10 Fun Jello Shot Recipes

Boozy Jigglers for Your Next Party

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 08/11/21
Jello Shots

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Jello shots are a fun addition to any party. Spiked with alcohol, these boozy jigglers are easy to make and come in every color and flavor imaginable.

While vodka is a popular option because of its neutral flavor, you'll find jelly shot recipes that use rum, tequila, whiskey, liqueurs, wine, and even a dark beer. Some are layered, and others are nice and simple. You can get pretty creative with the molds, too. Use these recipes for a party and let them inspire you to design your own spirited gelatin creations.

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Watch Now: 5 Jello Shots Perfect for Any Party

  • 01 of 10

    Basic Jello Shots

    Jell-O Shots
    The Spruce

    With the basic jello shots recipe, you can create spiked gelatin treats in any flavor you like. Simply pick a gelatin flavor and add the liquor of your choice. Go with the standard vodka or switch it up with rum, tequila, or whiskey. You can even use a combination of liquors and add flavored liqueurs to create a custom mix.

  • 02 of 10

    Whiskey Sour Jello Shots

    Whiskey Sour Jelly Shots
    Alexandra Grablewski / Getty Images

    Choose bourbon or a smooth blended whiskey and mix it with lemon juice and simple syrup for this whiskey sour jello shot recipe. Unflavored gelatin ensures that those three ingredients control the flavor as you replicate the sweet-sour taste of a whiskey sour. Add food coloring to give them any look you desire.

  • 03 of 10

    Banana Daiquiri Jelly Shots

    Banana Daiquiri Jelly Shots

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    The banana daiquiri is a delicious drink, which is why it also makes great jello shots. For this banana daiquiri jello shot recipe, you'll use a carefully balanced formula of rum, banana liqueur, and triple sec with banana gelatin. It's sweet, fruity, and might even be a little too good.

  • 04 of 10

    Margarita Jello Shots

    Margarita Jello Shots

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    Tart and tantalizing, margarita jello shots are always a hit. They're made with the cocktail's key ingredients: tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. While the recipe uses lime gelatin, you can switch it out for strawberry, pineapple, or other flavors to mimic your favorite margaritas.

    Jello Shot Shapes

    Jello shots are often made in small plastic cups. While that makes serving them easy, you can use any mold you like. Lightly greased candy molds, mini muffin tins, and ice cube trays offer a low-waste alternative. Or, pour the gelatin into a baking pan and cut it into bite-sized squares once it's set up. Regular shot glasses work, too, but you'll need small spoons to eat the jello.

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  • 05 of 10

    Pink Lemonade Jello Shots

    Pink Lemonade Champagne Jello Shots

    The Spruce

    Hollowed-out citrus fruits also make excellent jello molds. In this pink lemonade jello shot recipe, the lemon halves are filled with vodka-spiked gelatin flavored with pink lemonade. Once set, they're cut into wedges which makes eating them fun and easy.

  • 06 of 10

    Champagne Jello Shots

    sparkly champagne jello shots

    The Spruce

    Sparkling wine and lemon-lime soda give these Champagne jello shots a transparent but lively flavor. Easy to make with just four ingredients, including unflavored gelatin, you can add food coloring and form the gelatin in charming molds to fit your party's theme.

    We Baked 19 Cakes to Find the Best Bundt Pans Several bundt cakes and bundt pans on a kitchen counter
  • 07 of 10

    Caramel Apple Jello Shots

    Caramel Apple Jello Shots

    The Spruce

    With the look of a favorite fall treat, these caramel apple jello shots are ideal for autumn parties. Apples are used as the natural mold for the delicious apple cider, melted caramel, and caramel vodka gelatin. They're as yummy as they are cute and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

  • 08 of 10

    Candy Corn Orange Jello Shots

    Orange shooters

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga 

    Designed for Halloween parties but great for any celebration, these candy corn oranges are a lot of fun. Created in layers, the creamy white gelatin includes coconut milk and unflavored gelatin while the other uses orange gelatin. Both are spiked with orange liqueur, and orange shells form a mold.

    Making Layered Jello Shots

    Layering jello takes more time and attention. The trick is to let each layer set up just enough so the colors don't bleed when you add the next layer. This usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and if the layers get too solid, the shots may come apart once out of the mold. You can do this with any jello shots and mix and match flavors for colorful and tasty new creations.

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  • 09 of 10

    Guinness & Green Jelly Shot

    Guinness & Green Jell-O Shots

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    A pint of Guinness offers many food options, and it's a great foundation for this recipe. The dark stout is not alone in the Guinness & green jelly shot, though. Irish whiskey joins the beer in the dark layer, then Irish cream-infused gelatin forms the top. Green food coloring makes it worthy of a St. Patrick's Day bash; skip it, and the shot looks like a mini glass of Guinness, complete with the foamy head.

  • 10 of 10

    Rainbow Cake Jello Shots

    Rainbow cake Jello Shots

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

    When you really want showstopping jello shots, try this rainbow cake recipe. The colorful shots include lemonade, sweetened condensed milk, and a sweet vodka like whipped cream, cake, or vanilla. Once set up, unmold them and add decorations to create little birthday cake-like party favors.