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A tray of gelatin shots prior to refrigeration
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One of the more creative ways to serve alcohol at a party is to work it into gelatin, and serve the gelatin in small cups, making what most people will recognize as Jello shots. It's pretty much like making regular Jello, except with some alcohol added instead of cold water. There are a few things to be mindful of, though, or else the gelatin won't set! Here's how to do it right.

Ingredients

To make approximately 40 1oz. shots or 20 2oz. shots:

  • 16 ounces (2 cups) boiling water
  • 6 oz. package of gelatin
  • 6 ounces cold water (3/4 cup)
  • 12 ounces chilled alcohol (1 1/2 cup)
    • Depending on the proof of alcohol you use, adjust the proportions of alcohol to cold water to ensure that the shot still sets. Use the following ratios:
      • 13 ounces of 30-50 (~20%) proof alcohol to 3 ounces cold water
      • 10 ounces 80-100 (~45%) proof alcohol to 6 ounces cold water
      • 6 ounces 150-200 proof alcohol to 10 ounces cold water
    • chill alcohol at least one hour prior (not in the freezer, unless the alcohol is over 80-proof; anything else might freeze and break the bottle)

Steps

  1. Bring water to a rolling boil, then remove from heat.
  2. Stir together boiling water and powdered gelatin in a mixing bowl. Stir constantly until gelatin is completely dissolved.
  3. Stir in cold water and alcohol.
  4. Spray the inside of the cups with cooking spray, so the Jello easily slides out of the cups during use. Adding spoons, if you have enough of them, can help, too. Popsicle sticks can serve as a cheaper alternative.
  5. Pour mixture into shot glasses, individual shot-size (1oz-2oz) plastic cups, or accordion-like squeezable cups manufactured specifically for this purpose.
    • Although shot glasses look prettier and allow you to see the vibrant colors of the Jello, paper cups allow for easier Jello shot consumption as they can be turned inside out. Accordion-like squeezable cups will compress flat and force the jello out, into your mouth.
    • To make the Jello easier to consume, buy plastic cups that also have lids. Pour the mix into the cup, add the lid, then turn it upside down prior to refrigeration.
  6. Place shots on a tray in refrigerator (not the freezer). Chill until firm (approximately 2-4 hours). Refrigerate until served.

Serving Variations

  • Jello shot slices. Cut oranges in half. Use a spoon to remove the pulp, leaving just the rind of half an orange. Fill the halves with gelatin shot mixture. Refrigerate until firm. Cut orange halves into thirds. Make these at least the night before, as they gel up in a few hours, but when you slice they can fall apart. Also, you may find that one half works better than the other, because one end always leaks. See How to Make Jello Shots in an Orange for more information.
  • Rainbow shots. See How to Make Rainbow Jello.
  • St. Patrick's Day or Earth Day shots. Make the shots in various shades of green. You can do this by adding green and/or blue food coloring to yellow Jello.
  • Doctor's order shots. Shots aren't just given in shot glasses; they're also administered with syringes! (Doctor outfit is optional.)

More Potent Shots
This variation makes 6 large cups with 2oz of alcohol each, or 12 small cups with 1oz of alcohol each, yet still sets hard and tastes great. In this variation, Jello must be cooled to room temperature before adding alcohol, and the alcohol must be very cold. Failure to do so will result in the evaporation of all the alcohol before the Jello sets.

  1. Dissolve 2 regular sized Jello packages or one large packet into 1.5 cups (12 oz) boiling water. Do not transfer it from the boiling vessel as this will sap critical heat.
  2. Stir for at least a minute to fully dissolve and construct the gelatin.
  3. Let cool for ten minutes. It isn't enough time to set up the Jello but it will do a lot to keep the alcohol from evaporating.
  4. Add 1.5 cups (12 oz) of ice cold 80-proof alcohol of your choice (such as vodka). You can put the alcohol in the freezer beforehand, as this will help minimize vapor loss, but only if you use an alcohol over 80-proof; anything else might freeze and break the bottle.
  5. Stir and pour into your cups and refrigerate. It sets hard in about 1 hour.
  6. Be extremely careful when consuming and serving since these contain a lot more alcohol than you think.

Tips

  • To make firm shots, add a packet of Knox gelatin to the mix before adding the boiling water. It's unflavored and helps make them firm, which also makes it possible for you to make molds.
  • If you use cups with lids, you can run them under warm water for a moment or two, just before serving, to loosen them.
  • Make bubbly shots by adding soda water to the mix in place of some of the water.
  • Be creative in mixing Jello flavors with alcohol. If you have a favorite alcoholic drink, try converting it into Jello shot form using unflavored Jello, juice, soda and alcohol.
    • Orange and cherry are Jello flavors that work well with Brandy.
    • Lime Jello with tequila and Triple Sec (try adding a pinch of salt to the liquid mixture)
    • Lime Jello with Coconut Rum
    • Orange Jello with orange cognac and brandy (such as Grand Marnier) or peach Schnapps
    • Unflavored gelatin with Coca Cola and rum
    • Cranberry Jello with vodka
    • Cherry Jello with cherry brandy
    • Raspberry Jello with raspberry Schnapps
    • Tropical fruit Jello (or unflavored gelatin mixed with fruit punch) with dark rum or mango liqueur
    • Unflavored Jello with lemonade and whiskey
    • Strawberry Jello with light rum and strawberry liqueur (such as Pucker)
    • Apricot Jello with amaretto
    • Lime Jello with Sake
    • Lime Jello with Sprite, Pimm's, and cucumber garnish
    • Strawberry Jello with champagne (retains some bubbles!)
    • Orange Jello with amaretto
    • Pineapple Jello with coconut rum
    • Blue Jello with Everclear
    • Black Cherry with Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
    • Orange Jello with Absolut Mandarin
    • Lime Jello with Tequila
    • Pineapple Jello with Mango Rum
    • Lime Jello with Southern Comfort-SOCO and Lime Shot
    • Orange Jello with Absolut Mandarin Vodka
    • Cherry Jello with Chocolate liqueur

Warnings

  • Like any common advice, if you are under the legal drinking age in your area do not ingest any sort of alcohol.
  • If you use an alcohol under 80-proof, do not put it in the freezer; it may freeze and break the bottle.
  • Do not transfer boiling water directly into shot containers.
  • Even though Jello shots taste like candy, they each contain as much or more alcohol than a beer, wine or shot, so please consume in moderation; warn your guests, wait a few minutes between shots and count your drinks.
  • Jello stains are difficult to clean. Club soda and ice water help avoid stains caused by spills.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Jello Shots. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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James Hicks

James is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of HicksNewMedia, a Digital Publishing and Technology Consulting team providing effective and relevant solutions to individuals and businesses looking to more effective utilize the social interweb. Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook.

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James Hicks

James is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of HicksNewMedia, a Digital Publishing and Technology Consulting team providing effective and relevant solutions to individuals and businesses looking to more effective utilize the social interweb. Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook.

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