Learn how to make a patriotic layered jello shot with this recipe and tips.

A red white and blue drink is a fun way to celebrate the 4th of July or any other summer holiday. You can try a classic layered cocktail, or a frozen red white and blue drink. Or you can put your mixology skills to the test and make these red white and blue layered jello shots.
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I am partnering with some other cocktail lovers to bring you a host of summer drinks. Pin these recipes and try them all this summer, you and your guests will be happy you did.
How to make a Jello shot
An alcoholic recipe for jello shots is made with flavored gelatin and hot water, as usual, but some of the water is swapped out for vodka or another clear alcohol.

The ratio matters. Too much vodka and the jello won’t set, you’ll end up with a sloppy mess of a shot. Too little and these are just jello in a cup without the kick. Still festive, but probably not what you are going for.
Layering a Jello shot takes a little more skill but read through this post and follow my tips and you’ll be making these in no time.
The key to a perfect layered shot is timing. Make sure you have a few hours ahead of you before starting this recipe. Each layer needs to set in the refrigerator for 60 minutes so you can add the next layer without mixing colors.
How to make a layered jello shot
Gather your supplies. You’ll need small plastic cups with lids for the shots. You’ll also need the following
- Blue Jello flavor
- Red Jello flavor
- Unflavored gelatin
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Vodka
- Hot water
- Hot pads
- Tray to hold the shots
- Glass heat resistant bowls for mixing and pouring – this bowl is ideal for making layered shots
Start with blue Jell-o as the bottom layer. Mix it up according to the recipe below and fill 24 plastic cups with a small amount of blue Jell-o. Then refrigerate the entire tray and let it set before moving on.

The second, white layer, is made using sweetened condensed milk. It adds a creamy flavor and it’s the only way I’ve found to get a white layer into this shot. Pour the white layer on top of the blue, the blue should be soft set and hold the white without the colors bleeding together.

Adding the white between the red and blue clearly separates the colors and makes the 3 layers look crisp and eye-catching.
Refrigerate the shots again for 60 minutes to let the second layer set.
Finally mix up the red Jell-o and add it on top of the white layer. Give these shots a final cool down in the fridge for at least 1 hour and you are ready to serve!

Store these jello shots in a cooler or refrigerator until you are ready to serve them. Especially in the warm summer months, they will start to melt and break down quickly.
Give this layered jello shot a try, you’ll get about 2 dozen using these cups.
If you like this layered jello shot, pin it now and try the recipe this summer.
Make 4th of July jello shots for your summer party, create a delicious drink that stands out on the buffet table. Guests will be excited to try one of these patriotic shots.


Red White and Blue Layered Jello Shot
A patriotic summer drink, layered Jell-o shot a festive take on a classic treat.
Ingredients
- 3oz Blue Jello
- 3oz Red Jello
- .25 Unflavored gelatin
- 7oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2.25 cups vodka
- 3.25 cups hot water
Instructions
- Mix blue jello powder with 1.25 cups of hot water and stir until dissolved. Add 3/4 cup vodka and mix well.
- Pour blue jello into 2oz shot cups filling 1/3 of the way full.
- Refrigerate for 60 minutes.
- Miz .25 oz (1 packet) or unflavored gelatin with 3/4 cup hot water and stir until dissolved. Add 3/4 cup vodka and stir.
- Mix in 7oz. sweetened condensed milk and stir until combined.
- Remove blue jello shots from the refrigerate and pour white jello mixture on top, filling a third of the cup.
- Refrigerate for 60 minutes.
- Mix red jello powder with 1.25 cups of hot water and stir until dissolved. Add 3/4 cup vodka and mix well.
- Remove jello shots from the refrigerator.
- Pour red jello on top of the first two layers and refrigerate for 60 minutes until set.
Notes
- The key to perfectly layered cups is allowing the shots to set after each layer, don't skip this part!
- Make these a day ahead of time and store in the refrigerator, they need time to set before eating.
- Try using flavored vodka for a fun twist.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 73Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 22mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 1g
Watch the video to see just how easily these red white and blue jello shots come together.
Now take a look at these delicious summer cocktails and click over for the full recipe.

Pina Colada Sangria from Happy Go Lucky Blog • Blueberry Pomegranate Martini from Weekend Craft • Canadian Sunset from Red Cottage Chronicles • Red White and Blue Layered Jello Shots from Creative Ramblings • Irish Whiskey Summer Iced Tea from Our Crafty Mom
Thanks for visiting!



Andrea Phillips
Monday 19th of July 2021
Any idea how long they keep for in the fridge?
Sarah
Tuesday 10th of August 2021
For the best flavor, I would eat/drink them within a week.
Beatrice
Friday 3rd of July 2020
Kinda sad :( I timed everything but when I added the white is slowly started mixing blue into it. I made sure the blue sat in fridge for an hour and it was jello before I added the white so idk why it happened
Lisa Neumann
Friday 23rd of June 2023
@Beatrice, I’m in the middle of doing these. I am doing white layer now. I think the white layer has to cool down more than the first layer.
Martha
Sunday 4th of July 2021
@Beatrice,
I had the same issue. I made some changes and would make more in the future. In the future, I will store my vodka in the freezer (it won't freeze, don't worry), and I will also not get my water so hot before dissolving the gelatin/Jello (I think these things made it too hard to cool down in an hour). I did do one thing that helped somewhat - borrow a trick from a bartender who is layering drinks and pour it across the back of a spoon (google videos if you're unsure what I mean). This helps to displace the liquid instead of a stream all in one spot. Happy Jello shotting!
chris a bartender
Saturday 3rd of July 2021
@Beatrice, let the white/red cool a little before you add it. i always use the hottest possible water to mix the power with 2-3 mins. then use refrigerated liquor once the powder is fully mixed and gone. also remember jello shots are fun and people want to do more then one so instead of doing 1\2 hot water 1\2 hard liquor try 1\2 hot water 1\4 hard liquor 1\4 schnapps. makes them taste better and aunt sue wont be wasted telling all her dirty laundry after three shots
Sarah
Monday 6th of July 2020
Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe it needs to sit longer, I made these again this year and the layers worked just fine. My best advise it to let the blue sit in the fridge longer.
Hannah
Sunday 7th of July 2019
Hi! I just tried this recipe and it turned out well. The only thing I would add is the amount of water necessary (I went by the box instruction) and I would update the amount of vodka needed (3/4 cups ×3 = 2.25 cups, not 1.5 listed in the ingredients). Thanks for the recipe!
Sarah
Monday 8th of July 2019
Glad they turned out well, its such a fun recipe. I didn't use the box recipe either, I played with the measurements a bit. Gotta do what works best for you. Thanks for the tips.