Vodka Jello Shots are a classic party cocktail that’s easy to make and can be made in any flavor you love! Make a bunch, they go fast!
Why We Love Jello Shots
- Jello shots are hands down the most beloved college party cocktail ever! Vodka jello shots have been a staple with my friends and me ever since our 20s. We’d make them for Saturday nights at my friend Chris’s house, take them tubing down the Salt River, and they’d pop up just about every time someone had a party.
- Honestly, what’s not to love about jello shots?! They’re easy to make, everyone loves them, and the variety of colors makes them extra fun. So clear out some space in your fridge and let’s get mixing!
- This is your basic vodka jello shots recipe. We’re not making them from scratch with unflavored gelatin. We’re using boxes of flavored Jell-O gelatin mix to make these jell o shots. While I love cocktail-inspired jello shots, these classic jello shots with vodka are my go-to for any occasion that warrants ’em.
- The only real decision you have to make for this recipe is which flavor of Jell-O (and vodka) you want to use. Decisions decisions.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Vodka Jello Shots
WATER: Just like regular jello, you’ll need some water for these shots.
JELLO MIX: This recipe uses 3-ounce boxes of jello. You can grab any flavor you like. If you can only find 6-ounce boxes, be sure to double the rest of the ingredients and have more cups on hand.
VODKA: You need regular vodka for standard jello shots. (I have flavored vodka recommendations below.) But the best vodka for jello shots is a good middle-shelf option.
I’m not talking about high-end $35 a bottle stuff. That’s for martinis and vodka sodas. A $12 bottle of Absolut or Smirnoff will work just fine. Just don’t pick a bottom shelf big plastic bottle. The cheaper vodka will come through in the shots and punch you in the face. You want a vodka that’s a little smoother.
How to Make Jello Shots
Jump to RecipeSTEP 1 Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Then pour a 3-ounce box of gelatin mix into a medium mixing bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup. Pour the boiling water over the jello and whisk until the jello is completely dissolved. Add the vodka and cold water to the mixing bowl and give everything a whisk to mix it all up
STEP 2 Place the plastic jello shot cups on a baking sheet without the lids. (Doing this makes the shots easier to move around.) Pour the jello mixture into plastic cups and chill in the fridge until set, about 2 hours.
STEP 3 Once the jello shots are set you can top them with the lids for storing and to make them travel-friendly. You can serve the shots as is or add a swirl of whipped cream on top just before eating.
Tips & Tricks
- You’ll get about 10 to 12 vodka jello shots per 3.1-ounce box of Jell-O. So if you’re making your shots all one flavor be sure to grab a few boxes so you’ll have enough for everyone.
- Black cherry, grape, and berry blue jello mixes are my favorites when I’m making a lot of shots. But since vodka is a neutral spirit you can use ANY jello flavor you love best!
- If you’re topping the shots with whipped cream, wait until the last minute. The gelatin will break down the whipped cream and it’ll look melted after a few minutes. Option B would be to use Cool Whip instead.
There are TONs of flavor combinations you can try with a box of jello and flavored vodka, these are some of my favorites…
🍒🍈 Lime vodka + Cherry gelatin = Cherry Limeade
🍑🍑 Vanilla vodka + Peach gelatin = Peach Cobbler
🍋🥧 Whipped vodka + Lemon gelatin = Lemon Meringue Pie
🥥🍍 Coconut vodka + Pineapple gelatin = Tropical Punch
🍓🍰 Cake vodka + Strawberry gelatin = Strawberry Shortcake
Jello Shots Recipe FAQs
How long does it take to make jello shots?
The mixing and pouring part? About 5 minutes. The hard part is waiting for the shots to set up.
How long do jello shots take to set?
They take between 2 to 3 hours to set up all the way.
If the jello is still liquidy after the allotted time, something in your liquid-to-gelatin ratio was off.
How long are jello shots good for?
You should eat your shots within a week. Two weeks at the absolute most! After that, the gelatin will start to break down and they will have a weird texture and the taste isn’t great.
