Jello Shots for Every Occasion: Basic Recipe + 12 Variations

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Jello Shot Supplies

You typically don't need much to make jello shots unless you are making more specialty shots that include things floating in them. These kinds of jello shots are all the rage for Halloween. For basic jello shots, you should have almost all of the supplies you need in your house already.

• Bowl or saucepan for heating the water
• Microwave or stove for boiling the water
• Fork for mixing
• Tray to put them on to go in the refrigerator
• Measuring cup with a spout. The spout makes it much easier to control the jello as you pour.
• Containers to put the shots in. I have used many different methods, but my favorite is 2 oz. plastic cups with lids. This makes it easier to just throw them all in a cooler for easy access. You can also use paper Dixie cups.

1. Basic Jello Shot Recipe

Making jello shots is actually very simple. It is just like making regular jello with only one small modification. Instead of using all cold water to mix in the jello, choose one of the ratios below depending on how strong you would like your shots to be.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 (3-ounce) package jello mix
• Alcohol of your choice (depending on strength desired, see table below)
• Additional water (depending on strength desired, see table below)

Instructions

1. Heat 1 cup water to boiling.
2. Add jello and mix until dissolved.
3. Add cold water and alcohol in the ratio you have chosen (see table below).
4. Pour into containers.
5. Let refrigerate for 4 hours.

Yield: 20 jello shots

The general idea is that for every three ounces of jello mix, you need two cups of liquid. Half of the liquid, or enough to dissolve the jello, needs to be boiled, and then you add in the other liquids. You will typically want your non-alcoholic liquid to be what you heat up. Using this general idea, you can create any kind of jello shot you desire. Pick and choose your favorite flavor Jell-o, or use plain gelatin and flavorful liqueur. Add your favorite drink mixes or alcohols and make your own creation.

Jello Shot Ratio and Alcohol Strength

2. Margarita Jello Shots

This recipe is a fun twist on the classic Jello shot.

Ingredients

• 12 whole limes
• 1 cup limeade
• 2 envelopes plain gelatin
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 2 tbsp triple sec
• 1 tbsp sweetened lime juice
• 1 tbsp salt

Instructions

1. Cut the limes in half. Scoop out the insides.
2. Heat the limeade and gelatin over low heat until the gelatin has dissolved or about 5 minutes. Make sure to stir often.
3. Stir in the tequila, triple sec, and sweetened lime juice.
4. Once the mixture cools, pour into the lime halves.
5. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.
6. Cut the lime halves into 2-3 slices, sprinkle with salt, and serve.

3. Orange Slice Jello Shots

Not only are these shots delicious, but they're gorgeous to look at! Poured into orange slices, they'll impress any guest at your party.

Ingredients

• Oranges
• Jello
• Your choice of alcohol
• Water

Instructions

1. Cut oranges in half.
2. Scoop or cut out the insides of the oranges except for the skin.
3. Put orange skins on a cookie sheet.
4. Mix Jello with hot water as instructed in a bowl.
5. Add alcohol and cold water to the mixture. Choose a ratio that matches the strength you want the shot to be.
6. Once the jello mixture is cooled off, pour it into your orange halves. Make sure they are completely full.
7. Place oranges halves into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.
8. Cut each orange half into 4-6 slices and serve.
9. Keep refrigerated.

4. Jager Bomb Jello Shots

If you love Jager bombs, there is nothing better than a Jager bomb jello shot.

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) can Red Bull
• 1/2 cup Jagermeister
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 6 ounces orange jello

Instructions

1. Heat Red Bull in microwave or stovetop until boiling.
2. Mix in jello until it is completely dissolved.
3. Add water, vodka, and Jagermeister until it is fully mixed.
4. Pour into plastic cups and let them sit in the refrigerator until they have set (about 4 hours).

5. Fuzzy Navel Jello Shots

Anyone who loves peaches will be a fan of these shots. They're a fun variation of the Fuzzy Navel cocktail, and they're easy to make.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces orange jello
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 3/4 cup peach schnapps

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Add jello to the hot water and mix until dissolved.
3. Stir in vodka and peach schnapps.
4. Pour into shot containers.
5. Let sit in the refrigerator for about 4 hours.

