Everything You Need to Know About Jello Shots, But Are Too Afraid to Ask

Nothing gets a party started like a Jello Shot. The jiggly treats are an instant eye catcher regardless of whether you’re in college, have entered the workforce, or have been navigating this so called life for more years than you’d like to admit. Yet as endlessly fun as Jello Shots are, there are still some things you probably don’t know about them and at this point are too afraid to ask. Here are all of the answers you need in one place.

What are Jello Shots?


Jello Shots are a mix of water, flavored gelatin and alcohol. They’re semi-solid, and often served in disposable paper or plastic cups. Jello Shots are most often associated with college parties and the Jell-O brand, but the history of the treat goes back to at least 1862 and the book The Bartender’s Guide.

What kind of alcohol do you put in Jello Shots?


Vodka is the most common alcohol associated with Jello Shots, but you can use whatever alcohol you’d like. Use rum for a Rum and Coke Jello Shot, tequila for a Tequila Sunrise Jello Shot, and Fireball for a straight up Fireball Jello Shot. If you can dream it, there’s a good chance you can Jello Shot it.

What kind of vodka is best for Jello Shots?


Other than flavored vodka, which you use for specific desirable flavors, you can use whatever kind or brand of vodka you’d like. Most qualities of the vodka will be eclipsed by the Jell-O, so you don’t have to use anything nice. But if you only drink top shelf vodka, you do your Jello Shot self.

How much alcohol is in a Jello Shot?


Ratios vary, but if you put too much alcohol into your Jello Shot then it won’t set. In general, a basic batch of Jello Shots is made with one cup of juice or water, one packet of gelatin, a half cup of cold water and half a cup of alcohol. With these proportions, you’ll end up with a Jello Shot that’s around 10-percent ABV.

How much Jell-O do you need for Jello Shots?


You need a 3-ounce box of gelatin to make 10 2-ounce Jello Shots.

How long can you keep Jello Shots?


In a covered container in the refrigerator, Jello Shots can last for seven to 10 days.

How do you make strong Jello Shots?


Too-strong Jello Shots are almost worse than Jello Shots that are too weak. Jello Shots, like life, are all about balance. That said, if you want a strong one, it is possible if you leave it in the fridge long enough. In a Supercall experiment, we found that the strongest Jello Shot that will set is three-to-one ratio of 80-proof alcohol to water, and it took a full day to become mostly solid.

Can you put a Jello Shot in the freezer?


If you procrastinated, the freezer is not going to help your Jello Shot set faster. Ice and a frosty top form on the shots. It’s best to stick to the refrigerator.

How long does a Jello Shot take to set in the fridge?


It varies depending on how much alcohol you put in the mix, but the standard Jello Shot takes around two hours to set in the fridge.

How do you eat a Jello Shot?


You can go through all the trouble of making the perfect Jello Shot, but it will all go to waste if you don’t know how to eat it. First thing to know is that it’ll most likely be messy and definitely won’t be pretty. Now that that’s out of the way, there are a few different ways to successfully eat one.

Method one: The finger method

Stick your (clean) finger into the side of the shot. Slide your finger along the wall of the container, then jiggle the middle loose and pop it into your mouth.

Method two: The brute force method

Break off one wall of the container and eat the shot. This works best and has the least splatter zone if the shot is in a paper cup.

Method three: The tongue method

Depending on your audience, this method may or may not be appropriate. Follow the instructions of the finger method, but replace your finger with your tongue.