Can you get drunk off jello shots?
Eventually. The truth is while you may get a big alcohol taste, there isn’t really that much in each shot. You’d need about 4 jello shots to equal 1 shot of booze.
How much alcohol is in a jello shot?
This jello shot recipe uses 1/2 cup vodka for 12 shots = 1/3 ounce vodka per shot. That’s 4 jello shots to equal 1 regular shot of vodka.
Even if you take out the cold water and use 1 cup vodka = that’s still only 2/3 ounce vodka per shot. This is typical of jello shots. That’s 2 jello shots to equal 1 shot.
How do you take jello shots?
If you’re using the type of cups pictured here, run your finger around the outer edge of the shot and then suck it out of the cup.
Now they have these squeezable jello shot cups and they are pretty awesome! You don’t have to get your fingers dirty and they’re easy to squeeze. No fighting the plastic to get your shot!
Love the idea of jello shot syringes? Me too! I even made Halloween jello shots in some. The thing here is that you need 2-ounce syringes. They’re big. Like bigger than you’d normally expect, but they are the same amount of jello as these little cups. You could always buy the smaller syringes, you’ll just need more of them to get a buzz.
Other Jello Shot Recipes You May Like
- Peach Fizz Jello Shots
- Bomb Pop Jello Shots
- Pina Colada Jello Shots
- Margarita Tequila Jello Shots
- Black Magic Jello Shots
- Arnold Palmer Jello Shots
- Moscow Mule Jello Shots
- Bacon Bourbon Apple Jello Shots
- Whipped Cream Vodka Jello Shots
- Champagne Jello Shots
- Irish Car Bomb Jello Shots
- Creamsicle Jello Shots
- Grasshopper Jello Shots
- Peach Fizz Jello Shots
Vodka Jello Shots
Ingredients
- 3 ounces flavored gelatin mix
- 1 cup water boiling
- ½ cup water cold
- ½ cup vodka (see note)
Equipment
Instructions
- Layout plastic cups on a baking sheet without the lids on. Set aside.
- Pour the gelatin mix into a medium mixing bowl or 4-cup liquid measuring cup. Pour the boiling water into the bowl and whisk until gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour in the vodka and cold water and whisk once more to combine.
- Pour the jello mixture into the plastic cups, filling about 3/4 full so there is room for the lid to be put on later.
- Refrigerate the shots for 2-3 hours or until set. Put a lid on each cup and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can use any flavor of Jell-O you like. I grabbed grape, orange, cherry, lime, and berry blue. Each 3-ounce box of gelatin mix will make about 10 shots, so it’s good to make a few different flavors.
- Want to kick these shots up a notch? Omit the 1/2 cup cold water and use 1 cup of vodka instead. Just be sure to warn your friends!
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.
Anthony Allen says
I made these the other day but put them in a cupcake pan and topped with whip cream.. I used gray goose vodka and omg they were amazing. Thanks for the recipe worked well
Julie Espy says
Awesome Anthony! I’m so glad they worked out so well for you!!
Ms.K says
What kind of pan did you use to get them out of the cupcake pan in tact?
Julie Espy says
Hi Ms. K! You can use a silicone pan so you can pop out the shots or give your muffin tin a quick spray of coconut oil (or cooking oil if you’re cool with that) so the jello releases.
Kathy says
Don’t use a rusty cupcake pan. Best to use the mini cupcake pans. Can you freeze them for faster use?
Julie Espy says
Hi Kathy! I don’t recommend freezing the jello shots. They’ll keep in the fridge for a few days if you need to make them ahead of time. That being said, if you HAVE to freeze them, you can. They’ll last for about 2 weeks in the freezer. Then thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.
Di says
Maybe after they’re frozen they I can put them in a cupcake foil like paper cups ? I just don’t want everybody touching them right ? or even a toothpick maybe before they’re completely frozen. But yes I have a little baby cupcake pan I’m gonna try to in
Susan Dubose says
Looks colorful! My kids asked me to make them.
jack says
hahahahahah so funny!
