Nothing screams party like a jello shot and these easy to make Firecracker 4th of July Jello Shots are no exception!
I’ve always had an obsession with firecrackers. I know they aren’t pretty or sparkly, they’re more dangerous and scary, which could be say something about my inner firecracker gal.
Maybe it’s the thrill of lighting them and then hoping you can run fast and far enough before they go off. As a kid we used to light whole packs of them at once…awww, c’mon I know I’m not the only one. In high school the boys would go into a field and have a firecracker and bottle rocket war, while us girls cringed and screamed behind cars caught in the crossfire. That was the good old days before we got all weird about things that might actually harm kids.
Well, these firecrackers aren’t one bit dangerous…just darn good. Okay so if you have the “grown-up” version you might be taking a walk on the wild side…but it’s worth it! The girl and I had so much fun making these…we think you will too!
Ingredients
- 1-1/3 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 package (3 oz.) JELL-O Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin
- 1 package (3 oz.) JELL-O Cherry Flavor Gelatin
- 1 envelope KNOX Unflavored Gelatine
- 1 cup milk, divided
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 20 maraschino cherries with stems, well drained, patted dry
Instructions
- ADD 2/3 cup boiling water to berry gelatin mix in small bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Repeat with cherry gelatin mix. Cool.
- MEANWHILE, sprinkle unflavored gelatine over 1/4 cup milk in medium bowl; let stand 5 min. Bring remaining milk to boil in saucepan. Remove
- from heat; stir in sugar and vanilla. Add to plain gelatine mixture; stir until gelatine is completely dissolved. Cool 10 min.
- SPOON berry gelatin into 20 (1-oz.) plastic shot glasses sprayed lightly with cooking spray, adding about 2 tsp. to each. Refrigerate 15 min. or
- until set but not firm.
- TOP with unflavored gelatin mixture, adding about 2 tsp. to each cup. Refrigerate 10 min. Insert cherry, stem end up, into white gelatin layer
- in each cup. Refrigerate 2 min.
- COVER with cherry gelatin, adding about 2 tsp. to each cup. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.
- Remove from cups before serving.
- Here’s two fabulous “adult” versions that will REALLY make these firecrackers pop!!
- Adults Only alcoholic Variation: Prepare as directed, reducing the boiling water to 1 cup and dissolving each of the berry and cherry gelatin mixes in 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir 1/4 cup vodka into each flavor of gelatin, then continue as directed.
- Spiked Cherries Adults Only Variation: Place cherries in a glass jar. Add 1/2 cup vodka; cover with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate at least 2 hours; drain. Pat dry, then use as directed.
UPDATED TO ADD: I purchased the shot glasses at Party City. They are 1.5 oz.
These have my name all over them…..making them STAT! So cute.
Those look like so much fun. I’m sure they are a big hit at any party.
Oh my gosh, Heather! These shots are gorgeous! And they sound delicious!!! Thank you so so much for sharing them at our Summer Blog Party…you rock. Oh, and I’m pinning them! They will be a definite at our 4th of July bbq this year…thank you!
Those are so cute!
Just soo cute!
Thanks so much for partying with us! I LOVE these and the spiked cherries sound pretty fabulous. Pinned!
Haha I was only 10 lines in before I was thinking “What about the vodka?” Good thing you added that recipe – now I know what to make for the upcoming adults party! thanks for the awesome idea!
Stacy
So cute and pin worthy! Pinning now and sharing on Facebook. Great pictures too! You guys are getting so fancy it keeps me challenged. Thanks for sharing this recipe! Love, Rebecca
Those look so great and so festive … my kids would love them! I’m pinning.
I think I will make the ones with the “spirits”….great idea!! So festive for the 4th!
I just love cute little themey food. Technically, I love all food, but it just appeals to me so much when it’s something like this. I’m not even that fond of jello, but when it’s done creatively I love it. Figure that one out…
How cute! I bet they taste great too!
Love your jello shots! NIFTY IDEA!!! I’m sure they’re a BLAST at any party!
WooHooo!
Brenda
Okay, I may just have to jump over the fence and come celebrate the 4th with you! Are you just ridiculously excited for Haven? Have so much fun!!!
Jessica
These look awesome! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try! It’s funny how your perception changes as you get older. I feel the same way–looking back at the irresponsible use of fireworks as a teenager!
