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

Jell-O shots with bright red, creamy white, and deep blue layers set in clear cups for clean, glossy slices. This easy jello shots recipe uses a gelatin-based white layer so each tier stays distinct and jiggles when you pour.
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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: 138
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherry or strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O For the red layer
Berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O For the blue layer
Unflavored gelatin
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin For the white layer
Sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk For the white layer
Boiling water
  • 3 cups boiling water Divided across layers
Cold vodka
  • 1.5 cups cold vodka Divided across layers
Cold water
  • 0.5 cup cold water For the white layer

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red layer
  1. Dissolve the cherry or strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved.
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka and pour into shot cups to fill one-third of the way.
  3. Refrigerate for 45 minutes until fully set, with the top appearing firm and slightly glossy.
Add the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, stirring until dissolved.
  2. Cool slightly, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water for a pourable mixture.
  3. Spoon gently over the set red layer, keeping the layers distinct.
  4. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is set and holds its shape.
Finish with the blue layer
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved.
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, then cool to room temperature to prevent disturbing the layers.
  3. Gently pour over the white layer until cups are filled to your preferred level.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold with clear, jiggly layers.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the white and blue mixtures close to room temperature before topping so the layers don’t cloud or bleed. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; for best jiggle, don’t freeze (texture can change). For a lower-sugar swap, use an unflavored gelatin with a sugar-free sweetened condensed milk substitute (follow brand directions) for a still-smooth white layer.