Halloween is my favorite time of year.
I love my costumes, I love the decorations, I love getting into the spirit of the day and, most of all, I love throwing down for Halloween. If I had to pick a favorite party trick for the season, I think it would have to be Halloween-fied jello shots.
They are the perfect activity to make your next bash a spooktacular supply of ghastly ghouls and eerie elixirs: they’re fun to make, easy to serve, and pretty much guaranteed to be the life of the party. Whether you’re inviting over a huge swarm for a massive super spread or just a brood for a small sesh, jello shots are the perfect way to get everyone into the action.
Wibbly wobbly boozy bites, here for a raucous Halloween time! They’re delicious and they pack a punch.
Any of these recipes I bring you will be a breeze to make. There are endless options with only a few basic ingredients and a good dose of imagination.
But let’s see how my favorite Halloween jello shot recipes can spread a bit of malevolent magic at your party.
The 9 Best Halloween Jello shots and recipes
1. Bloody Mary Jello Shots
And these jello shots are perfect party starters. Think of a Bloody Mary – the classic flavors in delicious, quivering jello shot format.
Mine contain a splash of vodka or two, a couple dashes of hot sauce, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a little tomato juice. I throw in a splash of lemon juice and a couple pinches of celery salt for those savoury notes.
You’ll see your guests grin at the classic flavours of a Bloody Mary, but reimagined into a jello shot.
# Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 package unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Olives, celery sticks, and lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
1. Put 1 cup of tomato juice into a medium saucepan and sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over it and let sit for 1-2 minutes to let the gelatin bloom.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat, stirring, until the sugar and the gelatin are completely dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Off the heat, stir in the remaining 1 cup tomato juice, vodka, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, then add the celery salt, black pepper and smoked paprika to taste until combined.
4. When the mixture has set, spoon it into small silicone moulds or a square baking dish and chill for at least 2-4 hours or until firm.
5. When ready, cut the jello into cubes (if using a baking pan) or unmould (silicone moulds).
6. Garnish with olives, celery sticks, and lemon wedges before serving.
2. Candy Corn Jello Shots
For a festive treat, I think about these wondrous little party bombs full of fun colors and flavors. I like to incorporate a few tablespoons of vanilla vodka for texture, flavor and fun!
Without a doubt, mine contain layers of orange and lemon Jell-O for the iconic candy corn look. A quirky fun way to share holiday cheer!
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 (3 oz) package lemon Jell-O
- 1 (3 oz) package orange Jell-O
- 1 (3 oz) package pineapple Jell-O
- 1 cup cold water
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- Candy corn (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Dissolve lemon Jell-O mix in 1 cup of just-boiling water in a medium bowl and let cool.
2. Squeeze the juice from the lemons and strain it into another medium bowl.
3. Whisk in the cooled gelatin and zest, stirring to combine.
4. Whisk in the soda water.
5. Pour the mixture into glasses or a cute pitcher and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
6. After chilling, top with fresh mint and citrus slices (optional).
7. Pour 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka into the lemon Jell-O that was fully dissolved and cool. Pour the mixture into plastic shot glasses, 1/3 full. Refrigerate approximately 1-1.5 hours or until hardened.
3. Do the same with the orange Jell-O: 1 cup boiling water, 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 cup vodka. Pour over the set lemon Jell-O in your shot glasses, filling them another third of the way and refrigerate for 1-1.5 hours, or until set.
4. Finally, do the same with the pineapple Jell-O: dissolve in 1 cup boiling water, add in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka. Pour this over the set orange Jell-O in the shot glasses, all the way to the top. Refrigerate again for about 1-1.5 hour until set.
5. Right before serving, top each Jello shot with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a candy corn. Chill.
3. Witch’s Brew Jello Shots
Here’s a drink that makes any Halloween party magical, and mine always has these. It’s lime green Jello with gummy worms and a splash of vodka, and I like the tonic water to give it a magical glowing quality, like under blacklight – that kind of spooky but delicious quality.
I’m always playing with different kinds of spooky themed decorations, like putting in candy eyeballs or finely crushed chocolate cookies for a ‘dirt’ quality.
Ingredients
1 package lime jello (3 oz)
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup vodka
Black food coloring (optional)
Whipped cream (for topping)
Green sanding sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Sprinkle lime jello into a medium bowl and pour 1 cup of boiling water over.
2. Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vodka and stir together.
3. Add food colouring if you wish: black makes it look spooky and witchy.
3. You can make two mixtures one with coloring and one with out to give a layered look as in the photo.
4. Pour into shot glasses or small plastic cups and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours before eating.
5. Garnish with green sanding sugar for an extra touch of Halloween magic.
4. Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots
I like to play around with seasonal, fanciful drinks – here’s a favorite fall recipe. Mine always has a base of pumpkin puree, cinnamon and a little whip cream vodka for a bit of a kick.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 packet (3 oz) orange Jello
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup cold vanilla vodka
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Whipped cream (for garnish)
- Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
Instructions
First, boil one cup of water in a sauce pan, then turn off the flame and add the packet of orange Jello, stirring well until it’s completely dissolved.
2. Pour the pumpkin puree, the ground cinnamon, the ground nutmeg and the ground ginger in the dissolved Jello mixing them well.
3. Chill the mixture and bring it back to room temperature before stirring in the cold vanilla vodka and heavy cream.
4. Pour it all into 2 oz plastic shot cups or small dessert cups, refrigerate for an absolute minimum of 2-3 hours, and wait until the Jello is set.
