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4th of July Jello Shots

May 26, 2022 by girlinspired Leave a Comment

These 4th of July Jello Shots are super festive with their red, white, and blue layers. Such a fun twist on the traditional jello shooter, but let’s not forget… When you top them with whipped cream they almost taste like a fun dessert!

close up of blue, white, and red layered jello in a shot glass topped with whipped cream and patriotic sprinkles

Whether you are lounging by the pool or spending the fourth of July holiday with friends you are going to want to have plenty of boozy options on hand if they are a drinking crowd! While everyone loves jello shots recipes, don’t forget about other easy but mesmerizing cocktails like my Tipsy Mermaid and Jolly Rancher Vodka drinks.

a tray of 4th of july jello shots sitting on an outside table

If you are like us, you always have tons of kids running around at parties, so you can serve a similar version that doesn’t contain alcohol but tastes just as great. These red, white, and blue jello cups are super cute in footed glasses and can be served for Labor Day and Veteran’s Day because they have the same patriotic colors.

As you are planning your Independence Day party, don’t forget to choose easy recipes. I have a full collection of fourth of July recipes that I revisit every year to make the menu easy, including my 4th of July Poke Cake which is super simple, refreshing, but so delicious!

Ingredients Needed

three patriotic jello shots next to a bowl of sprinkles
  • red jello mix – cherry jello or strawberry can be used
  • blue jello mix – berry blue or blue raspberry are both great options
  • boiling water
  • vodka
  • Cold water
  • clear gelatin
  • sweetened condensed milk

Optional garnishes: whipped cream or patriotic sprinkles

ingredients needed to make 4th of july jello shots

How to Make 4th of July Jello Shots

Making these festive treats takes a little patience, but very few ingredients. You will mix up the blue layer with jello, vodka, and water and pour it into shot glasses to fill just 1/3 of the way full. Then we make the white layer with clear, unflavored gelatin and sweetened condensed milk (no vodka in this layer). We pour that over the chilled blue layer. Finally, we mix up the red layer of red jello, vodka, and water. This goes on top of the white layer.

Each layer has to be chilled and completely set before pouring the next (chilled/room temperature) layer on top, so you have some fridge time in between each layer, but you can walk away for an hour (or even longer) and do something else. Mixing each layer only takes a few minutes of active time.

Pro Tip: Place all of your shot glasses onto a cookie sheet (one with edges preferred!) for easy transfer in and out of the refrigerator!!

tall shooter glasses of red white and blue jello shots

Tips for Making

  • Make sure the white jello mixture is cooled completely before pouring it on the blue layer, or else it will melt together.
  • The red jello also needs to be cooled to room temperature before adding on top of the white layer for the same reason.
  • Using ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water in each of the blue and red layers of jello was my personal favorite as the flavors were able to come through and the vodka was not too strong. ¾ cup vodka and ¼ cup cold water will pack more punch (or you could use a full cup of vodka and no cold water if you wanted), but the vodka flavor is quite strong.
  • You should get at least 30 jello shots from this recipe, however, it will depend on the size of the glass or cup you are using.
  • Pipe the whipped cream (or Cool Whip) on top or use a can of spray whipped topping.
4th of july jello shots on a tray with whipped cream and sprinkles

Variations

Use this same recipe for other holidays by changing up the gelatin flavor and color:

Halloween (Candy Corn Shots) – Use orange and yellow gelatin for the vodka layers and follow the same instructions for the white.

Christmas – Use red and green jello, then top with whipped cream and festive sprinkles.

St. Patty’s Day – You could make green and white layered shooters or add a yellow layer for a pot of gold feel.

close up of patriotic jello shots

Common FAQs

What liquor can you put in Jello shots?

Most of the time vodka and rum are the best options. Other liquors like tequila or whiskey can be used but they have a tendency to overpower the flavors of the Jello. If you use rum, be sure to choose a white rum (or even Malibu!) so that it is clear and doesn’t tint the colors of the jello.

How long can Jello shots sit in the fridge?

We recommend keeping them for no more than 3 days.

What vodka is good for Jello shots?

As long as you use a clear vodka you are good to go! Flavored vodka can be used, but when you mix it with the flavor of the gelatin, sometimes it’s just too much.

How do you store leftover Jello shots?

Keep them in the refrigerator, covered and ungarnished, for up to 3 days. You can add the whipped cream just before serving.

