There are several pins on pinterest that show off red, white & blue jello shots, however very few of them include a recipe or how-to, so I thought it would be nice to share how I made my layered jello shots for my 4th of July party last week! They are fairly easy to make and were a big hit at the party! Pin now and save for next year’s 4th of July!
Red, White & Blue Jello Shots Recipe (makes about 45 shots):
You will need:
-1 3oz package of blue Jello
-1 3oz package of red Jello
-2 packets of Knox gelatin
-1 cup of coconut milk
-1/2 cup sugar
-3 cups (divided) of alcohol of choice (flavored or plain vodka works well)
-water
-jello shot cups
First set up your shot cups. I like to spread mine out on baking sheets for easy transport to and from the fridge. I bought 2 oz shot cups from the party store. You do not need to spray with cooking spray or otherwise prepare the cups.
Step 1: Make the Red layer
- In a bowl add 1 cup of boiling water to the red jello, stir well until dissolved, let cool a few minutes.
- Add 1 cup of alcohol (I used whipped cream flavored vodka), stir.
- Pour into jello shot cups, spreading evenly across the cups so there is a layer of red in each.
- Transfer to fridge and let them set. Package directions say 4 hours, I let mine set overnight so they would be extra firm before I added the next layer! If you skip this step, your colors will mix when you add the next ones and you will no longer have a layer effect! If you are rushed I would let them set at least 30 minutes.
A lot of red, white and blue jello shots use whipped cream as the white layer. That is yummy, but here is how to make a white layer that is also gelatin and contains alcohol for a full on jello shot!
Step 2: The White Layer
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup coconut milk to a saucepan and sprinkle the Knox over it.
- Turn on the heat to low and stir well, cooking on low until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Allow to cool several minutes and then add 1 cup of alcohol (I used whipped cream vodka)
- Carefully add the white layer to your red layer in each cup. Mine was too hot and started mixing in some of them so I used a spoon to add it! But, if it’s cooled enough you can pour it (slowly!)
- Transfer to fridge and allow to completely cool and set (same as the red layer)
Note: be sure to use clear alcohol or white liquor for this step so it stays white!
Step 3: The Blue Layer
- In a bowl add 1 cup of boiling water to the blue jello, stir well until dissolved, let cool a few minutes.
- Add 1 cup of alcohol (I used regular vodka), stir. Allow to cool several minutes.
- Carefully add the blue over the white layer, slowly so it doesn’t mix!
- Transfer to fridge and allow to set before eating!
Enjoy!
A few thoughts on making layered jello shots:
- Be sure to let the layers fully set before you start adding the next one!
Otherwise they will start mixing and you will have pink instead of red
and white! - It is helpful to let the new layer cool a little in
the mixing bowl before you start pouring it in for the same reason as
above. - I recommend leaving your trays in the fridge until you are completely ready to add the next layer.
- I make my shots will half water and half alcohol. So, for a 2 ounce shot
(as pictured above) it is about 1 ounce of alcohol. Some people think
these are “strong,” if you want a weaker shot you can use more cold
water instead of alcohol, as long as it still equals to a cup.
These look great, Rachel. 🙂 Pinning to try next year for sure. Thanks for sharing!
These are adorable! Definitely pinning. I can see why they were such a hit!
Love this idea, these are so cute!
So cute – thanks for sharing!
Sarah
aroseinthecity0.blogspot.com
cute! I tried to make a red white and blue smoothie but the colors just swirled
Thanks for stopping by at the Tasty Tuesday linkup party today!
Pinning the shots 🙂
I'm hopping over from the Tasty Tuesday link up. These are adorable! I've never tried layered jello shots but they certainly look festive.
Definitely going to try this year!!
What jello flavors (red and blue) are you using?
Hi Stephanie- I used blue raspberry and for the red I used cherry.
Thanks! Also, how long would you say the whole process of making these are?
Can you use sweeten condensed milk instead of coconut milk?
I’m not sure, but I think it would be too thick and change the consistency of the shot to be very “chewy!” I picked coconut milk because the flavor is so neutral and goes well with the other fruit and vodka flavors. If you are against coconut milk maybe try some light cream? Let me know what you decide!
I thought these looked great for a Memorial Day party! I reduced the vodka to 1/2 cup in the jello parts and just replaced that missing 1/2 cup with water. The white layer I think next time I will just leave the vodka out altogether, and let it be a sweet section in the middle without alcohol. These turned out great and I know they will be a hit at the party!! The alcohol amounts are adjustable to your taste, so you just have to make them and try to see if you like them as is or a little weaker. Start these 2 days before your event so you aren’t rushing with the chilling and making the layers!
Hi! Do you need to add sugar to the white layer or can it be left out? Thanks!
You can leave the sugar out, but that layer will be a little bland tasting.
I made these last year for our 4th of July party! they were a HUGE hit! Maybe a bit too toxic! I am in the process of making them again for this 4th of July beach trip…
Awesome! Glad you liked them!
How many does this make?
It makes approx 24 shots (2 ounces each)
Is it two envelops of Knox 1oz box for the white layer?
Yummy! At first I thought you meant a kids recipe but now I see they have alcohol in them! The look like a lot of fun to make.
Definitely not for kids! 😉 although you can replace the alcohol with water and it would be kid friendly.
A nice idea for a St Patrick’s Day party too – in green, white and orange.
Never made or even tasted a jello shot in my life 🙊🙈🙊🙈 i should try, these look fun!!
Love this idea! Did you use coconut milk out of a can or from the fridge section (by dairy milk)?
I used the canned kind!
Hi-so if you let each layer sit overnight, it takes three nights to make? I want to make these for the Fourth, just want to make sure I have allow myself enough time. I want the layer effect which is the whole point!
You don’t have to wait overnight for each one but I would let it set for at least 4-6 hours. Just check after 4 hours to make sure it’s really set (not sticky) before doing the next one!
Do you cober them with a lid over night?
Do you cover these over night with each layer?
You can! I usually only cover it at the end. You could cover with a sheet of wax paper so you don’t have to do each one individually each night. You also don’t HAVE to leave it overnight. Four to five hours should be fine!
Okay did I miss something? The white layer instructions did not yield optimal results. I had to boil the water and gelatin, then add the coconut milk. Following it step by step made the gelatin curdle (?!)
I’m really not sure. Did you let the gelatin bloom? You have to let it sit for a minute or two before you cook it. Did you use canned coconut milk or fresh from the refrigerator section? Maybe that makes a difference. Plain gelatin does sometimes leave chunks behind but you can pour it through a strainer to remove them and it should still set to jelly. Did you boil the water and coconut together? That’s what I do.
Just made them for our All American Alcohol party tonight, they were so easy! I used the leftovers without alcohol for my kiddos of the coconut!! Thanks for the recipe. I look forward to tasting them tonight!!
Do you add Knox to all layers or just the white layer?
Just the white layer. The other layers are regular jello