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Jell-O Shots (Red, White, and Blue Vodka Layers)

Jell-O shots with red, white, and blue vodka layers—clear, glossy, and jiggly in every cup. This easy Jell-O shots recipe builds three translucent layers with condensed milk gelatin for a clean patriotic look.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
setting 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 88
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cherry or strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry Jell-O
Berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O
Unflavored gelatin (white layer)
  • 1 box (3 oz) unflavored gelatin (for white layer)
Sweetened condensed milk (white layer)
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (for white layer)
Boiling water, divided
  • 3 cups boiling water, divided
Cold vodka, divided
  • 1.5 cups cold vodka, divided
Cold water (white layer)
  • 0.5 cup cold water (for white layer)

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the red layer
  1. Dissolve cherry or strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved.
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka and pour into shot cups, filling them about one-third full.
  3. Refrigerate for 45 minutes until fully set, with the surface looking firm and slightly glossy.
Make the white layer
  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup boiling water, and unflavored gelatin, stirring until dissolved.
  2. Cool slightly, then add 1/2 cup cold water.
  3. Spoon the white mixture gently over the set red layer to avoid breaking the surface.
  4. Refrigerate for another 45 minutes until the white layer is set and holds its shape.
Make the blue layer
  1. Dissolve berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved.
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup cold vodka, then cool to room temperature.
  3. Gently pour the blue mixture over the white layer, keeping the pour slow for clean lines.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set, then serve cold with distinct red-white-blue layers.

Notes

For the cleanest layer separation, let each mixture cool to room temperature before pouring onto the set layer, and pour slowly right above the center of the cup. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; do not freeze, as the texture can become grainy. For a lower-sugar option, use a no-sugar-added gelatin mix for the red and blue layers (white layer remains condensed-milk based unless you swap it for a sugar-free condensed milk product).