Jello Shots/ Recipes

J is for: Jolly Jello Shots

Calling these “Jello Shots” is sort of like an insult to these beauties. As I was told several times last night, they are a work of art. And they are. I took great care and calculated hours to make these as beautiful as they are tasty. And I’m not gonna lie, I was proud.

Yes, they contain alcohol in gelatin form, but these are a far cry from your typical college jello shot in a paper dixie cup. THESE are classy, sophisticated, and totally acceptable to drink/eat well into adulthood. Add in a few holiday themed colors and shapes, and these will become a staple at all of your holiday parties.

Since starting the food blog, I’ve actually been wanting to make jello shots for awhile. My cousin Erin made some amazing ones for my sister’s bachelorette party and I’m a loyal follower of That’s So Michelle and Jelly Shot Test Kitchen, so I’m crediting all of them with the inspiration behind these masterpieces.

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I’m not really going to post step-by-step photos because really, at the end of the day, you’re just making jello in a mold. But follow the instructions and you can’t go wrong. For the santa hats, you’ll need a pyramid-shaped silicone mold. You’ll also need a red and a white layer. For the red I used cherry jello and whipped cream vodka. For the white, I used coconut milk, gelatin, and whipped cream vodka. Although the trees turned out cuter…these were the favorite flavor combination. I think it also may have been cute to put mini marshmallows on top instead or in addition to the first white layer, but I forgot to get some at the store. (P.S. I also attempted red and white striped candy canes, but they were sort of a disaster so I won’t recommend trying them.)

For the green trees, I used a special Christmas tree mold. For these, I used lime jello and a fruity vodka (Absolut SF), though the whipped cream vodka was such a hit, I would probably do that one next time for sort of a key lime pie effect. For garnish, I used coconut (for the snow) and little candy stars (found in the baking section of your local supermarket).

If you don’t have these special molds and don’t have time to order them online, you could always do a layered version in a loaf pan or square brownie pan by allowing each layer to set at least an hour and then overnight to fully bond each layer. You then cut them into squares or rectangles. I had leftover jello, so I also made one of these for a party I attended on Sunday.

Jolly Jello Shots

by Jaymee Sire
Keywords: jello shot cocktail jello jello shot vodka Christmas winter

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Ingredients

    For the red layer: (santa hats)

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 (3 ounce) box of red jello (I like sugar-free cherry)
    • 1/2 package of plain Knox gelatin (one teaspoon)
    • 1/4 cup cold water
    • 3/4 cup vodka (I used Pinnacle Whipped)
    • special mold needed: silicone pyramid

    For the white layer: (santa hats)

    • 1/4 cup coconut milk
    • 1/4 cup water
    • 1 package plain Knox gelatin (2 teaspoons)
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 1/2 cup Pinnacle Whipped vodka

    For the green trees:

    • 1 (3 ounce) box lime jello (I like sugar free)
    • 1/2 package plain Knox gelatin (one teaspoon)
    • 1/4 cup cold water
    • 3/4 cup vodka (I would suggest a flavored one)
    • special mold needed: tree shaped silicone
    • star confetti
    • assembly gelatin (1/2 cup water and 1/2 envelope gelatin)
    • coconut

    to make them stronger, you can use one cup of vodka and no cold water

      Instructions

      For the red layer:

      1. Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan. Sprinkle with 1/2 envelope of plain gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes). Add cherry gelatin and stir until dissolved. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water, and then the vodka.

      For the white layer:

      1. Pour coconut milk into a small saucepan and then sprinkle one packet of Knox gelatin on top. Let sit a minute or two, then turn on medium heat and stir until gelatin is dissolved, about five minutes. Add sugar and continue heating and stirring until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and wait until the mixture is room temperature and then add 1/2 cup of vodka.

      For the santa hats:

      1. Lightly spray molds with cooking spray and wipe out with a clean paper towel (this will leave just enough residue to help loosen them later). Set mold on a moveable, flat surface, such as a cookie sheet.
      2. Pour or spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the white mixture into each pyramid mold cavity. Refrigerate and allow to set for about 30 minutes.
      3. After white mixture has set, add about a tablespoon of the room temperature red mixture, return to refrigerator until set, about another 30-40 minutes.
      4. Once red mixture is set, spoon about a teaspoon of the white mixture into the molds to make the “trim,” filling all the way to the top. (Note: you might have to give the white mixture a stir after it’s been sitting out for a bit or even pop in the microwave for a couple seconds if necessary before adding). Refrigerate several hours or overnight. (Unless you have multiple molds, you will have leftovers, which I used to make a rectangular, layered jello shot).

