How to Make Vodka Jello Shots (2024)

Vodka Jello Shots are a classic party co*cktail 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 co*cktail ever! Vodka jello shots have been a staple with my friends and me ever since our 20s. We’d make them for Saturdaynights 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 aboutjello 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 co*cktail-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 Recipe

STEP 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