There are two things guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again: the 4th of July and jello. And we want you to experience your carefree youth in a decidedly adult way - by combining both of those things with booze. Boom - 4th of July jello shots! They're the perfect treat to bring back your childlike excitement for Independence Day in the most satsifyingly grown-up way possible.
Jello Shot Sparkler
This garnish may not have actual sparklers--leave the sparks and fire to the fireworks--but with a shiny garnish, it's pretty close to the real thing. This will make approximately 48 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce package cherry gelatin
- 1 3-ounce package unflavored gelatin
- 1 3-ounce package blue gelatin
- 27 ounces boiling water, separated into three equal (9-ounce) parts
- 12 ounces cold water, separated into two equal (6-ounce) parts
- 18 ounces vodka, separated into three equal (6-ounce) parts
- 6 ounces sweetened condensed milk or coconut milk
- 48 small 2-ounce molds, such as a plastic or paper ramekins
- Sparkler decoration and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Use a large, heat-safe mixing bowl.
- In the bowl, stir together 9 ounces of boiling water and cherry gelatin until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
- Stir in 6 ounces of cold water and 6 ounces of vodka.
- Carefully pour cherry gelatin into 2-ounce cups, leaving room for the additional layers of white and blue.
- Chill red layer in refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.
- Clean the bowl to reuse.
- In the bowl, stir together 9 ounces of boiling water and unflavored gelatin until completely dissolved.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk and 6 ounces of vodka.
- Cool and pour layer onto set cherry gelatin in mold.
- Refrigerate for one hour to set.
- Clean your bowl to reuse.
- In the bowl, stir together 9 ounces boiling water and blue gelatin until completely dissolved.
- Stir in 6 ounces of cold water and 6 ounces of vodka.
- Cool and pour layer onto the set gelatin mold.
- Chill, allowing to cool completely and set, approximately 4 hours.
- Garnish with sparkler decoration and cherry.
America's Jello Shot
This shot may not have the shape of a certain patriotic captain who will go unnamed, but the jello is certainly as firm as his handshake. This makes 48 jello shots.
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce package raspberry gelatin
- 2 3-ounce packages unflavored gelatin
- 24 ounces boiling water, separated into three equal (8-ounce) parts
- 12 ounces cold water, separated into three equal (4-ounce) parts
- 10 ounces vodka
- 10 ounces lemon vodka
- 10 ounces blue curaçao
- 48 small 2-ounce molds, such as a plastic or paper ramekin
- Whipped cream and red, white, and blue sprinkles for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Use a large, heat-safe mixing bowl.
- In the bowl, stir together 8 ounces of boiling water and raspberry gelatin until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Stir in 4 ounces of cold water and the plain vodka.
- Pour into 2-ounce molds and refrigerate for one hour to set.
- Clean the bowl to reuse.
- In the bowl, stir together 8 ounces of boiling water and one package unflavored gelatin until gelatin dissolves.
- Then stir in 4 ounces of cold water and lemon vodka.
- Pour over the first layer in the gelatin molds and refrigerate for one hour to set.
- Clean the bowl to reuse.
- In the bowl, stir together 8 ounces of boiling water and one package unflavored gelatin until dissolved.
- Stir in 4 ounces cold water and the blue curaçao.
- Cool and carefully pour into the chilled jello shots.
- Allow to cool completely in the fridge and set, approximately 4 hours.
- Garnish with whipped cream and red, white, and blue sprinkles, if desired.
Watermelon Firework Jello Shots
The fireworks in these jello shots come from the chili liqueur that adds some unsuspecting bite. It's perfect for those who love a firecracker cocktail. This recipe yields approximately 16 servings.
Ingredients
- 3-ounce package watermelon gelatin
- 8 ounces boiling water
- 2 ounces cold water
- 4 ounces tequila
- 1½ ounces chili liqueur
- 16 small 2-ounce molds, such as a plastic or paper ramekins
- Cherry with stem for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large heat-safe mixing bowl, stir together boiling water and gelatin.
- Stir for approximately two minutes or until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
- Stir in cold water, tequila, and chili liqueur.
- Mix until well combined.
- Carefully pour into 2-ounce cups.
- Chill in refrigerator until firm, approximately 4 hours.
- Garnish with cherry, if desired.
Hand-in-Hand Jello Shots
Just like the 4th of July goes hand-in-hand with democracy, celebration, and a BBQ with friends, so do these one-two punch jello shots. This will make approximately 32 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce package blue gelatin
- 1 3-ounce package strawberry gelatin
- 16 ounces boiling water, separated into two equal parts
- 4 ounces cold water, separated into two equal parts
- 4 ounces vanilla vodka
- 4 ounces blue raspberry vodka
- 32 small 2-ounce molds, such as a plastic or paper ramekins
- Cocktail umbrellas for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In two separate large heat-safe mixing bowls, stir together 8 ounces of boiling water and 1 package of gelatin.
- Stir for approximately two minutes or until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
- In the strawberry gelatin bowl, add 4 ounces of cold water and vanilla vodka.
- In the blue gelatin bowl, stir in 4 ounces of cold water and the blue raspberry vodka.
- Carefully pour strawberry gelatin into half of the 2-ounce cups.
- Carefully pour blue gelatin into remaining 2-ounce cups.
- Chill in the fridge for at least four hours.
- Garnish with cocktail umbrella.
Cape Codder Jello Shot
The cradle of America, Massachusetts was a pivotal player in the founding of the country. Honor those colonials with this shot named for not only a cocktail but the ocean shores of Massachusetts. This yields roughly 16 servings.
Ingredients
- 3-ounce package cranberry gelatin
- 8 ounces boiling water
- 2 ounces cold water
- 4 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Small 2-ounce molds, such as a plastic or paper ramekins
- Cranberry and sparkler decoration for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large, heat-safe mixing bowl, stir together boiling water and gelatin.
- Stir for approximately two minutes or until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
- Stir in cold water, vodka, and lime juice.
- Mix until well combined.
- Carefully pour into 2-ounce cups.
- Chill in refrigerator until firm, approximately 4 hours.
- Garnish with cranberry and sparkler decoration, if desired.
4th of July Jello Shots to Light up the Party
Add sparkle and pizzazz to any 4th of July occasion with any of these appropriately styled jello shots. It's a great way to celebrate America's freedom.