More Boozy Summer Recipes:

  • Starburst Alcohol Drink that is Fruity and Fun
  • Orange Lemon Gin Cocktail
  • Summer Peach Sangria
  • Caribbean Inspired Coconut Rum Cocktail
  • Strawberry Sangria
  • Classic Rum Mojito Recipe
close up of blue, white, and red layered jello in a shot glass topped with whipped cream and patriotic sprinkles

4th of July Jello Shots

Celebrate red, white, and blue holidays with these festive layered jello shots filled with vodka and topped with whipped cream.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 28 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 28 minutes
Servings: 30
Calories: 86kcal
Author: girlinspired
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 – 3.4 oz. box red jello mix cherry or strawberry
  • 1 – 3.4 oz. box blue jello mix berry blue or blue raspberry
  • 3 cups boiling water divided
  • 1- 1 ½ cups vodka clear
  • 2 – .25 oz. packets clear gelatin
  • 14 oz. sweetened, condensed milk
  • Heavy cream or whipped cream (optional for topping)
  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional for topping)

Instructions

  • Whisk together one package of blue jello and 1 cup of boiling water until the jello is completely dissolved.
    blue jello powder in clear glass bowl with red white and blue sprinkles and cup of water nearby
  • Pour 1/2 cup of vodka into a 2-cup measuring cup (you'll see why in just a minute!) Add 1/2 cup of cold water to the vodka. For a stronger jello shot, you might want to use more vodka. I thought it became too strong with more than 3/4 cup vodka in each layer. Whatever you choose, add cold water to the vodka to make 1 cup TOTAL of clear liquid.
    clear vodka poured from bottle into measuring cup
  • Carefully transfer the blue jello into the measuring cup with the vodka and water. (Now you have everything in a tidy measuring cup with a spout – perfect for pouring into your shot glasses!)
  • Slowly fill the bottom ⅓ of glass or plastic shot glasses. I experimented with a ton of different shaped shot glasses – some plastic, some glass. They all turned out awesome. You should be able to make about 30 jello shots. Just keep filling the glasses 1/3 of the way until you run out of mixture.
    blue jello poured from measuring glass into shot glass
  • Place the jello shots into the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
    side view of shot glass showing 1/3 full of blue jello
  • Once the blue layer of jello has set, it's time to mix up the white layer.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, sprinkle two packets of clear, unflavored gelatin over 1 cup of boiling water. Whisk until the gelatin is fully dissolved in the water.
    natural gelatin sprinkled over water in glass bowl
  • Add an additional 1 cup of cold water and the sweetened condensed milk.
    can of sweetened condensed milk pouring into glass bowl with clear liquid
  • Stir until the mixture is combined – it will be white and opaque.
    white mixture in glass bowl with whisk
  • Chill this white jello mixture in the refrigerator until it is room temperature. Don't chill it too long – you don't want it to start setting! But you also don't want to pour a warm mixture onto the blue layer.
  • Pour the white jello over the blue layers until each shot glass is 2/3 of the way full. Chill in the refrigerator until fully set – at least 1 more hour.
  • Make the red layer just like you made the blue layer. Stir the red jello powder into boiling water (1 cup). Combine vodka and water to make 1 cup of clear liquid. Stir the jello and vodka solution together.
  • Allow the red layer to cool to room temperature – it cannot be warm when pouring over the white layer!!!
  • Now fill the shot glasses to the very top with the red jello solution.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 more hours, or until the jello shots are set.
  • Pipe freshly whipped cream on top of the jello shots and add sprinkles, if desired. The whipped cream and sprinkle garnishes should not be added until just before serving.
Tried this recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @girlinspired!

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 50mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Drinks, Food and Recipes, Holiday Inspiration Tagged With: 4th of July, jello, vodka

Jolly Rancher Vodka Cocktail

July 2, 2021 by girlinspired Leave a Comment

If you enjoyed Jolly Rancher hard candies growing up then you’re going to LOVE this Jolly Rancher Vodka Cocktail recipe! Whether your favorite flavor is green apple or blue raspberry, this jolly rancher drink will not disappoint!

Three glasses of turquoise Jolly Rancher Cocktail with paper straws, jolly rancher candy on marble countertop

Vodka that is infused with your favorite flavor of Jolly Ranchers is then mixed with lemon lime soda in a drinking glass packed with ice to make this party-style cocktail. To up the cute factor, place candies on the finished cocktail as garnish. The hard candy will also dissolve in your glass as you sip your beverage.

Five glasses with lid filled with different colored Jolly Rancher Candy dissolved in vodka, jolly rancher candy, white subway tiles in the background

Since the candied alcohol needs to be made 24 hours in advance, it’s a great cocktail option to partially make ahead of any parties or social events, leaving you with a delicious cocktail that you can serve up within just 10 minutes!  

Jolly Rancher Cocktail with Jolly Rancher Candy from above on marble countertop

How to Make Jolly Rancher Vodka:

  1. Place about 4-6 same-color Jolly Rancher candies into a jar or container with a lid. Pour 4 ounces of vodka over the Jolly Ranchers and cover the container with an airtight lid. Allow candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture. (If you want to make a larger number of cocktails all the same flavor/color, go ahead and fill a larger container with more vodka – add 2-3 candies per ounce of vodka.)
  2. Fill up your cocktail glasses with ice.
  3. Add two ounces of your chosen flavor of candy vodka to the glass.  
  4. Top off the vodka with some 7-UP or lemon lime soda – or even club soda! It’s like a vodka soda, but BETTER!!
  5. Top with Jolly Rancher candies and serve.
3 glasses filled with ice, a bottle of vodka, lemon soda can, jolly rancher candy on a marble countertop

What Is A Jolly Rancher Cocktail?

