Easy 4th of July Jello Shots

These red, white, and blue Jell-O shots are the ultimate party treat for your 4th of July bash! Easy to make, perfectly layered, and topped with whipped cream + patriotic sprinkles. A must-try for Memorial Day, Labor Day, or any summer celebration!

Delicious 4th of July Jello Shots.

If you're anything like me, when those summer holidays roll around - Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day - you're looking for quick, fun, festive bites to keep the party going without spending all day in the kitchen. And let me tell you, these red, white, and blue Jell-O shots are the thing to bring to your next celebration.

I’ve made these every year for our 4th of July backyard BBQ (shoutout to our inflatable pool and mini fireworks show), and they are always a big hit. We're talking gone-in-10-minutes kind of good.

So today, I'm sharing my go-to vodka Jello shots recipe, layered with a sweet berry blue base, a creamy middle and topped with a bright cherry red layer. It’s not just eye-catching - it’s delicious. Whether you're using plastic Jello shot cups or fancy glass shot glasses, these little party shots steal the show every time.

Easy 4th of July Jello Shots.

They’re ridiculously cute with those bold red, white, and blue layers, and you can make them ahead of time - major win. They’re super easy to whip up, even if you’ve never made a shot in your life.

All you need are simple ingredients: just flavored Jell-O, sweetened condensed milk, and a cup of vodka (or two). And because I’m all about quick bites and crowd-pleasers, I’ve simplified everything down to just a few simple steps.

To make them non-alcoholic for kids sub the vodka with an extra half cup of water!

Ingredients.

Blue Layer (Bottom):

• 1 box blue Jell-O (e.g. berry blue)

• 1 cup boiling water

• ½ cup cold water

• ½ cup vodka

White Layer (Middle):

• 2 packets unflavored gelatin

• ½ cup cold water (for blooming the gelatin)

• 1 cup boiling water

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Red Layer (Top):

• 1 box red Jell-O (e.g. cherry or strawberry)

• 1 cup boiling water

• ½ cup cold water

• ½ cup vodka

Garnish:

• Whipped cream

• Red, white, and blue sprinkles

How to make Fourth of July Jello Shots.

Blue Layer (Bottom):

1. Dissolve blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water.

2. Stir in ½ cup cold water and ½ cup vodka.

3. Place your empty shot glasses onto a baking sheet or cookie sheet.

4. Pour into 1-oz shot glasses, filling each one about ⅓ full.

5. Chill in fridge until set (2–3 hours).

White Layer (Middle):

1. For the next layer, sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup cold water; let it sit for a few minutes to bloom*.

2. Stir in 1 cup boiling hot water until gelatin dissolves.

3. Mix in sweetened condensed milk. Cool to room temperature.

4. Once the blue layer is set, pour the white layer on top of the blue layer (fill to about ⅔ full).

5. Return to the refrigerator and chill until set (another 2–3 hours).

Red Layer (Top):

1. Dissolve red strawberry of cherry Jello in 1 cup boiling water.

2. Stir in ½ cup cold water and ½ cup vodka.

3. Once white layer is firm, carefully add red layer filling the glasses to the top.

4. Chill until fully set (2–3 hours or overnight for best results).

Garnish (Before Serving):

1. Add a small dollop of whipped cream on each shot.

2. Sprinkle with red, white, and blue sprinkles.

*What Does "Blooming" Gelatin Mean?

Gelatin starts as dry granules or sheets. If you add it straight into hot liquid, it can clump or not dissolve properly. Blooming ensures the gelatin absorbs water and swells up evenly, so it’ll melt smoothly when heated, giving your recipe that nice, even set.

How to Bloom Powdered Gelatin:

1. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over a small amount of cold water (or other cold liquid).

2. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. It'll absorb the liquid and become thick and jelly-like.

3. Once bloomed, add hot liquid (like boiling water or hot milk) to dissolve it completely.

So, when the recipe says to ‘bloom ' 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin in ½ cup of cold water,' you're just giving the gelatin time to soften up before mixing it into your white condensed milk layer.

Whether you’re team whipped cream or team keep-it-simple, these fun patriotic Jell-O shots are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re quick, fun, and the perfect little treat to toast friends this summer.

So next time you're planning your Memorial Day Party, or even a random summer girls’ night add a pop of color and fun to the table with these sweet little treats.

📌 Save this recipe card or pin it for later - and let me know in the comments if you try them! I’d love to see how yours turn out!