Sophie Anderson says
Super simple to make, I wound up making cups instead of regular little shots! I did grape and black cherry ones and used strawberry vodka.
Ms. K says
What type of pan are you using to release the jello, plz?
Anne Cannon says
How long are Jell-O vodka shots good for? I made them on New Years Eve and now I am on a 21 day challenge with no alcohol. Will they still be good on January 23?
Julie Espy says
Hi Anne! They’re not going to last that long and still have a good taste/texture. You can get about a week to a week and a half out of these shots. The gelatin starts to get more solid as they sit in the fridge and it can get gross. I don’t want that for you. 🙂
Amy Thrift says
I made some when i moved in to my 1st apartment like 5 years ago…. I lived with my dad and he was sober so no drinking…. I was so excoted to be able to drink at home…… Anyway, i did them that night and had made like 50 of them (idk why) and then forgot about them (probably had like 10 between me and my friend and they were made with 1 cup of alcohol and were taller cups) and like a month or 2 or so later I found them and decided “ok im so eating a bunch of these tonight” grabbed like 4 to go sit down and then have while i watch tv. When i toched it, to get it out of the cup i thought it felt weird but i wasnt sure as i normally just carry a butter knife or tooth pick with me when im doing jello shots, but as soon as it was in my mouth i knew something was wrong….. It was gritty textured and tasted foul. I was so pissed because i had to throw so many away because i used like 2 whole bottles of alcohol (1 vodka 1 rum).
Julie Espy says
Jello shots definitely have a shelf life. You want to eat them within a week or so of making them. The gelatin will start breaking down and then… well you know.
Morgan says
Does the vodka need to be cold?
Julie Kotzbach says
The vodka does not need to be cold. It’s fine if it is, just not a requirement.
Cindy says
Thanks for a great recipe and the nostalgic memory of tubing the Salt! I no longer live in Az but have great memories of all the desert fun!!
Julie Espy says
Tubing is seriously the best! Glad I could bring back that memory. 🙂
Brandi says
How far in advance can you make these? I have a party Friday but would like to not make them last minute unless it’s necassary. I was hoping to make them a day or two before?
Julie Espy says
A day or two ahead of time is just fine. Be sure to keep them in the fridge with the lids on. 🙂
Kylie Miller says
how strong are the shots with only 1/2 cup of vodka?
terri says
I was planning to make them in a corningware casserole rectangular glass dish that will work too I hope and then i was going to cut them into cubes and use the next day.
Julie Espy says
Hi Terri! You can absolutely do that! if the jello sticks a bit, dip the bottom of the dish in warm water for about 10 seconds to help it release. 🙂
JJ says
A tip: let your boiling water a gelatin cool a bit before adding alcohol. This prevents your alcohol from boiling out resulting in weaker shots than intended.
Julie Espy says
Good call! I usually bring my water just to simmering so it’s hot enough to melt the gelatin/jello mix without evaporating the alcohol. 🙂
Chelle says
Even better tip, replace cold water with ice.
Let it melt completely and then add the vodka.
Corey says
Great basic recipe! We always make ours then freeze them to set! Let them thaw an hour or so in the fridge before you want to eat!
Julie Espy says
Freezing them is a great idea! Especially if you’re taking them along with you in the summer. No melting, just nice cool shots later. 😀
Shawn says
I need to make a large amount of jello shots for a benefit dinner(250). What is the best way to make such a large amount?
Julie Espy says
Hi Shawn! You can totally make large batches of the jello shots. Just multiply in ingredients accordingly and make sure the jello powder all dissolves.
So say for example you’re making 5 flavors – 50 shots per flavor – you’d want 5 boxes of jello, 5 cups boiling water, 2 1/2 cups cold water, and 2 1/2 cup vodka per flavor.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Nessebeth says
Probably a silly question, but I bought the big 6 ounce box. Do you just double everything and it still works out? Has anyone every doubled and used the big box of Jello?