Do you remember those childhood Jolly Rancher candies that so many loved while growing up? Well those hard fruity candies are the inspiration behind this Jolly Rancher Cocktail.

My Jolly Rancher Cocktail actually incorporates these candies into the ingredients list for this fruity cocktail. 

I bought a big huge bag of jolly ranchers and then sorted them by color. Dissolve the candies in vodka, giving the cocktail that fruity taste and color and then simply add some lemon-lime soda and ice when assembling in cocktail glasses. It’s as simple as that! So easy and so much fun!

How Should I Store Jolly Rancher Vodka? 

The Jolly Rancher vodka can be stored in an airtight glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I like to use a mason jar – it’s the easiest way to both make the candy vodka and store it after you’re done. When you’re ready to serve your cocktails, simply add the ice and soda and you’re ready for a good time! 

I wouldn’t suggest trying to freeze your candied alcohol as a storage method. Firstly, vodka doesn’t freeze solid in most freezers due to its very low freezing point and secondly, storing vodka in the freezer can potentially mask the alcohol’s subtle flavors, depending on what you’re using. 

What Other Jolly Rancher Boozy Variations Can I Make?

Here are some great ways to change things up:

  • For a Jolly Rancher Cocktail Slushy: Add crushed ice to your drinking glass instead of ice cubes and pour the candied alcohol with soda over the ice. Serve your slushie with a straw. You could even use a slushie machine if you want to make a whole bunch of frozen drinks.
  • For a Jolly Rancher Punch: Multiply your ingredient quantities and serve it in a punch bowl instead of individual drinking glasses. This is a great idea for a party!
  • For Jolly Rancher Jello Shots: Use Jolly Rancher gelatin aff mixed with boiling water until dissolved and then add in the vodka. Pour into plastic shot glasses and chill overnight or for at least 4 hours.
  • For a rum-infused Jolly Rancher Cocktail: If vodka isn’t your choice of poison then you can use a light rum instead and it’ll taste just as good! Avoid using a dark rum as this will affect the coloring of your cocktail. 
  • For St. Patrick’s Day, make a green drink with all sour apple candies.

Can I Make A Jolly Rancher Mocktail Instead?

Yes, of course! Simply dissolve the candies in water for a couple of hours and then add the ingredients to the glass when ready to serve as you would with this recipe but now without any vodka added. 

Tips For Making Candy Cocktails 

  • I added candies as cute garnish to my cocktails. To stop the candies from sinking to the bottom of your glass, make sure that you fill each glass with ice and then position the individual candies on top.
  • Feel free to add more lemon-lime soda, plain vodka or Jolly Rancher infused vodka to the glass depending on your taste preferences. It’s also helpful to do so since the Jolly Rancher candies used as garnish will start to dissolve in the drink and may offset a few of the other ingredients.  
  • Experiment with different colors of vodka if you like but be warned that they are likely to blend together fairly quickly. I tried layering colors which looks cool, but blends quickly.  

More Incredible Drink Recipes To Try

  • Orange Lemon Gin Cocktail
  • Classic Rum Mojito Recipe
  • Strawberry Sangria
Three glasses of turquoise Jolly Rancher Cocktail with paper straws, jolly rancher candy on marble countertop

Jolly Rancher Cocktail

If vodka and 7Up  is your drink, this cocktail is just one step further.  Tastes just like your favorite Jolly Rancher flavor in a bubbly sweet drink!
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Wait Time: 1 day
Servings: 2
Calories: 218kcal
Author: girlinspired
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces vodka per jolly rancher color
  • 4-6 Jolly Rancher candies plus lots more for garnish
  • 8-12 ounces lemon-lime soda
  • ice

Instructions

  • Place ~4-6 same-color Jolly Rancher candies into a jar or container with a lid. Pour 4 ounches of vodka over the Jolly Ranchers and cover the container with an airtight lid. Allow candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture.
    Five glasses with lid filled with different colored Jolly Rancher Candy dissolved in vodka, jolly rancher candy, white subway tiles in the background
  • When ready to make the cocktails, fill glasses with ice.
    3 glasses filled with ice, a bottle of vodka, lemon soda can, jolly rancher candy on a marble countertop
  • Add two ounces of candy alcohol to each glass.
    Jolly Rancher Vodka mixed filled in drinking glass with ice
  • Fill the glass the rest of the way with lemon-lime soda.
    Lemon soda filled into glasses with ice and Jolly Rancher Vodka Mix
  • Top with Jolly Rancher candies and serve.
    Two glasses of turquoise Jolly Rancher Cocktail with paper straws, jolly rancher candy on marble countertop
Tried this recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @girlinspired!

Notes

Storage:
Candied alcohol will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 18g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Drinks, Food and Recipes Tagged With: candy, vodka

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