i really dig traditions.
growing up my mom + aunt always threw the best bashes. they were the hostesses with the mostesses for everything!
they hosted nearly all of our family holidays, an irish fest up at our lakehouse and of course, all of their social get togethers. i can remember them hosting, with my two year old little body hangin’ on their hip, and them always nailing it with the biggest smile on their faces – always!
decor: check!
food + drinks: check!
humans having fun: check! check! check!
so, when i started growing into my adult years, i got more + more excited with each passing year to start filling some big time hostess shoes! and i surely wasn’t going to let a 600 square foot apartment stop my party genes!
the first holiday i got to host was one of my all time favorites – the fourth of july. what’s not to love? there’s grilled meats, warm weather, cold drinks + the sky ACTUALLY sparkles, people! it’s the best!
and just as my mentors taught me, what does every bash need? that’s right! a signature cocktail!
so with the inaugural holiday hosting, aj’s mad jello shot skills + our thirsty twenties upon us, it was a no-brainer that red, white + blue jello shots were just the tradition for us to start!
as the tradition goes, we invite our friends over, who then spread the word + everyone gathers around our apartment for a whole day of casual celebrating! of course, aj + i keep our end of the deal and mix up a batch of 100 of these festive tricolor beauties + every year there isn’t one left after the day is done!
as for the execution, don’t let the layers scare you! the jello shots are crazy simple but do take a kim k buttload of patience.
so the day before your party, turn on some bruce springsteen, put a koozie on your budweiser + take your time! the labor is guaranteed to bring on the love! enjoy!
- 3oz box of red Jello
- 3oz box of blue Jello
- 2 cups vodka {i used unflavored}
- 2 cups water
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup milk
- ⅔ cup vanilla vodka
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons Knox powdered gelatin
- 1 ½ tablespoons water
- heat 1 cup water, add blue jello mix + stir until dissolved.
- add 1 cup vodka + stir to combine.
- distribute the liquid evenly into your shot cups - filling the cups only ⅓ full!
- refrigerate, about 1-2 hours, until completely set.
- place powdered gelatin + water in small bowl, let soak for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to bloom.
- in a medium saucepan, heat cream, milk, sugar + vanilla extract to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- remove the saucepan from heat, add gelatin mix + stir to dissolve.
- once dissolved, add vanilla vodka. let cool 10-15 minutes.
- distribute the white liquid over the blue, filling up another ⅓ of the way!
- refrigerate, about 1-2 hours, until completely set.
- heat 1 cup water, add red jello mix + stir until dissolved.
- add 1 cup vodka + stir to combine.
- let the liquid cool completely, about 5-10 minutes.
- distribute the red liquid over the white layer, filling up the last ⅓ of the way!
- refrigerate, about 1-2 hours, until completely set.
- once they have completely set you are done! ‘garnish’ each shot glass with a patriotic toothpick {this helps get the jello shot out for easy no-mess shooting} + enjoy {safely!}
this recipe is as strong as it gets! i do not suggest to make them stronger by increasing the alcohol because the gelatin in the jello needs the water to set the alcohol {you’ll end up with an unset goopy mess – trust me!}. if you’re looking to tone down the alcohol content, i recommend using 1 ¼ cups water to ¾ cups vodka. you may also make these into a mockshot by omitting the alcohol all together! simply make three jello-only layers for a festive dessert for all ages + preferences!
i use unflavored vodka for the red + blue layers because my freezer is always stocked but also to let the jello flavors shine instead of competing with each other. but -as always- get creative + feel free to kick up the flavors by trying a blue raspberry vodka in the blue layer + a cherry vodka in the red – or whatever floats your flavor combo boat!
use this same recipe for inspiration on other holidays or get togethers! orange, white + green is great for st patricks day, school colors for a college graduation is fun or use shades of pink for your best friends bachlorette to start the night off right!
set your shot cups up on a large jelly roll pan – this makes moving the shots a breeze! be sure to clear a level space in your fridge for the pan to easily slide in + out! when the jello mixture is still in liquid form how it sets up will depend on how level your cups are sitting!
if your saucepan does not have a spout for easy pouring into each cup then i recommend using a liquid measuring cup to make it easy on you! don’t rush your pours – all that will do will lead to lost jello which will flub your pretty 1/3 pours!
these take about 6 hours from start to finish so feel free to make them the day before they are needed! by the laws of jello, the shots will “technically” hold for a week, but experience has taught us that they loose their oomph after 48 hours. if your cups have lids then you can stretch it to a few days.
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I WANT SOME!!!!
hehehe Laura! they are just as delicious as they are festive!
Yummy I can’t wait to try this ouy!
Yummy can’t wait to try this one out!
you will love them! they are super fun!