In the past few years, Jello shot recipes have gone from the realm of college parties to the menus of fancy craft cocktail bars (strange, but true). Along the way, they’ve evolved from sugary technicolor jigglers in plastic cups to hipster-approved appetizers. No matter your tastes, however, you can be sure there’s a recipe out there for you. To help get you started, we’ve rounded up seven Jello shot recipes inspired by classic cocktails. (There’s even a brandy old fashioned for our Midwestern readers.)
Before you get started, it helps to stock up on the necessary equipment—namely, the Jello molds. It’s perfectly fine to use disposable shot glasses for each of the following recipes. But silicone molds have the benefit of being reusable and they come in an assortment of shapes if you’d like to get creative. Not to mention, if you plan on taking them along on your next camping weekend, the trays come with lids and are easy to pack. (Just be sure you have enough ice in the cooler!) Here are some great options for silicone cube molds:
Standard Silicone Molds
These silicone cube trays can be used for ice and for making Jello shots. Even better, each tray comes with a lid which makes it easy to take along to a party or camping trip.
Korlon 3 Pack Ice Cube Trays, Silicone Ice Trays for Freezer 42 Cubes Total, Easy to Release Ice Tray Molds for Whiskey Cocktails Cool Drinks, with Bin & Shovel (3 Pack)
- Two Shapes Design: This ice tray has a unique shape. Ice cube trays combine a sphere and a square into one. Each ice tray has 32 lattices, half square and half spherical. The two ice trays have 64 ice making lattices in total, so that you can make enough ice cubes of two different shapes each time you make.
- Good Material: Our ice cube trays are made of pp. So the ice cube trays are safe and durable, and easy to demould.
- Removable Lid and Stackable: This ice cube tray with lid comes with its own ice storage box. The transparent ice storage box can see the capacity of ice without opening, bringing better visual experience. Stackable ice trays for freezer are super convenient and space saving. The removable lid helps prevent the ice from absorbing the smell in the refrigerator.
- Easy to Use: Our ice tray is very simple and convenient to operate. Just pour your favorite drink into the ice cube tray, cover it, and wait a few hours to get the ice cube.
- Wide Use: Ice hockey made from ice cube tray with lid is very suitable for cocktail, whisky, coffee, tea, juice and other drinks. The ice cubes can also be used for freezing fruits and foods.
Hexagon Silicone Molds
Each of these molds creates 37 mini hexagon cubes. They also come with lids for easy storage.
Farielyn-X Ice Cube Trays,2 Pack Food Grade Silicone Rubber Flexible and BPA Free 74 Cubes Ice Trays with Lid Stackable Easy Release Mini Cocktail Whiskey Ice Cube Mold Storage Containers-Green&Yellow
- 🍐🍐SAFETY CERTIFICATION - It is made of qulity silicone. It is naturally harmless, non-toxic with no smells, non-corrosive, and can be recycled.
- 🍆🍆GREAT PERFORMANCE IN HIGH AND LOW TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE - It stands -40 to 230 degrees Celsius and is applicable to refrigerator and microwave. It is mainly used in bars, restaurants or households to produce spherical ice cubes. The ice cubes can be directly put into whisky, fruit juice, and beer to chill the drinks instantly.
- 🍅🍅GOOD FLEXIBILITY - Silicone material is flexible and can restore immediately after being twisted. The material is environment-friendly, safe and clean, good for aging and stain resistance. It will not stick together with the ice cubes during the icing process and helps release the ice cube more easily.
- 🌽🌽MAkING 74 CUBES AT ONE TIME-These 2 pack ice cube makers have 74 hexagon trays in modest size , allowing you to make enough cubes at one time, save much your time and energy.
- 🍅🍅STACKABLE & REMOVABLE LID - Comes with a removable lid, this tool allows you to make nice cubes while keeping ice cubes from absorbing freezer odors. Please note that the lid is just an auxiliary cover and can not prevent leakage.
Citrus Molds
For Jello shots that look like slices of citrus, use these silicone molds.
Orange Slices Ice Cube Tray - Fairly Odd Novelties - Fun Fruit Shaped Food Molding Gift
- Bunches of fun! - If you like fruit, then this ice cube tray is a must! No more boring cubes needed!
- A taste of the tropics! - If you want to give any backyard or beach Bash a boost, these cubes should be in every drink!
- Beyond ice cubes! - this tray can also be used to mold chocolate, candy, jelly, and soaps into Tropical treats and goods!
- Orange you glad? - this tray makes 10 fun and fresh Ice cubes, meaning you get plenty of chilling action!
- An a-peel-ing gift! - This tray will make anyone giggle with delight at their birthday, White Elephant, office, or secret Santa party!
Once you have the molds, it’s time to choose your recipe. Each of these Jello shots need 3-4 hours to set. They’ll keep for about 3 days, so plan accordingly.
Our Favorite Fancy Jello Shot Recipes
Margarita Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 12 oz. limeade
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 6 oz. tequila
- 2 oz. triple sec
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. Pour limeade into a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the gelatin dissolves.
- Remove from heat and stir in tequila and triple sec.
- Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds. Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
Gin & Tonic Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. tonic water
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 1-2 oz. simple syrup
- 2 packages unflavored gelatin
- 6 oz. gin
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. In a small saucepan, stir together the tonic water, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the top of the tonic water mixture and allow to sit for about one minute. Then cook over low heat until the gelatin dissolves, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in the gin.
- Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds. Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
Moscow Mule Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. ginger beer
- 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice (1-2 limes)
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 6 oz. vodka
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. In a small saucepan, stir together the ginger beer and lime juice.
- Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the ginger beer mixture. Don’t stir, and let sit for about 5 minutes until the gelatin forms a film on top.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin film dissolves. Be sure it doesn’t come to a boil.
- Take ginger beer mixture off the heat and stir in the vodka. Pour the mixture into the tray or molds.
- Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
Sangria Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 8 oz.water
- 2 (3 oz.) packages orange gelatin
- 8 oz. red wine
- 2 oz. brandy
- 1 cup chopped fruit (apples, strawberries, oranges)
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
- Add the gelatin to the boiling water and stir until it dissolves. Remove from heat.
- Add the red wine and brandy to the gelatin and stir until combined.
- Put about a tablespoon of chopped fruit into each mold. Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds.
- Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
Brandy Old Fashioned Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- maraschino cherries (1 per shot)
- 12 oz. water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 oz. Angostura bitters
- 6 oz. soda water
- 1 oz. maraschino cherry juice
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 6 oz. brandy
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. Place a maraschino in each mold so that the stem will stick out the top.
- Stir together the water, sugar, and Angostura bitters in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Add the soda water and cherry juice to the cooled bitters syrup. Stir until combined. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Cook over low heat until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the brandy. Pour the mixture into the molds.
- Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
Mojito Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 6 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 8 oz. white rum
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. In a small saucepan, stir together the water and sugar over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the water and whisk until the gelatin completely dissolves.
- Pour the lime juice and fresh mint leaves in a mixing bowl. Pour the liquid gelatin over the top and let steep for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the rum. Then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large glass measuring cup. Pour the gelatin mixture into trays or molds.
- Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
Bellini Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. water
- 8 oz. peach juice or purée
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup sparkling white wine or Champagne
Directions:
- Spray a silicone ice cube tray or gelatin molds with nonstick spray. In a small saucepan, stir together the water, peach juice, and sugar. Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the water and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the gelatin and sugar dissolve.
- Stir in the sparkling wine. Pour the mixture into molds.
- Refrigerate the gelatin for 4 hours or until set. To remove the cubes from the molds, slide a butter knife around the edges, then push up from the bottom.
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