Go Back

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

Jell-O shots with glossy red, white, and blue layers made by dissolving gelatin, chilling between each pour, and adding vodka for the party-ready kick. This easy Jell-O shots recipe sets in clear plastic cups for neat, translucent slices—perfect as vodka jello shots for themed gatherings.
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
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherry or strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O Use either cherry or strawberry for the red layer.
Berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O Use to create the blue layer.
Unflavored gelatin (white layer)
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin Unflavored gelatin helps the white layer stay smooth and bright.
Sweetened condensed milk (white layer)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk Sweetens and thickens the white layer.
Boiling water (divided)
  • 3 cup boiling water Divided as 1 cup for each color layer and 1 cup for the white layer.
Cold vodka (divided)
  • 1.5 cup cold vodka Divided as 1/2 cup for each color layer; vodka is omitted if making non-alcoholic version.
Cold water (white layer)
  • 0.5 cup cold water Added to the white layer mixture after it cools slightly.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red layer
  1. Dissolve the cherry or strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until smooth. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, then pour into shot cups filling one-third of the way.
  2. Refrigerate for 45 minutes until fully set, keeping cups level so the surface is flat and glossy.
Make the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, stirring until completely dissolved. Cool slightly, add 1/2 cup cold water, then spoon gently over the set red layer.
  2. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is set and no longer jiggles when tapped lightly.
Make the blue layer
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until smooth. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, cool to room temperature, then gently pour over the white layer.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold for clean, unmixed layers.

Notes

Pro tip: Let each flavored mixture cool to room temperature before pouring to help prevent the previous layer from clouding or melting. Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; they do not freeze well due to texture changes. For a non-alcoholic swap, replace the vodka with an equal amount of cold water (or use 100% water) for a similar set.