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

Jell-O shots are a layered, red-white-blue party drink made by dissolving gelatin, pouring in thirds, and chilling between layers for clean separation. These vodka jello shots turn glossy and jiggly in clear cups with a translucent patriotic look.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
setting & chilling 2 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Red layer
  • 1 box cherry or strawberry Jell-O
  • 3 cups boiling water, divided Use 1 cup for the red layer.
  • 0.5 cup cold vodka, divided Use 1/2 cup for the red layer.
White layer
  • 1 box unflavored gelatin (for white layer)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (for white layer)
  • 1 cup boiling water, divided Use 1 cup for the white layer.
  • 0.5 cup cold water (for white layer)
Blue layer
  • 1 box berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 cup boiling water, divided Use 1 cup for the blue layer.
  • 0.5 cup cold vodka, divided Use 1/2 cup for the blue layer.

Method
 

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

Notes

Pro tip: For the smoothest layers, cool the gelatin mixture to room temperature before pouring on top of the set layer so it won’t melt through. Refrigerate assembled shots in a covered container for up to 3 days; don’t freeze (texture becomes grainy). For a lower-alcohol option, replace the vodka 1:1 with cold water or an alcohol-free flavoring, keeping the chilling times the same.