How to Make Cranberry Jello Shots

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These cranberry Jello shots are perfect for the holidays! Made with cranberry Jello and cranberry juice, they have a festive flavor, and the perfect Jello shot texture. To make them even more elegant, serve them in small shot glasses with a mini gold spoon. It makes for a classier way to enjoy a Jello shot.

We love this holiday Jello shot recipe because it’s also made with cranberry juice and cranberry Jello, giving them the ultimate flavor. We’ve also given them a little more elegance with orange zest and sugared cranberries.

Cranberry Jello Shots - cranberry jello shots recipe, shot glasses

Gone are the days of cheap, college Jello shots! These are sophisticated and classy Jello shots for adults. They’re fun to make, fall off flavor, and can be made the day before! Below is everything you need to know to make your festive shots for Christmas or Thanksgiving!

Also, try our green tea shot and lemon drop shots too!

What is a Jello Shot?

A Jello shot is made with JELL-O brand gelatin and alcohol and served as a “shot” in shot glasses or cut into cubes. If you’re taking them to a party, you can make them in these jello cups with lids. They’re perfect for parties!

How to Make Cranberry Jello Shots

These holiday Jello shots are super easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need:

Supplies

  • Liquid Measuring Cup
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Small Saucepan
  • Shot Glasses

Ingredients (Full Recipe in Recipe Card Below)

Directions

  • In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
gelatin and warm water - cranberry jello shots recipe, shot glasses, cranberry jell o shots
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add vodka and sprinkle gelatin over the vodka. Let it sit for 1 minute.
cranberry Jello pouring into gelatin - cranberry jello shots recipe, sugared cranberries, completely dissolved
  • Add the cranberry jello over the top and pour in the boiling water.
  • Stir until the jello completely dissolves.
  • Add in the cranberry juice and stir.
pouring Jello into shot glasses - cranberry jello shots recipe, sugared cranberries, completely dissolved
  • Pour the mixture into a liquid measuring cup with a spout and then into small shot glasses or Jello shot cups with lids.
  • Place the shot glasses in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until the shots are firm.
  • Add sugared berries and orange zest over the top.
red holiday Jello shots - fresh cranberries, sugared cranberries, cranberry jell

Tips for Making Cranberry Jello Shots

  • Don’t add more alcohol, as they won’t set properly.
  • Use good quality vodka to make them more sophisticated.
  • You can use pomegranate juice instead of cranberry juice for a more complex Jello shot.
  • Add orange zest over the top for the most beautiful orange cranberry flavor and scent.
  • Serve them within one day of making them. We like to serve them the same day when they’re at their best!
  • Depending on the size of the shot glass or cups you’re using, these can take anywhere between 8-14 shots. A shot is typically 1.5 ounces, but again depending on what you’re using to serve them in, this will vary.

Variations

You can easily create your flavor variations! Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Cranberry Lime Jello Shots – Use 1/2 Cranberry Jello and 1/2 Lime Jello.

Cranberry Apple Jello Shots – Use apple juice instead of cranberry juice.

Orange Cranberry Jello Shots – Use orange juice OR use orange Jello and cranberry juice. Add orange zest over the top.

Cranberry Mule Jello Shots – Add ginger vodka to the recipe.

holiday Jello shots - fresh cranberries, sugared cranberries, cranberry jell

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do jello shots last?

The gelatin will continue to set when in the refrigerator and eventually become hard. It’s important that they are served within one day of making them as they don’t last long. Some say that you can wait 5 days to serve them, however, in our experience, they are not good after a few days.

If you use a plastic cup with a lid to store them, you can get an extra day.

How long does it take for Jello shots to set?

It takes about 1 hour for Jello shots to fully set in the refrigerator.

What is the best alcohol to use for Jello Shots?

Vodka is the best alcohol to use for Jello shots. It has a mild flavor so it won’t compete with the main flavors in the shots.

Does it matter how much alcohol you put in Jello Shots?

Yes, the amount of alcohol used to make Jello shots does matter. If you add too much alcohol, the shots won’t set properly, giving you a very runny jello shot!

Jello shots for the holidays with cranberry - jello shot cups, sugared cranberries, shot glasses

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

The Best Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe

Easy Cranberry Vodka Punch

Spiced Apple Cider Punch

The Best Fall Sangria Recipe

How to Make Cranberry Sauce Step by Step

Cranberry and Thyme Gin and Tonic

Jameson Whiskey Jello Shots – These are green and would pair perfectly with these festive red Jello shots for Christmas!

Also, try our Jolly Rancher Shots, Birthday Cake Shots and Gummy Bear Shots too!

Thanksgiving Jello shots with cranberry - cranberry jello shots, sugared cranberries, shot glasses

Let us know if you make these holiday Jello shots by leaving a comment and review below! We’d love to know your thoughts!

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Jello shots for the holidays with cranberry

Cranberry Jello Shots

These cranberry jello shots are perfect for the holidays! Made with cranberry jello and cranberry juice, they have a festive flavor and the perfect jello shot texture. To make them even more elegant, serve in small shot glasses with a mini gold spoon. It makes for a classier way to enjoy a jello shot.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Shots
Calories: 120kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vodka
  • 1/4 ounce gelatin, 1 packet
  • 3 ounces cranberry Jello
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup cranberry juice
  • sugared cranberries, optional
  • orange zest , optional

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. 
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add vodka and sprinkle gelatin over the vodka. Let it sit for 1 minute.
    gelatin over vodka
  • Add the cranberry jello over the top and pour in the boiling water.
    cranberry Jello pouring into gelatin
  • Stir until the jello completely dissolves. 
  • Add in the cranberry juice and stir.
  • Pour the mixture into a liquid measuring cup with a spout and then into small shot glasses.
    pouring Jello into shot glasses
  • Place the shot glasses in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until the shots are firm.
    jello shots
  • Add sugared berries and orange zest over the top. 
    Cranberry Jello Shots

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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