4th Of July Jello Shots Recipe

These delicious 4th of July Jello shots are so fun and festive, you’ll want to make them for all the patriotic holidays. A fun twist on the classic Jello shot, it’s our favorite way to add a dose of extra cheer to any party!

While I enjoyed a Jello shot or two (or three) back in my college days, years had gone by since I made them again. But Jello shots are back and more fun than ever!

The first time I made these for a July 4th party, they were a huge hit. Now they’re one of my go-to recipes for summer celebrations and they disappear almost as fast as I can set them out! The best part is that while they look pretty fancy, they are easy, breezy to make.

I used Strawberry and Berry Blue Jello mix for the red blue layers with unflavored gelatin and sweetened condensed milk for the white layer. Smirnoff Red, White, and Berry Vodka adds a fun boozy twist with a delicious berry flavor. Then you just need whipped cream and sprinkles for the perfect finishing touch.

Part shot and part dessert, there’s no better way to celebrate the summer holidays!

Why We Love These Layered Jello Shots

They’re Festive – With its colorful layers, this treat is perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July parties.

They Double As A Dessert – While we love the alcoholic version, you can easily omit the vodka and follow the package directions for a family friendly dessert.

They’re Easy – Although layered shots take a little more time to make than a regular Jello shot, I love how easy this recipe is to make.

Ingredients

• Strawberry Jello mix – creates the colorful red layer of your shots
• Berry blue Jello mix – creates the blue layer of your shots
• Sweetened condensed milk – there’s no white Jello so this gives you the white layer of your shots
• Knox unflavored gelatin – makes the condensed milk more firm
• Boiling water, divided – dissolves the Jello mix and Knox gelatin
• Cold water – cools the Jello down to help it set.
• Red White and Berry vodka, divided – adds the fun boozy kick to your shots!
• Whipped cream and patriotic sprinkles for topping – gives the shots an extra fancy and festive look.

How to Make 4th of July Jello Shots

Step 1: Place 3-oz plastic cups onto a cookie sheet. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and whisk in the berry blue Jello mixture, stirring until it’s completely dissolved.

Step 2: Once the Jello has dissolved, add 1 cup of vodka, and stir to combine.

Step 3: Add in 1 cup of cold water and stir again. Allow the mixture to cool for about 20 minutes.

Step 4: Pour the blue gelatin mixture into your shot cups, filling them ⅓ of the way full. Place them in the refrigerator to set for about 2 hours.

Step 5: To make the white layer, boil 2 cups of water and then add the sweetened condensed milk.

Step 6: Whisk in 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin. Allow to cool for 25-30 minutes.

Step 7: Pour the white gelatin mixture on top of the blue layer, filling another ⅓ of the way. Place in the refrigerator for another 2 hours until set.

Step 8: Now make another layer by whisking the strawberry Jello powder into 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until dissolved.

Step 9: Stir in 1 cup of vodka.

Step 10: Add 1 cup of cold water and stir again.

Step 11: Allow to cool for 25-30 minutes, then add the red Jello layer on top of the white layer. The Jello cups should be almost full. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to set.

Step 12: Just before serving, top the Jello shots with whipped cream.

Step 13: Finish off with some red, white, and blue sprinkles.

Tips & Tricks

• Try to resist the urge to add extra vodka. It’s tempting to add a bit more than the recipe calls for (trust me, I know)! But adding too much alcohol will prevent your Jello from setting properly.
• When adding your second and third layers of Jello to the shot cups, be sure they’re completely cool before pouring on top of the previous layer. If the top layers are too warm when added, the colors of the Jello will run.
• You can substitute cherry jello for strawberry if you prefer.
• If you don’t have the Smirnoff Red, White and Berry vodka, you can use regular or vanilla vodka. Whipped cream vodka would also be great, or you could even use coconut rum.
• You can use glass shot glasses but we find that it’s easier to get the Jello out of these plastic shot glasses. Plus, they’re disposable so it makes cleanup a whole lot easier.

Can you freeze Jello shots recipes?

Jello shots don’t freeze well so it’s not recommended. Of course, you can freeze them anyway but the texture, and maybe even the flavor, may be different when you pull them out.

How to eat Jello shots

The best way to eat Jello shots is to loosen them with your finger first. Run your finger around the inside of the Jello shot cups to separate the gelatin from the cup, then just turn the cup up as if you’re drinking a regular shot. Since the Jello is no longer attached to the cup, it should slide right out into your mouth.