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Dessert Recipes

Red White and Blue Jello Shots

Red White and Blue Jell-O Shots are the perfect layered Jello shots to spice up your holiday themed party this year. Incredible popular at parties and visually stunning, your guests will enjoy every delicious layer in this adult dessert. 4th of July spiked red, white and blue layered Jello shots are a fun way to bring in the American flag pride for Memorial Day, Veterans Day and July 4th. A perfect adult treat, these holiday Jell-O shots are the highlight of a summer BBQ or celebration. Remember to let each layer of the Jello shot settle entirely for flawless color sections and can, of course, be made alcohol free. Nothing says an ULTIMATE party like Independence day shots that will absolutely be a HIT at your next party.

Prep
5 hr
Total
7 hr
Serves
34 shots
Calories
33
Red White and Blue Jello Shots

Red White and Blue Jell-O Shots are the perfect layered jello shots to spice up your holiday themed 4th of July party this year. Stunning for summer cook outs, BBQs and parties all summer long, these colorful layers are sure to to be the biggest hit at the party!

a table full of layered Jell-O shots sitting on a cutting board.

Its summer time and that means cool refreshing summer drinks, holiday picnics with delicious salads, dips by the pool, and lots of party food! There is no doubt these Fourth of July layered Jell-O shots are mind blowing beautiful and worth the time to make. They look stunning on a party table, yep, right next to the perfect pasta side dishes and are are delicious as well.

Why this Recipe Works

Super Patriotic and FUN: Kids get so much of the fun out there and these little spirited red, white, and blue shots are a perfect way to host and serve up some excitement this season for the adults. They look splashy and while take some time to set between layers, are worth the effort. If you are doing a full themed out party and do need some kid friendly bites, try red, white and blue strawberries or this patriotic poke cake.

Variations work: Change up the colors for seasons, parties, and other holidays quite easily. This recipe is versatile and works even without the striped colors.

Ingredients

These layered jello shots are easy to make but can be time consuming due to the layers having to be filled. Also, if you have time, set the shot glasses out and on the counter for about 15 minutes after filling each layer. The jello will set up enough so you feel comfortable moving them to the refrigerator.

Then refrigerate until completely firm.

  • boxed cherry jello – I have found that Cherry gives the perfect red for a shot, but if you do not love cherry, there are other pink/red flavors that would work just fine for the red
  • boxed berry blue jello (Jell-O Berry Blue Instant Gelatin Mix)
  • vodka
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • box of unflavored gelatin
  • maraschino cherries for topping
collage of layered jello shots with 4 ingredient images.

Expert Tips

Serving: I serve mine with teeny little spoons I grab at the Dollar Tree.

Easy Clean up: These are 2 ounce shot glasses and if you want to serve with no clean up, get disposable shot glasses.

Perfect layers require patience: Set the shot glasses out and on the counter for about 15 minutes after filling each layer. The jello will set up enough so you feel comfortable moving them to the refrigerator. Then refrigerate until completely firm.

How to make Layered Jello Shots

6 collage image of how to make easy jello shots showing step by step picture instructions.
  1. Clear a space out of your refrigerator to fit a 9×13 baking pan. Place shot glasses on a flat surface. In a bowl or measuring cup with a spout, add 1 cup of boiling water. Stir in one small package of blue jello. Mix well until dissolved completely.
  2. Stir in 3/4 cup vodka and 1/4 cup cold water.
  3. Pour a small amount into a shot glass, filling 1/3 of the way. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. While 1 hour may be fine for my shot glasses, you may need less time or longer time. Please make sure to firm before going onto the next layer.
  4. In a measuring cup with a spout, add 1/2 cup cold water and 2 packages of unflavored gelatin. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is thick.
  5. Stir in 1 cup of boiling water and mix until dissolved.
  6. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup vodka. If the mixture is still hot, wait till it’s cooled to pour the next layer.
  7. Pour the mixture on top of the blue layer until 2/3 full.
  8. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
  9. For the red layer, repeat the directions from the blue layer.
  10. Adding a cherry on top and then filling the glasses. Let set for 2 hours to firm up.

Makes 30-36 shots.

4 images of step by step how to pour layers into a jello shot.

FAQ’s

What are other holiday layers that work for shots?

Christmas – green and red layers
Valentines Day – Ombre of red to lighter pink
Halloween – candy corn layers or orange and black
Rainbow – this would take some time, but red, yellow, orange, green, and blue.

Other than cherries, what are a good topping?

Strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream or chocolate shavings all make fun toppings

Can other alcohols be used in place of vodka?

Yes, absolutely. Vodka or flavored vodkas are the most common as they typically still allow the colors, or in this case red, white and blue, be the same. You can easily use other clear spirits and may like rum, tequila, brandy and whiskey all come in clear.

Is there more alcohol in a Jell-O shot than a drink?

This is going to boil down to some math on how strong the drink is and how big of a shot you end up using. Its typically that as few as 2 or as many as 4 will equal a drink. Its very easy to throw back quite a few Jell-O shots and then end up with more than you realize. Just be mindful that it contains liquor and drink responsibly.

Can jello shots go in the freezer?

Gelatin does not freeze itself, so while it may seem like a good idea, in the end you may end up messing up the shot.

Is it jello or Jell-O?

Jell-O is the correct brand name but people use them interchangeable, quite like u0022Kleenexu0022.

Can more alcohol be added to the layers?

The gelatin may not set if you over pour alcohol. Plus, contrary to belief, they can taste awful if not done right.

6 layered jello shots of red, white and blue sitting on a cutting board.

Ingredients

34 shots

Steps

  1. 1

    Clear a space out of your refrigerator to fit a 9x13 baking pan.

  2. 2

    Place shot glasses on a flat surface.

  3. 3

    In a bowl or measuring cup with a spout, add 1 cup of boiling water.

  4. 4

    Stir in one small package of blue jello.

  5. 5

    Mix well until dissolved completely.

  6. 6

    Stir in 3/4 cup vodka and 1/4 cup cold water.

  7. 7

    Pour a small amount into a shot glass, filling 1/3 of the way.

  8. 8

    Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

  9. 9

    In a measuring cup with a spout, add 1/2 cup cold water and 2 packages of unflavored gelatin.

  10. 10

    Let gelatin set for 5 minutes until mixture is thick.

  11. 11

    Stir in 1 cup of boiling water and mix until dissolved.

  12. 12

    Now add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup vodka.

  13. 13

    If mixture is still hot, wait till its cooled to pour on top of your blue layer.

  14. 14

    Pour the condensed milk mixture on top of the blue layer until 2/3 full.

  15. 15

    Refrigerate 2nd layer for 1 hour or until firm.

  16. 16

    For the red layer, repeat the directions from the blue layer.

  17. 17

    Add a cherry on top and then fill the glasses with the red layer.

  18. 18

    Let shots set in fridge for approx 2 hours (or longer depending on your fridge) to firm up.

Nutrition

Calories
33
Fat
1 g
Sodium
2 mg

Estimates for one serving.

Filed under Dessert Recipes Holiday Holiday

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