Julie Espy says
Pretty much! You’ll use the amount of hot water listed on the box and mix it with the jello powder. Then use 1/2 the amount of cold water listed and make the other half vodka, OR use all vodka instead of cold water if you want them really strong.
Monica says
Hi there!
I was thinking of making Jell-O shots, probably blue berry flavoured, I was wondering if I could replace the cold water with sprite/seven up instead?
and then also use either vodka or rum?
Thank you!
Julie Espy says
Hi Monica! You can totally use a lemon-lime soda in place of the cold water! I would stick with vodka for the berry blue flavor. Silver rum goes better with the lime jello, kind of like a daiquiri, or pineapple.
Monica says
Awesome, thank you so much!
Caroline says
Excited to make these tonight for a party we’re having tomorrow! Quick question, if you use 1 cup of vodka for a stronger flavor, should the alcohol be cold since you are replacing the cold water? I just want to make sure I make them correctly. Thanks!!!
Julie Espy says
Hi Caroline! Room temperature vodka (or cold) is just fine. Adding cold water helps bring down the jello temp so it’ll cool sooner and not melt the plastic cups.
frysmith says
I have never seen this method, definitely try it right away
Callie says
These are fantastic! Next I want to try that champagne punch – now to convince the hubs I need another girls night in ?
Amy says
Jello, came out with Cotton candy flavored, with Wonder woman, on the front at my local Grocer Outlet I grabbed 8 and we are making them, since we our out of school, for 6 weeks when we get closer to Memorial day, and we can get our travel trailer, undo and ready for summer, and lots of summer fun, and several flavor of Jello, orange, grape, strawberry, shots, they are so good.
Patrick says
These are STRONG! I would cut the vodka in half next time.
patricia says
julie you are bests
Susan Dubose says
I always forget the ratio when making Jell-O shots, but these were so easy to make and they set up perfectly!
Karen Riley says
Thanks a lot Julie. Here I was thinking I’d jump on here and learn to make jello shots real quick. But nnnoooo! You had to go making red, white and blue ones (it’s 4th of July). And if that wasn’t enough, then you had to mention bomb pop jello shots and the black magic…4th of July will be all popped out by the time I finish making all these yummy shots and the whole apartment complex will be drunk!!! Thanks for all the great ideas. As far as the black magic, I’m gonna try something red, blue and white sugar on top (???). Cant wait to get started…headed to the kitchen now and the grocery store and liquor stores as soon as they open ??
Lori says
We should eat your shots within a week. Because it’s even taken all by my kid just some days.
Emily Stimpson says
That’s easy to whip up and can be made in any flavor of Jello you love!
Nicole Albavera says
Hey I know this might be a little late, but I’m planning on making 50 Jell-O shots! What is the best way to make these ?
Julie Espy says
Hi Nicole! Layout two baking sheets, set up your cups, mix, and pour! If you’re making all one flavor/color you can mix all the jello at once. If you want a rainbow of colors, you’ll want 5 different jello flavors (since the small boxes make 10 shots each).
Kat says
You can totally make large batches of the jello shots. Just multiply in ingredients accordingly and make sure the jello powder all dissolves.
So say for example you’re making 5 flavors – 50 shots per flavor – you’d want 5 boxes of jello, 5 cups boiling water, 2 1/2 cups cold water, and 2 1/2 cup vodka per flavor.
Hope this helps! 🙂
REPLY
Tammy P. says
After properly chilled, will they travel well in a cooler for about a 3 hour road trip??
Julie Espy says
Hi Tammy! Yes, after the shots set you can pop them in a cooler with some freezer packs and they’ll be just fine.
