These syringe jello shots are a festive and fun way to present jello shots. They’re incredibly easy to make and are a great addition to the spookiest of Halloween parties.
These syringes will definitely be a hit at your next Halloween party, but if you’re looking for more Halloween cocktail inspiration, make sure to check out my Hocus Pocus Cocktail, Practical Magic Midnight Margaritas, and the Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail. And, my Beetlejuice Margarita is always a hit.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun twist: This recipe elevates a traditional jello shot into something special.
- Easy: You only need a few simple ingredients.
- Adaptable: You can use any clear alcohol that you want. Vodka, blanco tequila, and white rum generally work best with jello, taste-wise. You can get creative and play around with different flavors to make some pretty unique jello shots.
- Versatile: They don’t have to be just for the Halloween season, you can also use them for adult birthday parties, bachelorette or bachelor parties, or even a summer party!
Ingredients & Supplies Needed
To start, you’ll need to get food-grade syringes. Two-ounce jello shots are pretty typical, so I recommend the 60 ml (2 ounce) plastic syringes. However, you can buy smaller syringes like 45 ml (1 ½ ounce) syringes, if you prefer.
- Jello: Jello is technically a name brand, so feel free to use a generic gelatin mix. You can choose any flavor of the jello you like or you can choose based on different colors. Red jello would look more like bloody syringes, while neon green would look like a green, slimy ooze. You can name a purple or blue jello shot a “Witches Brew” variation.
- Water: You’ll need both cold and boiling hot water just as if you’re making regular jello, just in different ratios. If you want to make some non-alcoholic versions, you should just replace the liquor with more cold water and follow the package directions for regular jello.
- Liquor: Vodka is the most common liquor used in jello shots. You can also match the flavor of the vodka to the flavor of jello mix. I used whipped cream vodka for mine. See below for some flavor ideas.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the jello powder to a heat proof bowl. I used a large Pyrex measuring cup. Add the boiling water to the bowl.
Step 2: Whisk very well until all of the gelatin powder is completely dissolved. Add the vodka (or other liquor of choice) to the mixture. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Step 3: Lower the syringe into the liquid jello and pull back until the jello mixture is at the desired level. Cap the end and repeat with the rest of the syringes. Chill in the fridge for 4 hours or until set.
Expert Tips
- Make sure you get food-grade syringes with caps so that the gelatin mixture doesn’t leak out or else you’ll have a huge mess on your hands. Both of my recommendations above include caps for the syringes.
- Chill your vodka or alcohol of choice in advance to help the gelatin set a little faster.
- For the alcohol, choose a clear spirit like vodka, white rum, or blanco tequila. Avoid aged alcohols like bourbon or any other liquor that has complex flavors, like gin.
How to Display the Syringes
You can definitely choose some spooky serving platters or a Halloween-themed container to display the syringe jello shots for your party guests. I have a few ideas below.
If the syringes will be out at room temperature for a while, consider using the ice bucket option, like the one below, filled with ice to keep them cool and prevent any possible melting.
Stainless Steel Surgical Trays
Buy Now →Flavor Combo Ideas
Here are a few flavor combinations that you may want to try out to put your own spin on the recipe.
- Green apple jello with caramel vodka for a caramel apple shot.
- Cherry jello with the liquor split 50/50 between vodka and amaretto for a cherry almond shot.
- Peach or orange jello with whipped cream vodka for either a peaches and cream or an orange creamsicle jello shot.
- Lime jello with coconut white rum for a “lime in the coconut” jello shot.
- If you just want the flavor of the jello to shine through, plain vodka will be your best choice.
FAQs
Do NOT medical syringes. You should NEVER try to use a regular syringe. You need to purchase food-grade, novelty syringes.
As with most things, Amazon – you can buy the 2-ounce syringes, which I find to be the perfect size. However, you can buy smaller syringes like the 1 ½ ounce syringes, if you prefer.
Party stores like Party City will sometimes stock them around Halloween.
Typically, it takes 2-4 hours for jello shots to set in the fridge. For this recipe method, I recommend 4 hours.
They usually are dishwasher safe if they are sturdy – but double-check the packaging. If they are flimsy or thin plastic, they’ll likely warp in the dishwasher. If the package doesn’t say, use your best judgment.
I recommend making these no more than 3-4 days in advance. They can last longer, but the texture may begin to break down if they sit for too long.
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Love this cocktail? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Syringe Jello Shots for Halloween Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box Jello (3 ounces – flavor of choice)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- ½ cup vodka (or liquor of choice)
Instructions
- Whisk jello powder in a bowl with boiling water until smooth.
- Add the cold water and vodka and allow to cool slightly.
- Lower a syringe tip into the liquid and pull back on the plunger until the liquid is at the desired level. Cap the syringe and repeat until all have been filled.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- I recommend making these no more than 3-4 days in advance.
- Only use food-grade, novelty syringes with caps.
- Chill your vodka or alcohol of choice in advance to help the gelatin set a little faster.
- For the alcohol, choose a clear spirit like vodka, white rum, or blanco tequila. Avoid aged alcohols like bourbon or any other liquor that has complex flavors, like gin.
- Green apple jello with caramel vodka for a caramel apple shot.
- Cherry jello with the liquor split 50/50 between vodka and amaretto for a cherry almond shot.
- Peach or orange jello with whipped cream vodka for either a peaches and cream or an orange creamsicle jello shot.
- Lime jello with coconut white rum for a “lime in the coconut” jello shot.
Nutrition
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Christie
What size box of jello?
Cory
Love these!