Rainbow Jello Shots Recipe
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These rainbow Jello shots are guaranteed to bring lots of colorful cheer to your next party. With six layers of fruity vodka-spiked Jello, these impressive-looking shots are the perfect way to get everyone in a festive mood!
Want the perfect drink for your next party? We’re all about the Jello shots these days and have made everything from butterbeer Jello shots to orange creamsicle Jello shots! These pretty rainbow Jello shots may just be our new favorite though!
Six different flavors of Jello are combined with vodka and layered to create the beautiful rainbow effect, with all the rainbow colors in one fun and fruity shot! Top them with whipped cream and colorful rainbow candy for a grown up treat that’s truly a showstopper.
Though layered shots look like they’d be difficult to make, they’re actually super easy. Perfect for any party or summer event, they make a great St. Patrick’s Day Jello shot too. No matter what the occasion, this is such a fun way to get your celebration off to a festive start!
Why We Love This Recipe
It’s Beautiful – It’s hard to imagine a prettier or more colorful shot to serve at parties. The cheerful rainbow-colored layers, fluffy whipped cream topping, and rainbow candy garnish will bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
It’s Inexpensive – If you’re looking for a fancy and impressive looking treat that won’t break the bank, this rainbow shot is just what you need! The only expensive ingredient is the vodka (depending on what brand you buy) but a little goes a long way.
It’s Easy – This is one of our favorite easy recipes. Though it looks difficult, it truly is as easy as making Jello. It does take a little patience, since each layer needs time to set, but the refrigerator does most of the work for you!
Ingredients
- Strawberry Jello
- Orange Jello
- Pineapple Jello
- Lime Jello
- Berry Blue Jello
- Grape Jello
- Water
- Vodka
- Cool Whip
- Rainbow Berry Airheads
How to Make Rainbow Jello Shots
Step 1: Place 16 clear plastic shot glasses (or 3 oz plastic cups) on a sheet pan or in a baking dish.
Step 2: Start with the purple Jello layer. Boil 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and then whisk the grape Jello powder into the boiling water, stirring until the gelatin dissolves completely.
Step 3: Stir 1/2 cup vodka into the purple Jello mixture.
Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Mix well.
Step 5: Pour the purple Jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer. Keep in mind that there will be six layers total so be sure to leave enough room and plan the first layer accordingly. Move the cups to the refrigerator and let the Jello chill for 1.5 hours.
Step 6: After the purple layer has been set, prepare the blue layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in the berry blue Jello packet, stirring until dissolved.
Step 7: Stir ½ cup vodka into the blue Jello mixture.
Step 8: Add ½ cup cold water and mix well.
Step 9: Pour Jello evenly between each of the shot cups in a thin layer. Move the cups back to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
Step 10: Repeat this same process for the green layer, yellow layer, orange layer, and finally the red Jello layer. After adding the final layer, move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours, one last time.
Step 11: Before serving, cut 2 rainbow berry Airhead strips into 1-inch pieces.
Step 12: Place a frosting tip in a piping bag. Add whipped topping and pipe onto the Jello shots.
Step 13: Add one airhead piece to each Jello shot. If you don’t have airhead strips, you could use a maraschino cherry for each one instead.
Tips & Tricks
- If the kids see these eye-catching treats, they’re definitely going to want some. But don’t worry – you can make a kid-friendly version by omitting the alcohol and preparing the Jello according to package directions. If making both, you can use a different candy or color the Cool Whip to tell them apart.
- If you don’t have vodka, you can substitute regular or malibu rum. Vanilla or whipped cream flavored vodka would also be delicious in this recipe.
- Be sure each layer of this rainbow jello recipe is completely set before adding the next one, and make sure that the next layer is completely cool before pouring it on top. Otherwise, your colors may run together and your shots won’t look as pretty.
- Don’t add too much alcohol. Though it’s definitely tempting, it could keep your shots from setting correctly.
How Long Will These Keep?
These shots will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge, so feel free to make them a few days in advance. Be sure to keep them covered or place them in an airtight container, or the Jello may form a slight residue on top. Just wait to add the whipped cream until just before serving.
What Kind of Vodka Should I Use?
You don’t need to go with a top shelf brand for vodka Jello shots – any good mid-range brand, like Tito’s, Smirnoff or Skyy will work. Pinnacle makes a whipped cream vodka that would be a good choice and you could also try a clear blue raspberry vodka.
Oops…did you finish off the vodka at your last party? You can make these fun rainbow shots with white rum too.
More Jello Shot Recipes
- Pineapple Jello Shots
- Fireball Jello Shots
- Irish Flag Jello Shots
- Margarita Jello Shots
- Fourth Of July Layered Jello Shot Recipe
Rainbow Jello Shots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box Strawberry Jello (3 ounce size)
- 1 box Orange Jello (3 ounce size)
- 1 box Pineapple Jello (3 ounce size)
- 1 box Lime Jello (3 ounce size)
- 1 box Berry Blue Jello (3 ounce size)
- 1 box Grape Jello (3 ounce size)
- 9 cups water divided
- 3 cups vodka divided
- Rainbow Berry Airheads for garnish
- Cool Whip for garnish
Instructions
- Place 16 clear plastic shot glasses (or 3 oz plastic cups) on a sheet pan or in a baking dish.
- Prepare the purple Jello layer. Boil 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and then whisk the grape Jello powder into the hot water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Add 1/2 cup vodka and 1/2 cup cold water to the purple Jello mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the purple Jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer. Keep in mind that there will be six layers total so be sure to leave enough room. Move the cups to the refrigerator to allow the first layer to chill for 1.5 hours.
- After the purple layer has set, prepare the blue layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in the berry blue Jello packet, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Add ½ cup vodka and 1/2 cup cold water into the blue Jello mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Pour Jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer, then move the cups back to the refrigerator to chill for another 1.5 hours.
- Repeat this same process for the green, yellow, orange, and red Jello layers (in that order). After adding the final layer, move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours, one last time.
- Before serving, cut 2 rainbow berry Airhead strips into 1-inch pieces.
- Add cool whip to a piping bag with a frosting tip, and pipe onto the Jello shots.
- Finish them off by topping each Jello shot with an airhead strip. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If you want your shots to slide out more easily, spray the cups lightly with cooking spray before adding any Jello.
- If you don’t have airhead strips, you can substitute maraschino cherries.
- Don’t add too much alcohol or it could keep the shots from setting correctly.
- Want a non-alcoholic version? Just leave out the vodka. If you’re making both, you can differentiate them with different candies or by coloring the Cool Whip different colors.
Nutrition
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