shooters stand out you can suspend almost anything in them, as long as it's edible!

From gummy bears to citrus peels to herbs and everything in-between, the possibilities are endless and so tasty!

To do this, you must chill your gelatin mix in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before you pour it into the containers you want to serve them in. Leaving the jello shot mixture or jello shooter mixture in the fridge for a little will allow the mixture thicken a bit so that the special edible additions float easier.

Fold the edible addition into the gelatin mix making sure that the jello completely surrounds it. Now you can transfer this creative concoction into the container of your choice! Use a toothpick to adjust the positioning of the edible you added to the jello. Refrigerate for another 2 hours and voila! You have themed, detailed, delicious jello shots and jello shooters.

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Use unique containers for your jello shots and jello shooters

Not all jello shots have to go in plastic cups. You can put them in paper cups, one large bowl even, or cut them into fun shapes and display them on a tray.

You can even use citrus rinds to serve them! Yes, you heard us right...fruit rinds! For example, if you were to make these Strawberry Margarita jello shots, you would first hull the strawberries and cut a flat bottom on them so they stand for serving. Make the jello shots according to the recipe and then fill the hulled strawberries with the jello mixture. The end result is this amazingly creative and delicious fruity jello shots and jello shooters. These strawberry jello shots and jello shooter are the poppable morsels that you can jus tpop into your mouth and enjoy a burst of fresh strawberry flavor. 

Don't put too much alcohol in you jello shots or jello shooters!

If there is more alcohol than water, your jello shot will be jello sludge and no one wants a jello shot or jello shooter that is messy and not solid or properly set-up. Always check your proportions and make sure that you leave enough time to refrigerate your jello creations so they set in time for your party or celebration. PARTY ON!

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