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Jell-O Shots

Jell-O shots with crisp red, creamy white, and clear blue layers—made by dissolving each color and carefully pouring onto a fully set base. This easy Jell-O shots recipe uses sweetened condensed milk for the white layer and vodka for a party-ready jiggle.
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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: 115
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Red layer
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O Use either cherry or strawberry for the red layer.
  • 1 cup boiling water Use 1 cup for dissolving the red Jell-O.
  • 1 1/2 cup cold vodka Add 1/2 cup to the red Jell-O after it’s dissolved.
White layer
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin Bloom/dissolve to create the white layer set.
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk Gives the white layer its creamy, opaque jiggle.
  • 1 cup boiling water Use 1 cup for dissolving the gelatin in the white layer.
  • 1 1/2 cup cold water Use 1/2 cup cold water for the white layer after cooling slightly.
Blue layer
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O Creates the translucent blue top layer.
  • 1 cup boiling water Use 1 cup for dissolving the blue Jell-O.
  • 1 1/2 cup cold vodka Add 1/2 cup to the blue Jell-O after it’s dissolved.

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red base
  1. Dissolve cherry or strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully clear. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka and pour into shot cups, filling one-third of the way.
  2. Refrigerate the shot cups for 45 minutes, until the red layer is fully set and no longer wobbles when gently nudged.
Make and add the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Cool slightly, add 1/2 cup cold water, and stir to smooth.
  2. Spoon the white mixture gently over the set red layer, aiming to cover it without mixing the colors. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes, until the white layer is set.
Make and add the blue top layer
  1. Dissolve berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved and glossy. 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 for clean, jiggly layers.

Notes

For the cleanest layered look, let the white mixture cool slightly before spooning and pour the blue only when it reaches room temperature so it doesn’t melt the layers. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (best texture on day 1–2); freezer is not recommended as layers can weep. For a non-alcoholic version, replace vodka with an equal amount of cold water and chill as directed (the setting time may vary slightly).