Go Back

Jell-O Shots (Red, White, and Blue)

Jell-O shots recipe with glossy red, white, and blue layers in clear cups. This easy party jello shots method uses vodka, careful cooling, and spooning so each stripe stays clean and jiggly.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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: 112
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Jell-O layers
  • 1 box cherry or strawberry Jell-O For the red layer.
  • 1 box berry blue Jell-O For the blue layer.
  • 1 box unflavored gelatin For the white layer.
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk For the white layer.
  • 3 cup boiling water Divided for each layer.
  • 1.5 cup cold vodka Divided for each layer.
  • 0.5 cup cold water For the white layer.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red layer
  1. Dissolve cherry or strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir for 2 minutes until fully dissolved and glossy. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka and immediately pour into shot cups to fill one-third of the way, using a steady pour so the surface looks smooth.
  2. Refrigerate for 45 minutes until fully set and firm to the touch before adding the next layer.
Make and add the white layer
  1. Whisk sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin until dissolved, then let cool slightly so it won’t melt the red layer. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then spoon gently over the set red layer to keep the stripes separated.
  2. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is fully set.
Make and add the blue layer
  1. Dissolve berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir for 2 minutes until smooth. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, cool to room temperature, and gently pour over the white layer to avoid breaking through.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold for maximum jiggle.

Notes

For crisp red-white-blue layers, cool the white mixture until it’s lukewarm (not hot) and use a gentle spoon/slow pour over each set layer. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; freeze not recommended because the texture can get grainy. If you want a lower-sugar version, use sugar-free Jell-O flavors for the red and blue layers and choose a reduced-sugar condensed milk substitute for the white layer.