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

Jell-O shots recipe for glossy red, white, and blue layered shots with clean translucent edges. You’ll dissolve each layer, chill to fully set, then stack the layers for a party drink that holds its shape.
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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: 95
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Jell-O shots layers
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O Used for the red layer.
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O Used for the blue layer.
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin Used for the white layer.
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk Used for the white layer.
  • 3 cups boiling water Divided across the three layers.
  • 1.5 cups cold vodka Divided across the three layers.
  • 0.5 cup cold water Used 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 and smooth with no granules visible.
  2. Stir in 1/2 cup cold vodka, then immediately pour into shot cups to fill one-third of the way.
  3. Refrigerate for 45 minutes until fully set, with the surface looking firm and no longer liquid.
Make and add the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin in a bowl and stir until dissolved.
  2. Cool slightly, then add 1/2 cup cold water and stir to combine, keeping it pourable but not hot.
  3. Spoon the white mixture gently over the set red layer, keeping the layers separate and the red visible at the edges.
  4. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is set and holds its shape when gently tapped.
Make and top with the blue layer
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved and glossy.
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, cool to room temperature, and stir until evenly colored.
  3. Gently pour over the white layer to avoid mixing the layers, letting the blue spread across the top.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold with each cup looking jiggly and translucent.

Notes

Pro tip: Cool the Jell-O mixtures to the temperatures specified so the next layer doesn’t melt the one below. Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Freeze: no—layered texture can break when thawed. For a no-alcohol version, replace the vodka with an equal amount of cold water (and add a small splash more cold water only if needed for smooth dissolving).