      For the green trees:

      1. Lightly spray molds with cooking spray and wipe out with a clean paper towel (this will leave just enough residue to help loosen them later). Set mold on a moveable, flat surface, such as a cookie sheet.
      2. Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan. Sprinkle with 1/2 envelope of plain gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes). Add lime gelatin and stir until dissolved. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water, and then the vodka.
      3. Pour in molds and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

      For garnishing trees:

      1. An hour or two before serving, prepare the assembly gelatin by pouring the water in a saucepan and sprinkling with the 1/2 envelope of gelatin. Allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until dissolved. Allow gelatin to cool to room temperature.
      2. Using a fork or tweezers, dip stars in assembly gelatin and onto tops of trees. Sprinkle with coconut and return the trees to the refrigerator for about an hour before serving.

      For red, white and green shots without molds:

      1. Make each layer as described above. Pour red mixture into a loaf or square brownie pan. Refrigerate and allow to set for about an hour. Add next layer (I did white next), and allow to set for another hour. Add third layer (green) and set for several hours or overnight. Gently remove jello from pan and cut into rectangular shapes and serve on a platter.
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    • La Mode by Marianne
      December 11, 2011 at 1:28 am

      Oh wow – I love me some jello shots and these are the coolest ones I've ever seen! Good work!

    • Sippity Sup
      December 11, 2011 at 3:12 am

      I am doing this tomorrow The Table Set Christmas Party which is a part of Joy The Bakers Homefries Podcast Network. I don't know why I did not think of it before! Check in on the blog or the network soon if you don't believe me… I'll credit you. GREG

    • Cathy @ Savory Notes
      December 11, 2011 at 7:50 am

      Yummm! To be honest, I have yet to try making Jello in any kind of mold… but these make me want to start.

    • Anonymous
      December 11, 2011 at 5:08 pm

      I am an avid Jelly Shot Test Kitchen recipe follower (if you don't have the book, get it) AND have the same adorable pan and was just trying to figure out what sort of Jelly Shot Jigglers to make in it 🙂

    • Boulder Locavore
      December 11, 2011 at 7:12 pm

      I'll come clean and admit I've never had a jello shot. These trees are going to push me over the edge; willingly. Completely adorable.

    • FoodEpix
      December 12, 2011 at 2:35 am

      Looks delicious. Would love for you to share your pictures with us over at foodepix.com.

    • jaymeesire
      December 12, 2011 at 9:47 am

      Thanks everyone! Sippity Sup…let me know, and I will check it out! FoodEpix…I'll definitely check out your site!

    • Tammy (SvrMomOf6)
      December 18, 2011 at 4:50 am

      Hmmmm, I think I have to make these. Pinned ya!

    • jaymeesire
      December 18, 2011 at 5:38 am

      Thanks again Tammy! 🙂 They really are the cutest things ever.

    • marie claire saint maux dite Malikele
      December 21, 2011 at 9:05 pm

      très joli

    • Michelle O
      December 28, 2011 at 4:02 am

      Jaymee these look awesome!!!! I tried to do a Christmas tree shot with limes quartered the way I did my candy corn jello shots but it was a total FAIL.

      I bet they were a huge hit 🙂 Happy New Year and thanks for the shout out!

    • jaymeesire
      December 28, 2011 at 8:31 am

      Thanks so much for stopping by Michelle! I actually had the same idea about the lime quarters (inspired by you of course), but then saw these molds and thought they would be easier.

      LOVE your blog…happy New Year to you as well! 🙂

    • Anonymous
      June 21, 2012 at 5:25 am

      For decorating the Christmas trees could you put a few multi-colored sprinkles in the bottom of the mold before adding the gelatin? The sprinkles would look like lights, but I am not sure if they would stay crunchy. They could become a little soggy from the gelatin, or maybe the color would run once the sprinkles become moist. Just a thought to try next Christmas, or for children's jello jigglers, rather than adult jello shots.

    • Sam M.
      November 6, 2012 at 1:02 pm

      These are adorable! I'd love if you'd link to my "Do Your Thing" Party!
      http://www.atkinsondrive.com/do-your-thing-link-party-week-1/