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Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones this year with these delicious Valentine’s day jello shots! Made with layers of pink and red jello infused with clear vodka (or left non-alcoholic), they couldn’t be easier to make. Topped with whipped cream and sprinkles, these irresistible jello shots are always a hit!
Valentine Jello Shots with Vodka
I’ve made Christmas jello shots and Halloween jello shots and now these festive red and pink jello shots are perfect for your valentine.
The layers are made with strawberry and raspberry gelatin and then topped with whipped cream and cute little valentine’s day sprinkles. How fun is that?!
You can make them with or without the vodka so all your valentines can enjoy them.
They are such an easy and customizable way to impress a crowd or that special someone you’re celebrating with, no matter the occasion.
Why you’ll love Valentine’s Day Jello Shots 💖
Easy to prepare – If you can boil water, you can make these Valentine’s day Jello shots. t’s waiting for them to set that’s the hardest part so don’t push them off until last minute!
Customizable – As you know Jello comes in many flavors, so this recipe can be easily customized to suit your tastes and whatever holiday celebration you’re enjoying. Play around with the colors, and the toppings, and you can also make it fun for the whole family by omitting the alcohol completely.
Special occasion – You can easily make these ahead of time, so they are not only great to have prepped and ready to go when hosting a romantic date night or Valentine’s Day party, but they also travel well to bring to a galentine’s party!
Equipment you’ll need
- Disposable Cups – 1 oz or 2 oz plastic cups with lids are easiest.
- Baking sheet – Either a lipped baking sheet or a tray will help move the shots in and out of the fridge while the layers are setting.
- Measuring Cup – I like to use a large measuring cup with a spout to whisk up the jello mixture.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Gelatin Mixes – We’re using raspberry gelatin mix for the red layer and strawberry gelatin for the pink. The raspberry will appear darker than the strawberry, so if you decide to use another “red” flavor you want to make sure to still see both layers. You could also opt for pink starburst jello but that’s sometimes harder to find.
- Water – You’ll need boiling water to help dissolve the gelatin powder to turn it into a liquid, but then you’ll need very cold water to help it set. If you’re planning ahead, put the kettle on to save you some time.
- Vodka – I prefer to use plain vodka so there’s no additional flavor that will take over the yummy flavor of the jello. If you have a flavored vodka you’d like to try, go for it and let me know what you think.
- Optional Topping – Whipped cream and Valentine sprinkles are such a fun way to finish off these little jello shooters.
How to make fun Valentine’s Day Jello Shots
- Step One: Preparation – Make enough room in the back of the fridge to hold the lipped tray. That’s what you’ll use to hold the cups of jello as they set. Grab about 30 one ounce plastic shot glasses and set them on the tray. Feel free to add a couple of extra for a little taste testing!
- Step Two: Make the bottom red layer – Use a liquid measuring cup (with a spout) and whisk together 1 cup of boiling water with the raspberry jello package until the powder has dissolved. Then, add 1/2 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of vodka. Whisk again. Carefully pour the gelatin mixture about 1/4 – 1/2 way up the cups and place the entire tray into the fridge for 30 minutes until that first layer is set.
- Step Three: Make the pink top layer – Repeat the directions as the first layer but this time you’ll gently pour the pink jello on top of the red layer and let that set for 2 hours in the fridge. You want them to be fully set.
- Step Four: Garnish and serve – When you are ready to serve, top each jello shot with a squirt of whipped cream and some festive sprinkles! Maraschino cherries or a fresh strawberry would also make a good topper.
What to serve with Valentine’s Day Jello Shots
I don’t know about you, but I love a theme! If we’re going all out for Valentine’s day, let’s add some decadent desserts to the menu!
Serve them with red velvet cream cheese swirl cookies or red velvet cake mix bars.
You could also enjoy them with chocolate frosted Valentine’s day cookies or dark chocolate toasted almond and coconut hearts.
Have a combination of adult bevies and kid-friendly drinks, like this Valentine punch, to sip on while you’re at it!
If you need more inspiration check out all my fun and festive Valentine’s Day recipes.
Tips & Suggestions 🍓
- Don’t rush it. As easy as these are, you want to make sure to give yourself enough time for the layers to be completely set. Otherwise, those beautiful distinct layers will blend.
- Double or triple the recipe as needed. You can also use 2 oz cups to make fewer shots, but larger portions.
- Wait until you’re ready to serve them to add the garnish.
- To make them non-alcoholic, replace the vodka with an equal amount of cold water.
- Feel free to alternate layers. Use pink as the bottom layer and red on top. Or make half one way and half the other and present a combination of the two!
- Vodka comes in many flavors that you could match to the jello flavor (strawberry, raspberry, cherry, etc.).
How to store them
How to store leftovers
Valentine’s day jello shots are a great make ahead recipe. You can make them the day before, keep them covered in the fridge and take them out when the party gets started.
How long will jello shots with vodka last in the fridge?
They can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Can I freeze jello shots?
Unfortunately, no. Once thawed the texture will be gooey. Good thing it’s so easy to make a batch!
FAQs
Can I substitute the vodka for a different liquor or liqueur?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for something similar, I would suggest white rum. Both are neutral enough not to overpower the taste of the jello.
If you’re not overly concerned about that, you can also use tequila, whiskey, or even brandy.
Why do jello shots not get you drunk?
These Valentine’s day jello shots are not straight-up alcohol, so the content is far less than a regular shot, but it is still a boozy treat.
Alcohol is still alcohol, so always enjoy it responsibly either way!
What other jello flavors make red?
You’ll usually find cherry jello and raspberry to be the most popular red flavors.
If you’re lucky enough to pick up some seasonal cranberry jello and have some stocked away, you can use that too.
Need more jello shot recipes? Try these:
Layered Watermelon Jello Shots
Strawberry Shortcake Jello Shots
Red White and Blue Jello Shots
Click here for my entire collection of drink recipes.
Valentine’s Day Jello Shots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces raspberry gelatin mix or any "red" jello
- 3 ounces strawberry gelatin mix
- 2 cups boiling water divided
- 1 cup cold water divided
- 1 cup vodka divided
- whipped cream
- Valentine sprinkles optional
Instructions
- On a lipped tray, set out 30 one ounce cups and set aside for later. Make sure you have room in the fridge to accommodate the tray.
Make the red layer
- In a large measuring cup with a spout or a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of boiling water and the raspberry jello. Whisk until dissolved.
- Next, add in ½ cup of cold water and ½ cup of vodka. Whisk again.
- Carefully pour the mixture into the cups about a ¼ to ½ way up.
- Carefully place the tray in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until that layer is set.
Make the pink layer
- In a large measuring cup with a spout or a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of boiling water and the strawberry jello. Whisk until dissolved.
- Next, add in ½ cup of cold water and ½ cup of vodka. Whisk again.
- Once the red layer is set, carefully pour the pink jello on top.
- Place them back in the fridge for 2 hours or until they are fully set.
To serve
- When ready to serve, top each jello shot with a squirt of whipped cream and some sprinkles.
Notes
- Do not garnish until ready to serve.
- Store covered in the fridge for up to a week.
- Use 1 oz cups (makes approximately 30 shots) or 2 oz cups (makes approximately 15 shots).
- Cherry, strawberry, raspberry…use any pink/red combination of jello.
- Use whichever flavor of vodka you like. If you don’t like vodka, another light liquor can be substituted.
- If you want to make them non-alcoholic/kid-friendly, replace the vodka with water vodka.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