5. Top with whipped cream and garnish with ground cinnamon before serving.
5. Bloody Brain Jello Shots
When it’s October and time to plan my parties for Halloween, one of the treats I prepare to impress my haunted house guests are these creepy bright gelatin shots. Made with peach schnapps, a box of gelatin mix and a dash of Irish cream, the bad-looking contents of these gelatin shots resemble small, edible brains.
When you add a few squirts of raspberry liqueur, the effect is even more gruesome. The ingredients make for a good-looking cup filled with a creamy-looking content that would surprise anyone, especially if you’re planning a gruesome but out-of-the-ordinary soiree.
Ingredients
- 1 large package of peach-flavored gelatin (6 oz)
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1 cup of cold water
- 1 cup of vodka
- Red food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Gummy brain candy (optional)
Instructions
1: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the peach-flavored gelatin with 1 cup of hot water.
2. Add 1 cup of ice water and 1 cup of vodka; stir well to combine.
3. Add a few drops of red food coloring until the contents are a bloody, brain-like hue.
4. Pour the gelatin mixture into shot glasses or – if you’re feeling ambitious – into a brain mold and chill in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours until set.
5. Top each jello shot with a dollop of whipped cream (optional) to make a ‘brain’ and optionally place a gummy brain candy on top for goriness.
6. Serve chilled and enjoy your creepy Bloody Brain Jello Shots!
6. Black Magic Jello Shots
And the coolest thing I make for a Halloween party is this: blackberry jello, grape vodka, and a little black currant liqueur. You can place them in moulds, and serve on a plate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 package (3 oz) black cherry or grape gelatin
- 1/2 cup black vodka
- 1/2 cup cold water
- Black sanding sugar or edible glitter (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
2. Bring to the boil, take off the heat and add the gelatine mix, stirring vigorously until completely dissolved (approx 2 minutes).
3. Mix in 1/2 cup black vodka and 1/2 cup cold water until well blended.
4. Pour into slammer shot glasses or a mold and chill for 2-4 hours to set.
5. Before serving, optionally garnish with black sanding sugar or edible glitter.
6. Serve and enjoy your hauntingly delicious Black Magic Jello Shots!
7. Eyeball Jello Shots
If you need a spooky party treat, Halloween is a great occasion to play with food. One of the recipes I use at my parties involves a new and gory take on classic Jello shots – and they are always a hit.
Made with lychee fruit, maraschino cherries, and splash of vodka, they are surprisingly sweet as well as striking. I never fail to enjoy the result.
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 package (3 oz) lemon or pineapple Jello
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup vodka
- Lychee fruit (canned, drained)
- Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- Red or black food coloring (optional)
- Mini cupcake liners or small silicone molds
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve the Jello in 1 cup of boiling water.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka. Let cool but do not set.
3. Place one blueberry inside each lychee fruit to resemble an eyeball.
4. Arrange the “eyeballs” in mini cupcake liners or small silicone molds.
5. Pour the prepared Jello mixture over the “eyeballs,” ensuring they are fully submerged.
6. Refrigerate at least 2-3 hours, or until set. Add a dot of red or black food colouring near the ‘pupil’ for a bloody look, if desired.
8. Ghostly White Russian Jello Shots
Sophisticated yet creepy, I could never get enough of these cute little concoctions. Injecting a classic cocktail-vibe into them whilst adding that fun, jiggly element makes them a great base for your spooky Halloween party.
Vodka, coffee liqueur, gelatin, and a dollop of heavy cream: what’s not to love?
And it’s that touch of heavy cream adding that ghostly look to them.
So give them a go the next time you host a party.
Ingredients
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Whipped cream (for garnish)
- Chocolate sprinkles (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Gelatin:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, pour the 1/2 cup of cold water. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let it sit for about 2 minutes to allow the gelatin to bloom.
-
Dissolve the Gelatin:
- Add the 1/4 cup of hot water to the gelatin mixture and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
-
Mix in the Alcohol:
- Add the 1/2 cup of vodka and 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur (Kahlúa) to the gelatin mixture. Stir well to combine.
-
Prepare the Cream Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
-
Combine the Mixtures:
- Slowly pour the cream mixture into the gelatin mixture, stirring continuously to ensure everything is well blended.
-
Pour into Shot Glasses:
- Carefully pour the mixture into small shot glasses or silicone molds, filling each about 3/4 of the way.
-
Chill the Shots:
- Place the shot glasses or molds in the refrigerator and allow them to set for at least 2-4 hours, or until firm.
-
Garnish and Serve:
- Before serving, top each Jello shot with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate sprinkles.
9. Apple Cider Jello Shots
For me, celebrating the autumn season includes creating a few fun seasonal treats. These spiked apple cider shots are a huge hit at my get-togethers.
Made with freshly brewed apple cider, unflavored gelatin, and a shot of spiced rum, each shot is warming and welcoming. A little cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup bring all the cozy autumn flavors together.
Ingredients
1 cup apple cider
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup sour apple schnapps
1 tablespoon sugar
Cinnamon sugar, for garnish
Apple slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Put the apple cider in a medium saucepan and sprinkle the gelatine on top. Leave to bloom for 2 minutes.
2. Pour over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatine dissolves entirely (about 5 minutes). Do not boil.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vodka, sour apple schnapps, and sugar until well combined.
4. Pour into shot glasses or small silicone molds and cool until firm, 2-3 hours.
5. Dip the rims of the glasses in water and cinnamon sugar before filling them to add a celebratory flair to the presentation. Apple slices can be stuck on top of the foam if you so wish.
