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

Jell-O shots recipe with three translucent, glossy layers—red, creamy white, and berry blue—made in clear cups for an easy party drink. Each layer sets in the fridge for clean lines and a jiggly finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
setting 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 105
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherry or strawberry gelatin
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O For the red layer.
Berry blue gelatin
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O For the blue layer.
Unflavored gelatin for white layer
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin Used with sweetened condensed milk to make the white layer.
Sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk Gives the white layer a creamy jiggle.
Boiling water (divided)
  • 3 cups boiling water Divided among layers.
Vodka (cold, divided)
  • 1.5 cups cold vodka Divided among layers; keep cold until mixed.
Cold water (white layer)
  • 0.5 cup cold water Used to cool and loosen the white layer mixture before layering.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red layer
  1. Stir the cherry or strawberry Jell-O into 1 cup boiling water for 2 minutes until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold vodka and mix, then pour into shot cups to fill one-third of the way.
  2. Refrigerate the cups for 45 minutes until the red layer is fully set and no longer jiggles when lightly touched.
Make and set the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, then stir until dissolved. Cool slightly, stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then spoon gently over the set red layer.
  2. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is fully set and smooth.
Make the blue layer
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water and stir for 2 minutes until clear. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, cool to room temperature, then gently pour over the white layer.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold.

Notes

Pro tip: Cool the blue mixture to room temperature before pouring so it won’t melt the white layer. Store jell-o shots covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; they do not freeze well due to texture changes. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the vodka with an equal amount of cold water (keep total liquid the same) and follow the same layering and setting steps.