Looking for a patriotic way to celebrate? These Red, White and Blue Jello shots are boozy, sweet, and so much fun!
Layering alcoholic Jello in a shot glass can only be made complete with whipped cream topping and sprinkles! And this foolproof recipe will make you the life of the party.
As a busy mom who still likes to let loose every now and then, I love a fun and festive recipe that will bring the party to the next level without entirely too much effort.
That’s why we are using whipped cream as our white layer, which is so much quicker and easier than making a third layer of opaque white Jello that can be finicky.
And after testing it both ways, I actually prefer the taste and texture the whipped cream adds (on top of the unnecessary time and effort it saves!). Plus, this means that only 5 ingredients are needed to make these fun little shooters!
These are great for Independence Day and Memorial Day, as they’re both patriotic and refreshing! (I also love mixing up this Whiskey Blues Cocktail for these occasions! You can garnish the deep blue cocktail with a strawberry for a red, white, and blue effect!).
Red, White & Blue Jello Shots Ingredients
You only need a few things, but timing is everything in this recipe, so making sure you have everything you need before getting started is key! Here’s all the ingredients:
- Red Jello. Strawberry, raspberry, cherry or cranberry work. I like strawberry and raspberry best, as they mesh well with the berry blue! Sugar-free works.
- Blue Jello. Berry blue flavor. Sugar-free works.
- Whipped cream.
- Water.
- Vodka. I use plain as there is enough flavor added by the Jello mix, but if you want to use a flavored vodka, just make sure it will work well with the Jello flavors (maybe something like lemon, orange, or even vanilla would be best, but I have only tested these with plain!).
Tested Substitutions
I use vodka in this recipe because I love how it tastes with the berry flavor of the Jello. But if you’re not a vodka person, there are other options, too!
I’ve made these with Everclear and tequila with success (but please note, the taste of the alcohol is VERY prevalent with these). Any clear liquor should work, so long as it’s ice-cold!
You can also make these non-alcoholic for a fun sweet treat! Just use ice-cold water instead of ice-cold liquor.
Patriotic Jello Shots Tips and Tricks
Jello Requires Hot and Cold
To get that jiggly perfection, you need hot water and ice-cold vodka. Bring your water to a boil, then pour the Jello powder directly into the pot. Stir until it’s dissolved, then pour it right into your ice-cold vodka.
If you store your vodka in the freezer, then you’re good to go! If not, measure your vodka out and stick it in the freezer to cool down while you’re dissolving the Jello in boiling water.
You’ll do this same technique for both the red and blue Jello packets. Do the red first, let it set in the freezer, and then whip up the blue. Don’t make your blue Jello layer too early, it may solidify in your measuring cup before you get a chance to pour it into your shot glass.
I used these clear shot glasses which show off the red, white, and blue theme perfectly!
Be Patient
In order to get those gorgeous layers, it’s important to make sure your first layer is solid before pouring on your next.
Once you pour your red Jello into your shot glasses, stick them in the freezer for 30 minutes to quickly solidify your first layer of Jello.
Then, you can pour your blue Jello on top to get those gorgeous layers! It’s best to give the blue Jello a couple of minutes to cool down after boiling so it’s not piping hot when you pour it on top of the red.
How to Store and Save Jello Shots
If you don’t finish these all in one sitting, have no fear! Jello lasts covered in the refrigerator for up to ten days. However, the whipped cream will only stay stable for 2-3 days.
If you’re making them ahead of time, just add the whipped cream and sprinkles right before serving for best results.
This recipe is for 6 Jello shots, but you can make up to 24 shots with two 3-ounce boxes of Jello powder. If you’re using the whole box of powder, you will need 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of ice-cold vodka.
Why You Should Make These Red White & Blue Jello Shots
- They’re patriotic! Those vibrant colors are only matched by the fruity flavors.
- They’re a party in a glass. Strong enough to detect the alcohol, but sweet enough to be a treat.
- The whipped cream and sprinkles on top. There’s nothing better!
5-Ingredient Red White & Blue Jello Shots
SAVE RECIPE TO COLLECTION PIN PRINT RATEEquipment
Ingredients
Red Jello Layer
- 2 tablespoons red jello powder
- ¼ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup vodka (ice cold)
Blue Jello Layer
- 2 tablespoons blue jello powder
- ¼ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup vodka (ice cold)
- 3 tablespoons whipped cream
- 2 tablespoons red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Red Jello Layer
- Measure out 1/4 cup of vodka and stick it in the freezer to get cold.¼ cup vodka
- Bring 1/4 cup water to a boil. Once it’s boiling, remove from heat and pour in red jello powder. Whisk until completely dissolved.2 tablespoons red jello powder, ¼ cup boiling water
- Pour hot water and jello mixture into the ice-cold vodka and stir until combined.
- Pour red jello mixture into shot glasses, filling them almost halfway. Stick them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to solidify.
Blue Jello Layer
- Measure out another 1/4 cup of vodka and stick it in the freezer to get cold.¼ cup vodka
- Once the red jello has solidified, bring 1/4 cup water to a boil. Once it’s boiling, remove from heat and pour in blue jello powder. Whisk until completely dissolved.2 tablespoons blue jello powder, ¼ cup boiling water
- Pour hot water and jello mixture into the ice-cold vodka and stir until combined.
- Pour blue jello mixture on top of the red jello, filling the shot glass almost to the top.
- Place your shot glasses in the refrigerator to allow the jello to completely solidify—about 4 hours.
- Add whipped cream on top and sprinkles (optional) for extra festive flair!3 tablespoons whipped cream, 2 tablespoons red, white, and blue sprinkles
Pro Tips
- You can make up to 24 shots with two 3-ounce boxes of jello powder. If you’re using the whole box of powder, you will need 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of ice-cold vodka.