6. Piña Colada Jello Shots

Piña coladas are always my drink of choice, so these are my favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup coconut rum
• 6 ounces plain gelatin

Instructions

1. Heat pineapple juice to boiling.
2. Add gelatin and mix until completely dissolved.
3. Add rum and mix together.
4. Pour into disposable plastic shot glasses.
5. Refrigerate for about 4 hours.

7. Strawberry Daiquiri Jello Shots

These shots are perfect for summer parties—but they'll be a hit in the winter months, as well.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces strawberry Jello
• 1 cup water
• 6 ounces rum
• 1 ounce sweet & sour mix or margarita mix

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Add in strawberry jello and mix until dissolved.
3. Add in the mix and rum and combine thoroughly.
4. Pour into containers and refrigerate for about 4 hours.

Other Serving Option

You can also make these shots more interesting by using strawberries as your serving container instead of shot glasses. Just cut the very top of the strawberry off where the stem is and scoop out the insides. Pour the mixture into the strawberries to set in the refrigerator.

8. Jolly Rancher Jello Shots

These are a must for all the candy lovers out there.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Sour Apple Pucker schnapps
• 1 package green apple jello
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Mix jello until it is dissolved in water.
3. Add cooled Sour Apple Pucker and mix well.
4. Pour into shot glasses and refrigerate for about 4 hours.

9. Halloween Brain Hemorrhage Jello Shots

There are so many different options and ideas when it comes to Halloween jello shots. They are some of my favorite to make and are so much fun. Below is my absolute favorite.

Ingredients

• 2 packages Knox plain gelatin
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup peach schnapps
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Irish Cream liqueur
• Cherry jello

Instructions

1. Put gelatin, water, and sugar in a saucepan on low heat until everything is dissolved.
2. Mix well and let cool until warm but not hot.
3. Mix in Peach schnapps.
4. Pour into clear serving containers and let stand at room temperature. Allow the gelatin to thicken but not completely set.
5. Use a medicine dropper or syringe to add a glob of Irish cream in the center of the shot. It should "float" in the gelatin.
6. Mix up a little bit of water with the cherry jello, just enough to get it to dissolve.
7. Use your dropper to put a few drops of the cherry jello on top of the Irish Cream you have added. This will serve as the blood for the brains.
8. Place shots in the refrigerator for about 4 hours and serve.

10. Rainbow Jello Shots

Rainbow jello shots are much easier to make than they look. The trick is that you have to pour each layer and then let it set before you add the next layer. If it is not fully set, the colors may run together and not look as cool as they should. Allow at least 3 hours for each layer to set. Make sure the next layer is at room temperature before pouring it onto the already set layer.

Make each layer in your desired flavor according to the basic jello shot instructions at the very top of this article. You can use different alcohols in each layer or all the same. It's up to you!

11. Fourth of July Jello Shots

Feeling patriotic? Get in the spirit with these red, white and blue shots.

Ingredients

• 3 oz. berry blue jello
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup Peach schnapps
• 1 cup water
• Maraschino cherries

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Mix in jello until fully dissolved.
3. Add vodka and Peach schnapps and mix well.
4. Pour into plastic cups.
5. Put one cherry in each shot with the stem sticking out of the jello. It will look like the fuse of a firecracker.
6. Refrigerate for 4 hours.

12. Dreamsicle Jello Shots

Everybody loves a Dreamsicle—and these shots will be no different.

Ingredients

• 3 oz. orange jello
• 1/2 cup whipped cream vodka
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Mix in jello until fully dissolved.
3. Add vodka and triple sec and mix well.
4. Pour into plastic cups.
5. Refrigerate for 4 hours.

13. Glow-in-the-Dark Jello Shots

You can basically make any jello shot glow in the dark. The trick is to use tonic water instead of normal tap or bottled water. The more tonic, the more it will glow!