Dianna says
I just love the Salt River tubing reference! Question, I have some glittery sugar free jello, think these would set up ok? I’ve made regular jello shots lots of times for tibing. But we have an event coming up in s few weeks I’d love to make glitter ones for but can only find in sugar free :/
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Dianna! Any jello gelatin mix will work the same for this recipe – so your sugar-free glittery stuff is good to go. If you want to add your own glitter to regular jello for these shots, you can buy disco dust. It’s a food-grade edible glitter used for cake decorating. It comes in a bunch of colors and a little goes a long way. 🙂
https://amzn.to/3vmn1k4
Sandra says
I use 2 jello (3 oz) and 1 1/2 hot water and 1/2 liquor I didn’t add cold water will it come out right
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Sandra! Yes, they’ll be fine. The jello will just take longer to cool all the way and set up. 🙂
Emmett says
Gong to make some of these for a 4th of July party, I’m thinking red and blue Jello flavors, then whipped cream on top! Would sugar free Jello work for this?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Emmett! Yes, sugar-free jello will set up the same as regular. 🙂
Bill McLeish says
Good recipe but disappointed at the use of so much plastic… The world is in trouble with plastic pollution already, why use something that will take 1000 years to degrade instead of glass or ceramic which can be washed and re-used?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Bill. You can absolutely make these shots in a glass baking dish (turn them out and cut into squares) or silicone molds or glass shot glasses. The plastic cups are so you can pack them up and take them to a party, tubing, poolside, etc.
Amy Duffy says
I do these in the smallest size Dixie cup I can find, Bill. Maybe others are doing the same– or in other molds.
Jessica says
Do you need to use cups with lids?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Jessica! You don’t have to use the little cups with lids. They’re just convenient for throwing the shots into a cooler or stacking them. You can make the shots in a baking pan or (mini) muffin tin coated with nonstick spray, silicone molds, glass shot glasses, or even a retro jello mold if you make a big enough batch. Whatever you’re feelin’.
Danielle says
Fun fact! After you pour them in the plastic cup, put the lid on and turn them upside on the baking sheet before popping them in the fridge. This way when they set, they’ll be stuck on the lid portion for easier removal without having to use your finger to get them out!
GrammarCooks says
It took 12 minutes and I’ve made both a regular and a sugar free batch. I’m glad I checked ahead of time to see if I was supposed to keep the lids off until after they’re set, because I would’ve just put the lids on, but now that I think about it, it’ll take longer for it to cool if the lids are on. I’ve got D&D in 2 hours and I’m ready to slap those lids on and pack them up for all my friends. 🙂
Hannah says
This reminds me of a funny story!
My hubby and I made pudding shots for an outing and gave everybody some, skipping over my MOL(knowing she would decline), after which she indignantly demanded that we don’t leave her out. Okay??? We gave her a handful of pudding shots. “These are so yummy and so fun! Is that rum extract? We should make these for the youth group!” 😂😂😂 No. No, we definitely should NOT.
Julie Kotzbach says
Bwahahahahaha! Love it!
Bonnie says
How durable are these if they’re not kept cold? I’m guessing the end product doesn’t need to be kept terribly cold since they’re good for tubing? We’re either tubing or doing a party in the country, so no refrigeration and it may take a while to get there but I’ve got an ice chest.
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Bonnie! An ice chest should be fine as long as the jello shots are completely set before you pop them in. Worst case scenario they’ll get a little loose and have some “juice” around the edges. We’ve taken them tubing a number of times and they do fine in the ice chest. 🙂
Sam says
Will the help set of I use 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup ever clear?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Sam. You can totally swap the vodka for Everclear. Just hang onto your butt once you’ve had a few. 😉
Martin says
If you want another great combo, orange jello and raspberry vodka is amazing! I love mixing a cup of Fanta orange with 2 shots or so of raspberry vodka, and this jello shot combo is just like it!
Penny says
If I want to layer the colors, do I wait until each color is set before I pour the next color on?
Julie Kotzbach says
Hi Penny! Yes, you’ll need to let the first layer set for about 1 hour before you can pour in the next color. That way the jello is set enough that the second layer won’t mix into the first. 🙂