One of the more creative ways to serve alcohol at a party is to make colorful, fruity Jello Shots. The process of making jello shots is very easy, and not too different from making regular jello. This article will teach you how to make some delicious simple Jello Shots, as well as provide some creative variations of the traditional form.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Traditional Jello Shots
Step 1. Gather your materials
To make approximately 32 1-ounce (30 ml) cups, all you need is:
- 1 pack 6 ounces Jello (170 grams)
- About 3 cups of water
- Approximately 1 glass of cold alcohol of your choice
Step 2. Mix water and alcohol to make 2 cups
The proportion will depend on the level of alcohol you use. Use the following ratios to ensure a shot will take shape:
- 13 ounces (26 tablespoons, 390 ml) 30 to 50 (~20%) alcohol content with 3 ounces (6 tablespoons, 90 ml) water
- 10 ounces (20 tablespoons, 300 ml) 80 to 100 (~45%) alcohol content with 6 ounces (12 tablespoons, 180 ml) water
- 6 ounces (12 tablespoons, 180 ml) 150 to 200 alcohol content with 10 ounces (20 tablespoons, 300 ml) water
Step 3. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to cool
Wait for the mixture to cool completely before moving on to the next step. This is important because the temperature at which alcohol evaporates (boiling point) is 78.6 degrees C (173°F). Later you will mix the alcohol with water that has just been boiled at 100 degrees C (212° F). If the alcohol is not cold, it may exceed its boiling point when mixed, and some of the alcohol will evaporate. This will make your shot less powerful.
Step 4. Add more than 1 cup of water to the stew
You'll need exactly 1 cup of boiling water, so put a little more than that in a saucepan or kettle as some of it will evaporate.
Step 5. Measure out 1 cup of boiling water and mix it with Jello powder
Stir constantly until the powder is completely dissolved.
Step 6. Stir the cold water and alcohol mixture until it dissolves
Step 7. Spray the inside of the cup with baking spray so the Jello can be easily removed later
Adding a small plastic spoon or popsicle stick can also help.
Step 8. Pour the mixture into the cup
Step 9. Place the shot on a tray in the refrigerator (not freezer)
Refrigerate until shot hard (about 2 to 4 hours). Store in the refrigerator until serving and be sure to serve the Jello chilled.
Method 2 of 7: Orange Slice Jello Shot
Preparing gelatin in orange slices makes for a fun and unique presentation. Make sure to dredge the orange filling thoroughly so that no orange juice appears in your shot.
Step 1. Cut the orange in half
Step 2. Use a spoon to remove the pulp, leaving only the rind from half of the orange
Step 3. Fill half of the orange slices with the Jello mixture
Step 4. Put the stuffed orange slices in the refrigerator overnight
While the jello will harden within a few hours, the extra time to cool helps the orange slices to become firmer so they don't fall off when you cut them.
Step 5. Cut half an orange into 3 parts
See how to make a Jello Shot in an orange for more information.
Method 3 of 7: Layered Shot
Layered shots allow you to create different colors as well as different flavor combinations. To create a gradient effect, simply cool each layer for 10 minutes before adding the next.
Step 1. Get three 3-ounce (85 g) packs of Jello, each in a different color
Step 2. Make a Jello shot mixture from a pack by cutting the previously given recipe in half
Step 3. Fill all the cups 1/3 of the way with the first Jello
Step 4. Allow the Jello to harden completely
Step 5. Repeat the same process for the second color
Pour the second Jello into the same cup as the first. This will be your second color layer. Your cup should be 2/3 full now.
Step 6. Allow both layers of Jello to harden completely
Step 7. Make a third Jello and use it to fill all the cups
This will be your third (top) color layer.
Step 8. Allow all three layers to harden completely before serving
Method 4 of 7: Green Jello Shot
Green is just one color you can make by adding food coloring. When you use plain gelatin, you basically have a blank canvas for whatever color you want.
Step 1. Make a normal Jello shot with yellow Jello
Step 2. Before pouring the Jello into the cup, add green and/or blue food coloring to make the Jello green
You can make some Jello in green variations if you want!
Step 3. Serve
This is especially great for St. Patrick or Earth Day.
Method 5 of 7: Stronger Jello Shot (Vodka)
This is a very strong Jello shot, with 3/4 ounce (22 ml) or 1-1/2 ounce (45 ml) vodka in each shot, respectively. Eat responsibly.
Step 1. Start with a 3-ounce (85 g) pack of Jello
Lime and orange flavors are ideal, as they will taste similar to vodka-based mixed drinks. Cherries may make your Jello taste reminiscent of cough syrup. Blueberries and grapes are also not recommended.
Step 2. Mix the powder with 1/2 cup boiling water
Don't skimp on this step-the water needs to boil just right to effectively dissolve the powder, and the mixture won't harden if you use less than 4 ounces.
Step 3. Stir the mixture until the powder is completely dissolved
Step 4. Add 1-3/4 cup value 80 vodka to the mixture
You can actually add up to 2-1/4 gelsa vodka grade 80 and the Jello will still harden. However, anything more than 1-3/4 cup will cause the gelatin to soften and slimy, and the liquor will mask all other flavors.
Step 5. Pour the mixture into the cup
If you use 1-3/4 cups of vodka, you will be able to make eighteen 1-ounce shots. (30 ml), or nine 2-ounce shots. (60 ml).
Method 6 of 7: Jelly Shot Jelobah
Step 1. Add 1 pack of Jellobah shot mix to 200ml of water
Stir until dissolved.
Step 2. Add 200ml of your favorite alcohol or 100ml of your mixture
Step 3. Pour into shot glass
Step 4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes
Step 5. Bam
Instant jello shots. No refrigeration required. Serve.
Method 7 of 7: Themed Jello Shot
Step 1. Make a classic Jello Shot cocktail
This is a great way to try new variations on your favorite drink!
Step 2. Create a festival-themed Jello Shot
If you're planning a holiday party, prepare a few shots with a holiday theme to set the mood.
Step 3. Make a no-bake Jello Shot dessert
Sometimes it's hard to find the time to bake an entire cake or cookie. Take the flavor but take the baking part away by making Jello shots inspired by your favorite dessert!
Step 4. Make a match day Jello Shot
This jello shot will give a spirited twist to a traditional match day beer.
Step 5. Make a Jello Shot of fruits
These shots, which can be fruity only on taste or can contain real fruit chunks, are a great refresher on a hot day.
Tips
- To make a strong shot, add a pack of plain gelatin to the mixture before adding the boiling water. Unsalted gelatin helps to make a strong shot, which helps when you use a Jello mold.
- You can use shot glasses, individual shot-sized plastic cups (1 ounce to 3 ounces) or pressed accordion-like cups made especially for Jello shots to make this dish. Although shot glasses are too prettier and allow you to see the vibrant colors of Jello, paper cups allow for easier consumption of Jello shots as they can be swiveled in and out. If not, you may need to bring a few small spoons to the party as well.
Warning
- Make sure the kids don't mistake this as a regular Jello.
- Although Jello shots taste like candy, each shot contains the equivalent or more alcohol than beer, wine, or shot alcohol. Warn your guests, wait a few minutes between shots and count your drinks to avoid overconsumption.
- Jello is not a vegetarian dessert. Gelatin is a protein produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen extracted from bones, connective tissues, organs and some intestines of animals. If any of your guests are vegetarian or vegan, consider a vegan jelly mix instead of gelatin. Most supermarkets provide this.
- Children can get sick if they eat beer, and they can get drunk.
