The 25 Days of Holiday Goodies Day 25: Jello Shots

Merry Christmas! I hope you are enjoying the festivities today with loved ones!

Why did I choose this recipe for Christmas Day? Well, by now, you’ve got Christmas in the bag. Sides are (hopefully) prepped, meat is defrosted, desserts are made, and breakfast is ready to eat/prepare/pop into the oven.

So, today is all about shifting gears to that most hedonistic of holidays (save Mardi Gras): New Year’s Eve! Something super festive and beveragey (technical term!) is in order!

I present to you a high-octane version and a no-octane version because, if your household is like mine, Muffin would never let me forget it if I got to have Jello and he didn’t. I make the distinction by placing a slice of citrus fruit or a cherry with a stem in the non-alky ones—and leaving the alky ones plain.

One thing to note: Walmart sells condiment cups and lids (Solo brand, I believe) in manageable packs (20-25). I buy them normally to put sauces in Muffin’s lunches, so I raid my stash to make jello shots.

Also—as you can tell from the pic below, I use the jello shots as a drink garnish (alongside any fruit, umbrellas, and the like). They are awesome and fun that way!

Alky Jello Shots (High-octane)

Adapted from Tip Hero

1 envelope (1 T) unflavored gelatin

2/3 cups plus 2 ¼ teaspoons non-alky liquid or low-alky liquid (wine, if making Sangria Jello Shots)

¼ cup – 3/8 cup hard alky or alcoholic drink base

up to 1 ½ teaspoons sugar, if needed, for sweetness

Pour the first mentioned liquid into a small saucepan. Whisk the gelatin into the juice mixture little by little and let it sit five minutes until the gelatin has softened. Add sugar, if desired.

Heat the pan over medium heat and whisk until the gelatin (and, if using, sugar) are completely dissolved, about 2 to 3 minutes. DO NOT BOIL!

Remove the pan from the heat and sir in the remaining (alky) liquid.

Pour into prepared cups. Top with lids and chill until set.

To remove: briefly place the cups in warm water halfway up the sides. Remove lids and manipulate them out.

Non-Alky Jello Shots (No-octane)

Adapted from Tip Hero

1 envelope (1 T) unflavored gelatin

2/3 cups plus 2 ¼ teaspoons non-alky, non-carbonated liquid

¼ cup – 3/8 cup additional (same) liquid or fizzing liquid

up to 1 ½ teaspoons sugar, if needed, for sweetness

citrus slices or wedges or maraschino cherries with stems

Pour the first mentioned liquid into a small saucepan. Whisk the gelatin into the juice mixture little by little and let it sit five minutes until the gelatin has softened. Add sugar, if desired.

Heat the pan over medium heat and whisk until the gelatin (and, if using, sugar) are completely dissolved, about 2 to 3 minutes. DO NOT BOIL!

Remove the pan from the heat and sir in the remaining liquid.

Pour into prepared cups. Add selected fruit into the cups. Top with lids and chill until set.

To remove: briefly place the cups in warm water halfway up the sides. Remove lids and manipulate them out.

The sky’s the limit with these combinations! Muffin loves the non-alky ones!

What is your favorite drink to convert to jello shots?

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