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Jell-O Shots

Jell-O shots recipe with three translucent, glossy layers of red, white, and blue. Made by dissolving Jell-O in boiling water, mixing with vodka, then chilling between each pour for clean jiggly edges.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
setting 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Jell-O cherry or strawberry
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O
Jell-O berry blue
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O
Unflavored gelatin
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin (for white layer)
Sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (for white layer)
Boiling water
  • 3 cup boiling water, divided
Cold vodka
  • 1.5 cup cold vodka, divided
Cold water for white layer
  • 0.5 cup cold water (for white layer)

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make and set the red layer
  1. Dissolve cherry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully clear, then mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka. Pour into shot cups to fill one-third of the way, then place on a sheet pan for easy handling as the surface stays glossy.
  2. Refrigerate for 45 minutes until fully set, with the red layer appearing firm and no longer jiggles when gently tapped.
Add the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, stirring until dissolved and smooth. Cool slightly, add 1/2 cup cold water, then spoon gently over the set red layer so the layers stay distinct.
  2. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is set and holds shape in the cup.
Pour and chill the blue layer
  1. Dissolve blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until clear, then mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka. Cool to room temperature, then gently pour over the white layer to keep the top glossy and even.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold with layers visible as red, white, and blue rows.

Notes

Pro tip: cool the white mixture slightly and cool the blue layer to room temperature before pouring, so you don’t melt the set layers—this helps the translucent, glossy look. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended because the texture can become grainy. For a lighter option, use vodka with reduced alcohol content (same volume) to lower overall alcohol calories.