Oh How fun and yummy looking. The kids would go crazy for this!
Pinning!
These are so much fun! I am the only one in my extended family who will eat Jello but these just might sway some of those fuddy duddies to loosen up for the 4th! Thank you for stopping by my blog today via Debbiedoo’s Newbie party. It was my first time and I loved it! I’m having a great time exploring your wonderful blog. I’m definitely going to try the tissue paper transfer idea–fantastic! I love that you blog together–what a wonderful way to stay connected. So happy to have been introduced to you today! 🙂
How fun are these!!! My favorite part, aside from the vodka, is that adorable cherry sticking out the top 🙂
What a fun and tasty idea! The adult version sounds like it could be quite the party starter. 🙂
I am definitely creating these cuties for the next family gathering on July 4th! they WILL be the adult variety, BTW. LOL They are simply “the BOMB”. :-).Sue
Thanks for giving us the adult versions too … and now I must ponder whether or not it would be a good idea to bring these to the annual 4th celebration we attend … not sure those attending need any addition “help” if you know what I mean!
Hope you’re having a fab time at Haven! Wish I was there …
🙂
Linda
darling… and my kids would love them! xo
Yum!! These are so cute, I love how the cherries almost look like water splashes in the main picture, or is it just me?! lol
So fun! I enjoyed seeing you guys at Haven! Just not long enough…….I’ll look forward to next time. 🙂
These are soooo fun! I’m making the ADULT version this 4th of July. Slurp! I shared your jello shots today on my 4th of July Favorites. Thanks for making Independence Day more fun than it already is!
They look really fun and delicious! Love these treats for a blast this 4th of July!
so cute!
Where did you find the tall vertical containers?
I found mine at TJ-Max a pack of 8, also world Market or Pier 1!!
My mind is made up. I’m making these this 4th of July! They are so cute.
This is SO SO SO cute! I love this. Why oh why didn’t I see it on Tuesday???
WEAK! To really make adult jello shots – you use a FULL cup (6 oz) of vodka (I used UV red, UV blue, & UV coconut with the knox – no need for milk as the milky UV coconut add’s the white) per cup of boiling water added to jell-o mix.
Then…. I soaked my marachino cherries in EVERCLEAR for two full weeks before adding them to the top layer.
I made these before my wife linked me to this article saying “someone stole your idea!”
I call mine “Cherry bombs!” (seriously, the everclear soaked cherries are like a literal bomb) And then with the stem sticking out, you can LIGHT the stem for added affect!
Hi anonymous! I would love to respond to you directly but since I don’t have a way, I’ll reply here. First…they are “weak” because they are meant to be a kid friendly version. the “adult” version is for those that want a little extra kick for their adult guests, so I would say definitely not “frat party” jello shots, but still good! SECOND…I assure you I did not “steal” this idea since I very clearly give KRAFT FOODS full credit for the recipe, so if you need to take that up with someone I’m sure Kraft has a way for you to contact them and then finally THIRD…you can’t technically steal recipes anyway. That said if you’d love to share the link to your recipe somewhere on the web I would be happy to link back to it to share another alternative to this fun idea..which sounds awesome with lighting the stem. 🙂 Have a great day!
Heather
Hey there,
Sorry about coming off as a jerk with my post, that’s not what I intended. I was trying to be facetious and have fun with it and just share my take on the recipe. After I hit “publish” and read what I wrote, I kinda cringed at how it sounded. My bad!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and kudos to you on a fine and fun recipe!
Thanks for your time!
How do you get them out of the cups?
Instead of normal vodka I used whipped cream vodka with the berry blue and Swedish fish vodka for the strawberry. I also tossed 3/4 cup vodka and 1/4 cup sprite instead of the cold water for the jello. Tastes sooo good an definitely not weak 🙂 Play with flavored vodkas, so fun!
After the white part in the center sets and you pour the red jello layer on top, the hot jello mix melts the white part and messes it all up. So what you actuLly end up with is a blue layer on the bottom and a milky red layer on top. Thank you for wasting my time and money.
I’m so sorry this happened Noelle. I have made these several times and I’ve not had that happen, so I’m not sure why they did that. I apologize they did not turn out correctly. ~Heather