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

Jell-O shots with glossy red-white-blue layers you can assemble in clear cups for a party-ready look. This easy recipe uses a cherry/strawberry base, a creamy gelatin white layer, and a blue top that sets into clean, jiggly slices.
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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: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherry or strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O Red layer
Blue gelatin
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O Blue layer
Unflavored gelatin (white layer)
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin White layer
Sweetened condensed milk (white layer)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk White layer
Boiling water, divided
  • 3 cups boiling water Use 1 cup for each colored layer + 1 cup for white layer
Vodka, divided
  • 1.5 cups cold vodka Use 1/2 cup for each colored layer
Cold water (white layer)
  • 0.5 cup cold water Add to gelatin mixture after it dissolves

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 smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup cold vodka, then pour into shot cups, filling each cup about one-third full, and watch for the mixture to turn uniformly red.
  2. Refrigerate the cups for 45 minutes until fully set and firm to the touch, with no liquid shine on top.
Make and add the white layer
  1. Whisk sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup boiling water and the unflavored gelatin until dissolved and glossy, then let it cool slightly. Add 1/2 cup cold water, and stir just until smooth, looking for no gelatin lumps before you pour.
  2. Spoon the white layer gently over the set red layer so the layers stay distinct, and refrigerate for another 45 minutes until set with a clean, opaque surface.
Make and add the blue layer
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until smooth, then mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka. Cool to room temperature first, watching for the surface to look even before pouring.
  2. Gently pour the blue layer over the white layer, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set and jiggly. Serve cold for the best translucent, glossy look in each cup.

Notes

For the cleanest red-white-blue separation, cool the white and blue mixtures to room temperature before layering and spoon slowly so you don’t disturb the set base. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; the texture will soften slightly after that. Freezing is not recommended because layers can weep when thawed. For a lighter option, use 1/2 the vodka and replace the rest with more cold water (check that you still use the full liquids to keep the set texture).