Red White and Blue Jello Shots
Festive and patriotic, these Red, White, and Blue Jello Shots are the perfect way to celebrate the holidays and any summer get-together!
Why We Love Red White & Blue Jello Shots
- Distinctive and delicious layered jello shots are like a little celebration in every cup, so they’re perfect for any summer holiday or party!
- These 4th of July jello shots are incredibly popular and an eye-catching must-have at your BBQ.
- Each layer has its own flavor that’s great by itself, but delicious when eaten all together. So these red, white, and blue jello shots aren’t just pretty, they’re sweet and tasty too!
- It takes some time to create each layer, so it’s the perfect make-ahead treat. This recipe makes a lot of jello shots, so it’s well worth the time!
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Red White and Blue Shots with Jello
RED LAYER: To create the red layer, you will need any kind of red jello, such as cherry, strawberry, or raspberry. You will also need boiling water, vodka, and cold water.
WHITE LAYER: For the white layer, you will need sweetened condensed milk, a couple of packets of unflavored gelatin, boiling water, and vodka.
BLUE LAYER: For the last layer, you will need blue jello, such as berry blue or blue raspberry, along with boiling water, vodka, and cold water.
CUPS AND GARNISH: Be sure to pick up 2-ounce plastic cups with lids for these jello shots, and if you’d like to garnish them for the party, pick up a can of whipped cream and some colorful sprinkles.
How to Make Red White and Blue Jello Shots
Jump to RecipeSTEP 1 Arrange the plastic cups on a rimmed baking sheet and set the lids aside for later. Combine the red jello and the boiling water in a large measuring cup or a bowl with a pour spout, and stir until the jello is completely dissolved. Stir in the vodka and cold water. Pour the red jello mix into the cups, filling them 1/3 of the way full. Refrigerate the cups for at least an hour for the jello to set.
STEP 2 Combine the unflavored gelatin and boiling water in a large measuring cup or bowl and mix well. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vodka and let the mixture cool for 15-30 minutes. Once cool, carefully pour a layer over the red jello and put the jello shots back in the fridge to cool for an hour.
STEP 3 Whisk together the blue jello and boiling water until the jello has dissolved. Mix in the vodka and cold water, and then allow the jello to cool for 15-30 minutes. Once cool, carefully pour the blue layer over the white layer and put the jello shots back into the fridge to chill for 2 hours.
STEP 4 Set the jello shots out to serve, or pop the lids on and easily take them to the party! When you’re ready to serve the jello shots, you can garnish them with whipped cream and sprinkles, if you’d like!
Tips & Tricks
- I recommend using a rimmed tray or sheet pan to move the jello shots to and from the fridge between adding the layers to prevent the cups from sliding off the sides. I also like using 1/4 sheet pans so I don’t have to clear as much space in the fridge, and stacking the pans to save even more space.
- Be sure to purchase the plastic condiment cups that come with lids for easier storage and transportation. The lids also allow you to stack the jello shots, which takes up less space in the fridge once they’re set.
- Each layer needs to be firm before adding the next layer to prevent the layers from mixing and looking less crisp. Also, be sure that the white and blue layers are cool before adding them to prevent the layer underneath from melting.
- Let’s talk flavors! Substitute the vodka with tequila or rum for another layer of flavor. You can also add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, lemon, or coconut extract to the sweetened condensed milk layer for an extra burst of yumminess!
- Keep the jello shots in the refrigerator or on ice in a bowl or cooler until you are ready to serve them. This will help prevent the jello from softening and liquifying. You can store any leftover jello shots in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Jello Shots Red White and Blue FAQ
Is 1 cup of vodka too much for jello shots?
The more vodka you add to each layer, the stronger the taste and kick of the vodka will be. You can absolutely play with the vodka and water proportions in this recipe, adding as much as 1 cup of vodka. You want to make sure to keep the right ratio when making jello shots: 1 cup of boiling water + 3 ounces of flavored gelatin mix + 1 cup of cold liquid, which can be water, vodka, or a mix.
Can I put lids on Jello shots before they set?
Since there’s a chance that the jello can stick to the lids if they’re put on before the shots are set, it’s recommended that you wait until later to add them. If you need to put the lids on while the shots are setting, then you can, but be ready to cover up any tears with some delicious whipped cream and sprinkles!
Other Recipes You May Like
- Pina Colada Jello Shots
- Caramel Apple Jello Shots
- Pudding Shots
- Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots
- Arnold Palmer Jello Shots
Red White and Blue Jello Shots
Ingredients
Red Layer
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 ounces red jello (cherry, strawberry, or raspberry)
- ½ cup cold water
- ½ cup vodka
White Layer
- 1 cup boiling water
- 0.5 ounces unflavored gelatin (2 packets)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup vodka
Blue Layer
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 ounces blue jello (berry blue or blue raspberry)
- ½ cup cold water
- ½ cup vodka
Instructions
- Arrange 30 2-ounce plastic cups on a baking sheet. Set that aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl or spouted measuring cup, whisk together 1 cup boiling water and the 3 ounces red jello until completely dissolved. Whisk in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka until combined.
- Pour the red jello into each of the plastic cups, filling them 1/3 full each. Place the baking sheet with the cups in the fridge for 1 hour.
- After 30 minutes, whisk together 0.5 ounces unflavored gelatin and 1 cup boiling water in a medium mixing bowl or spouted measuring cup until completely dissolved. Whisk in 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 cup vodka until combined. Let cool for 15-30 minutes. (see note)
- Take the shots out of the fridge and pour the white layer over the red layer, until each cup is 2/3 full. Chill the shots for 1 hour in the fridge.
- After 30 minutes, whisk together 1 cup boiling water and 3 ounces blue jello in a medium mixing bowl or spouted measuring cup until completely dissolved. Whisk in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka until combined. Let cool for 15-30 minutes.
- Take the shots out of the fridge and pour the blue layer over the white layer until each cup is full. Chill the shots for 2 hours in the fridge, or until completely set.
- Just before serving, top with Whipped cream and Red, white & blue sprinkles if desired. (see note)
Notes
- 1 packet (0.25 oz | 7g) of Knox unflavored gelatin is equal to 2 ½ teaspoons. If you buy a canister or pouch of gelatin instead of packets, you can just pull out your measuring spoon.
- It’s important to let the jello cool down some before pouring it over the previous layer. This will help ensure it doesn’t melt the underlying layer and blend the colors together. It’s equally important to chill each layer for at least 1 hour before pouring on the next layer, for the same reason.
- Gelatin causes whipped cream to break down (quicker than you might expect). So it’s important not to add it on top until just before serving these shots. You can use Cool Whip if you prefer, as it will last longer.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.