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

Jell-O shots with clear, glossy red, white, and blue layers—made by dissolving each gelatin separately and carefully spooning/pouring over a fully set base. This easy jello shots recipe yields party-ready vodka jello shots with clean layers that jiggle when chilled.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
setting/resting 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherry or strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O Use one flavor for the red layer.
Berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O Use for the blue layer.
Unflavored gelatin (for white layer)
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin For the translucent white layer.
Sweetened condensed milk (for white layer)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk Helps make the white layer creamy and opaque.
Boiling water, divided
  • 3 cups boiling water Measure and divide for dissolving each layer.
Vodka, divided
  • 1.5 cups cold vodka Added to each colored layer; keep refrigerated until needed.
Cold water (for white layer)
  • 0.5 cup cold water Stabilizes and sets the white layer.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red layer
  1. In a bowl, dissolve the cherry or strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until completely dissolved, then whisk in 1/2 cup cold vodka and pour into shot cups filling one-third of the way.
  2. Refrigerate the cups for 45 minutes until fully set, keeping them level so the layer stays even.
Make and add the white layer
  1. In a bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, stirring until dissolved and glossy, then cool slightly.
  2. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then spoon gently over the set red layer to avoid disturbing it.
  3. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is fully set and no longer jiggles when nudged.
Make and add the blue layer
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved, then mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka.
  2. Cool to room temperature, then gently pour over the white layer to keep the top glossy and the layers distinct.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold.

Notes

For the cleanest red-white-blue separation, make sure each layer is fully set before adding the next and keep the next mixture cool (room temperature) so it doesn’t melt the layer below. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended because the texture can become grainy. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the vodka 1:1 with extra cold water and follow the same layering steps.