Cranberry Jello Shots Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best alcohol to use for jello shots? ›

Vodka and white rum are both great options for your alcohol, although other spirits, like gin, whiskey, tequila and brandy all work.

A standard recipe made with 3 ounces of Jell-O powder calls for 5 ounces of 80-proof vodka and 11 ounces of water, but this results in a shot that tastes watered-down. To make a stronger shot, use just 4 ounces of water and between 8 and 14 ounces of vodka (to taste)

If you are in a hurry, you can set your jello faster by having your liquids as cold as possible when starting to make your shots. You can have your alcohol in the freezer to get it cold, and/or you can add some ice cubes in with your cold water and remove the ice that's left after 2-3 minutes.

Quick-set jello shots

If making them from a box of flavored gelatin: Dissolve the box of jello powder into boiling water and stir until dissolved. Then add ½ cup COLD alcohol and ice cubes to help cool down the mixture faster. Then pour into molds and place in the fridge immediately.

Jello shots won't set properly if you add too much alcohol. Generally, a basic batch of jello shots is made with one cup of juice or water, one packet of gelatin, 1/2 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of alcohol. However, jello shots can be made with as much as 2/3 cup alcohol without changing their texture.

1 small box of jello yields about 15 jello shots (2 cups of liquid). 2 boxes (or 1 large 6 oz. box) yield 30 shots, which will fit nicely on a baking sheet to transport them easily to the refrigerator.

Jello Shots, like life, are all about balance. That said, if you want a strong one, it is possible if you leave it in the fridge long enough. In a Supercall experiment, we found that the strongest Jello Shot that will set is three-to-one ratio of 80-proof alcohol to water, and it took a full day to become mostly solid.

Pour the jello mixture into the plastic cups, filling about 3/4 full so there is room for the lid to be put on later. Refrigerate the shots for 2-3 hours or until set. Put a lid on each cup and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

To do it, simply pour your liquid Jell-O shot into the cups, add the lid, and then flip each one before refrigerating. The result is a shot that sticks to the lid rather than the edges of the cup, allowing you easy access to that Jell-O goodness and making it so much easier to slurp down.

It's a good idea to make layered jello shots the day before the party, so each layer has enough time to set.

Do jello shots get you drunk? ›

If you make the basic Jell-O shot with a single 80-proof liquor, the alcohol content comes out to be about 12 percent ABV (24 proof). That's equivalent to the average wine. While a couple of 1-ounce shots may not get you drunk, overindulging on these shots can happen more quickly than you might expect.

Add cold water or equivalent amount of ice, fruit juice, and then liquor. Definitely use ice instead of the cold water if you are having the party in less than 4 hours because it will solidify faster. Taste to ensure there is enough liquor and consider adding more.

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.

Vodka: Vodka is the most common liquor in jello shots, but you could also use rum or tequila. A top-shelf vodka isn't needed for this recipe because the fruity and sweet flavor of the jello will balance it out, so something midlevel like Tito's would work great.

Pour gelatin mixture into paper or plastic shot cups* and chill in refrigerator until set, 1 hour or more. *Reviewers suggest coating the shot cups lightly with cooking spray so the shots slide right out. Give each mini cup a quick wipe with a paper towel to remove excess and spread oil evenly.

plastic cups and lids from your local restaurant supply store."