Does anyone else out there associate the Fourth of July VERY strongly with jello? In this case, it’s a dotted red, white, and blue 4th of July jello shots recipe!
Pretty sure I’ve been served (or at least spotted) patriotic jello in some shape or form every 4th of my lifetime.
If you want to go jello this year, I, Colleen, strongly recommend this adult version: token red, white, and blue jello shots!
There’s just something about celebrating our independence that screams pure, unadorned fun. I mean, it’s a holiday that comes with fireworks, so I can’t be alone on this one!
Every year, even if I’m not hosting the party, I’m bringing something with me. Since it’s pretty hard to bring a liquid cocktail for a whole party (serving temperature and ice dilution are always issues), I love to come with boozy jello…
Red, White, and Blue | How to Make 4th of July Jello Shots
As you already know, I’m ALL about recipes you can make ahead! Hence my infamous champagne jello shots here!
Even better, these jello shots taste like an actual cocktail (not just throwing some vodka into jello mix, eek!): a creamy, citrus-y summer refresher, almost like sherbet or an ice cream float.
The sweetened condensed milk gives it a creamy white base for the berry blue and red “broken glass” chunks of jello to pop through. It’s a fun twist on your standard layered jello recipe.
It’s retro for sure, but something about pops of color floating on a sea of white always looks enticing to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love the blue layered shot glasses that come with the season just as much as the next girl but this seems a bit more impressive.
The colors can easily be switched up for any other occasion or holiday. You could make a red and green combination for Christmas jello shots or super dark purple and orange for Halloween jello shots, too.
Wouldn’t pink and blue be fun for a baby shower or gender reveal, too?!
How to Store & Serve 4th of July Jello Shots
Since you’re likely to not want a lot of dishes to handle during an outdoor 4th of July party, it’s best to either serve your jello shots in individual containers that guests can easily dispose of or serve them in individual slices on a chilled serving plate.
You can easily make these jello shots in advance and store them in an airtight container for up 7 to 10 days. That said, they’re always better served fresh!
This particular recipe tastes extra yummy with a dollop of whipped cream on top, so keep that in mind if you’re wanting a cute garnish for them as well.
If you want to bring your A-game to your 4th of July party, these jello shots are definitely for you!
It’s definitely much more of a statement contribution than glasses filling with beer. Who knew unflavored gelatine and a few cups of water could be so good?!
Okay, so maybe it’s not THAT simple, but you get what I mean! Be sure to check out more of our favorite jello shots recipes at the bottom of the post!
Red, White, and Blue 4th of July Jello Shots Recipe
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 12 oz gin
- 3 oz freshly squeezed/strained lemon juice
- 3 oz freshly squeezed/strained lime juice
- 3 oz simple syrup
- 1 can low-fat sweetened condensed milk
- 5 envelopes of gelatin
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- red and blue food coloring
Instructions
- Combine the simple syrup, salt, lime, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then pour into a medium saucepan and sprinkle with three envelopes of gelatin.
- Allow the gelatin to soak for two minutes, then heat over very low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and add the gin, stirring well to blend. Divide into two bowls, then color each with red and blue dye (I use the natural food dyes available online and at specialty stores like Whole Foods).
- Pour into two very lightly greased loaf pans and chill until fully set, several hours or overnight.
- Slice the red and blue jello loaves into small squares, then carefully mix them in a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan OR lightly greased silicone ice cube trays (my preference!) by spooning some of each color into each square.
- In a separate bowl, sprinkle remaining 2 envelopes gelatin into 1/2 cup cold water. Allow the gelatin to soak for two minutes, then add 1 1/2 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved.
- Add the can of condensed milk. Stir and allow to cool to room temperature but NOT set.
- Pour cooled milk mixture over jello and chill overnight. If you used a baking pan, carefully turn out the jello, cut into blocks, and serve.
- If you used ice trays, carefully turn out the jello but skip the cutting part!
Nutrition
Quick & Easy Shot Recipes
