Christmas Jello Shots

square photo of jello shots on a white platter

These Christmas jello shots are bright, festive, and a fun way to serve a little holiday cheer. Made with simple ingredients and full of seasonal flavor, they’re perfect for parties—and so easy to prep ahead of time.

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Keyword colorful jello shots, holiday cocktail, jello shots

Prep Time 10

Time in the fridge 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings servings

Calories 60kcal

Author Elaine Benoit

Equipment

40 jello shot cups - 2 ounces (or as many as you need)
glass bowl
whisk

Ingredients

3 ounces lime jello (box)
3 ounces black cherry jello (or other red flavor)
3 ounces orange jello
3 ounces lemon jello
4 cups boiling water (divided - 1 cup per flavor)
2 cups vodka (divided - 1/2 cup per flavor)
2 cups cold water (divided - 1/2 cup per flavor)

Instructions

The night before you make this recipe, put as much vodka as you need in the freezer if you don't store it there already. You want it as cold as possible.
Before making the recipe, fill a big bowl or measuring cup that fits at least 2 cups of water. Add ice cubes to get the water as cold as you can.
Put enough water on to boil - 4 cups.
Empty each package of jello mix in separate glass containers or bowls.
3 ounces lime jello, 3 ounces black cherry jello, 3 ounces orange jello, 3 ounces lemon jello
Pour 1 cup of boiling water into each flavor of jello.
4 cups boiling water
Stir each flavor of jello with a whisk (make sure to rinse between each flavor as you don't want to sully the color/flavor) or tablespoon until the powder has melted.
Pour 1/2 cup of chilled vodka into each flavor of jello.
2 cups vodka
Fish out any ice left in the cold water and discard. Pour 1/2 cup of cold water into each flavor of jello.
2 cups cold water
Stir the jello until combined.
Line up the jello cups on a table.
Either transfer the jello to a container with a pouring spout or carefully pour each flavor of jello into the jello cups.
Place the lid on each Jello cup and stack them in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Serve, smile, and enjoy.

Notes

Helpful tips

Feel free to use any jello or gelatin flavors you like, but these four are my go-tos. Lime jello (green) is especially popular around the holidays, and if I had to pick a favorite, that would be it.
There are a few red options to choose from. I usually go with dark cherry, but cranberry and strawberry work great too.
I boil filtered water in a quick-boil kettle for this recipe—it’s fast and easy.
This version uses vodka, but you can swap in any clear alcohol, like white rum, coconut rum, or blanco tequila. If you don’t mind a darker jello color, you can also use spirits like bourbon, whiskey, or scotch.
The plastic shot glasses I use hold 2 ounces, but any size will do. I picked these because they’re easy to squeeze the jello out of, and they come with lids—perfect for stacking in the fridge while they set.

Nutrition