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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 ideal Jello shot texture. Serve them in small shot glasses with a mini gold spoon to make them even more elegant.
If you’re looking for more shot recipes, try my Jolly Rancher shots, birthday cake shots, gummy bear shots, green tea shots, and lemon drop shots.
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Pin ItCranberry Jello Shots Recipe
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!
I love this holiday Jello shot recipe because it’s also made with cranberry juice and cranberry Jello, giving them the ultimate flavor. I’ve also given them more elegant with orange zest and sugared cranberries.
Cranberry Jello Shot Ingredients
Vodka: You can also use gin for this recipe if you prefer.
Gelatin: Unflavored gelatin is a key ingredient in this recipe, providing a firm and bouncy texture. It also ensures that the shots will set with the addition of alcohol.
Cranberry Jello: This mix of unflavored gelatin and flavored cranberry mix makes it easy to create a consistent and tasty shot every time.
Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice with no sugar added.
Orange Zest (Optional): I love how the orange flavors add a fragrance to these shots.
Fresh Cranberries (Optional): You can use sugared cranberries or fresh berries to garnish.
How to Make Cranberry Jello Shots
Boil 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.
In a mixing bowl, add vodka and sprinkle gelatin over the top. Let it sit for 1 minute.
Sprinkle in the cranberry Jello and pour in the boiling water.
Stir well until everything is completely dissolved.
Add in the cranberry juice and stir again.
Pour the mixture into a liquid measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring.
Fill small shot glasses with the Jello mixture.
Place the shots in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until set.
Once firm, top with sugared cranberries and a little orange zest for a festive touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
It takes about 2 hours for Jello shots to set in the refrigerator fully.
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!
More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love
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Cranberry Jello Shots
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.
- Add vodka in a medium mixing bowl and sprinkle gelatin over the vodka. Let it sit for 1 minute.
- 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.
- Pour the mixture into a liquid measuring cup with a spout and then into small shot glasses.
- 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.
Notes
- Don’t add extra alcohol – too much and they won’t set properly.
- Use good-quality vodka for a smoother, more elevated flavor.
- Try pomegranate juice instead of cranberry for a deeper, more complex taste.
- A touch of orange zest adds a beautiful citrus aroma and flavor.
- Serve within 24 hours – same-day is best for taste and texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
