Rainbow Jello Shots are made by layering vibrant fruity jello mixed with vodka into small cups, and topped off with Cool Whip and Rainbow Berry Airheads to finish. They are so cute and colorful, they are the perfect adult-only treats for any summer gathering or barbecue.
It’s simple to make these kid-friendly by substituting the alcohol with juice or water.
Rainbow Cake Jello Shots
Nothing says ‘party’ more than rainbow jello shots, and not only are these jell-o shots rainbow layered, but they are also frosted and decorated with rainbows too. These vibrantly-colored small jello cups are so much fun and they are easy to make too.
These tiny cups of joy are a bit of a labor of love and take a little patience to make, as you need to wait for each layer of jello to reach a solid state before adding the next one. However, the result you get is so amazing, they’re sure to WOW any guests coming over and add some rainbow fun to your party.
It’s such a creative way to serve vodka jello shots to your guests, your efforts will not go unappreciated. You can easily make them kid-friendly by eliminating the alcohol from the recipe too.
This recipe is so versatile, and once you have mastered the rainbow jello shot, you will forever be grateful to have it as a staple in your repertoire. You can customize your shots by using any combination of jell-o flavor layers to cater to any event or party spread, making a new creation every time. For the Fourth of July, you could make these Patriotic Jello Shots or Red, White & Blue Jello dessert, and for Christmas, there’s Festive Layered Jello too.
Ingredients
- Strawberry Jello
- Orange Jello
- Pineapple Jello
- Lime Jello
- Berry Blue Jello
- Grape Jello
- Water
- Vodka
- Cool whip for garnish
- Rainbow Berry Airheads, for garnish
How To Make Recipe
Step One: Prep Cups and Make Purple Layer
- Place 16 3 oz. plastic cups onto a sheet pan so they can be easily moved to and from the refrigerator.
- Start by preparing your first layer with the purple jello. Boil 1 cup water in a medium sauce pan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the grape jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer. Keep in mind you are doing 6 layers total, so space them accurately.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
Step Two: Add Blue Layer
- Next add the blue jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium sauce pan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the blue jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour blue jello on top of the purple layer, distributing it evenly between each cup in thin layers. Keep in mind you have 4 layers to go.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
Step Three: Add Green Layer
- Next add the lime jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium sauce pan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the lime jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour lime jello in a thin layer on top of the purple and blue layers, distributing evenly between each cup. Keep in mind you have 3 layers to go so your cups should only be half full by this point.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
Step Four: Add Yellow, Orange, and Red Layers
- Repeat previous steps for adding jello layers, being careful to let each later set fully before adding the next one. On top of the Lime Jello should be the Pineapple Jello yellow layer, then the Orange Jello layer and lastly the Strawberry Jello layer.
- Take 2 rainbow berry airhead strips, and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
Step Five: Add Cool Whip and Rainbow Garnish
- Once fully set, add Cool Whip to a piping bag with a frosting tip, and pipe onto jello shots, adding a rainbow airhead piece of candy to each Jello shot, and serve.
Suggestions and Alternatives
- Add colored sprinkles for extra decoration.
- Top with maraschino cherries or other fruits instead of rainbow candy.
- Make diagonal rainbows with your jello by propping your cups in a muffin pan when you pour in your layers.
- Leave out the alcohol to make kid-friendly rainbow jello cups for a kid’s party.
- Try tequila or rum instead of vodka, whichever you prefer.
- Use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip on top.
- Make mini versions of these rainbow shots by using clear plastic shot glasses instead of cups.
What Is The Best Liquor To Use For Jello Shots?
I use vodka in jello shots, but you can feel free to substitute any liquor with this. Alternatively, you can use a variety of vodka flavors and brands in this recipe. For the summer, white rum or malibu rum would be ideal.
How Much Alcohol Can You Put In Jello Shots?
This recipe uses just ½ cup of vodka per layer, but you can use up to ⅔ cup without changing the texture of the jello.
Can You Put Jello Shots In The Freezer To Set Faster?
Contrary to popular belief, placing Jello Shots in the freezer does not quicken the setting process. Instead, a coating of ice and freezer burn will form on your shots, so I would not recommend it.
How Do I Store This Recipe?
Store on a flat surface in a refrigerator for up to 2 days. If making ahead, leave the garnish until serving.
More Recipes To Try
- Patriotic Layered Jello
- 4th of July Jello Shots
- Watermelon Punch
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- Unicorn Themed Party Food
Rainbow Jelly Shots
Ingredients
- 3 oz Strawberry Jello 1 box
- 3 oz Orange Jello 1 box
- 3 oz Pineapple Jello 1 box
- 3 oz Lime Jello 1 box
- 3 oz Berry Blue Jello 1 box
- 3 oz Grape Jello 1 box
- 9 cups Water divided
- 3 cups Vodka divided
- 1 tub Cool whip for garnish
- 2 Rainbow Berry Airheads for garnish
Instructions
- Place 16 3 oz. plastic cups onto a sheet pan so they can be easily moved to and from the refrigerator.
- Start by preparing the purple grape jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the grape jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer. Keep in mind you are doing 6 layers total, so space them accurately.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
- After that layer has been set, prepare the blue jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the berry blue jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
- After that layer has been set, prepare the green lime jello layer. Boil 1cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the lime jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
- After that layer has been set, prepare the yellow pineapple jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the pineapple jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
- After that layer has been set, prepare the orange jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the orange jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours.
- After that layer has been set, prepare the red strawberry jello layer. Boil 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the strawberry jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water, until combined. Pour jello evenly between each cup in a thin layer.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 1.5 hours, one more time.
- Once fully set, add Cool Whip to a piping bag with a frosting tip, and pipe onto jello shots. Take 2 rainbow berry airhead strips, and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Add a piece to each Jello shot and serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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