Jello Shooters (a.k.a., Jello Shots, Jelly Shots, and Gels) are fantastic fun at parties and get-togethers of all types, and it is very, very simple to learn how to make Jello Shooters – even  really fancy ones with exotic names and flavors.

And the really interesting thing is, they are becoming more and more popular at high-end parties like weddings, anniversaries, and dinner parties.

But Aren’t Jello Shooters Just a Get-Drunk Device?

True, Jello Shooters have historically received a bad rap as something college kids do to get really drunk, or as those treats that get trotted out late at night in the clubs because people are dancing too much to hold on to a drink.  They are often touted as ‘strong’ and ‘potent’.

Fact is, the majority of this reputation isn’t due to the nature of the Jello Shooters so much as due to the people consuming them. 

In fact, college kids make cheap Jello Shooters to stretch their vodka budget, not to increase its consumption.  A typical 2-oz Jello Shooter has the equivalent of only about 1/3 to 1/2 an ounce of 80-proof alcohol, so it takes 2-3 or more of them to have the same alcohol content as a mixed drink.  So why the bad rep?

The answer lies in the fact that Jello Shooters are very sweet – the other 1 ½ ounces of them consists of yummy, yummy gelatin!  As such, they are like candy – and it is very easy to consume several of them rapidly – even more rapidly than a mixed drink. 

As well, the high sugar content of the gelatin gives your body that sugar rush, which facilitates the sensation of getting drunk.

Finally, Jello Shooters always seem to be the last thing consumed in a sequence of drinks.  They are brought out late at night at bars – and so the “Jello Shootee” consumes them in addition to – and on top of – all the other alcohol consumed that evening.  The Jello Shooter becomes the proverbial ‘straw’ – and the scapegoat – all in one.

As a result, the aggregate effect is that you could consume too much alcohol and end up completely inebriated – but this is more a consequence of circumstance than directly a result of Jello Shooter consumption.  That said, if you are going to consume any form of alcohol, including Jello Shooters, you are always – and I do mean always – advised to do so responsibly and within your limits.

Jello Shooters as an Hors-d’ovre     

Believe it or not, these supposed ‘drawbacks’ are actually ‘benefits’ when you use Jello shooters as party idea for higher-end parties.  Your guests are a little more mature, a little more in control of their consumptive impulsive, and definitely a more discerning in their tastes.

By making several flavors and types of gourmet Jello Shooters with varying blends of fruit juices, mixers, and alcohols, you will be providing your guests with a reason to moderate their consumption – they will want to try more than one type rather than chomping down a dozen of the same kind. 

Rather than trying to consume as many as possible, with gourmet Jello Shooters, they will be fascinated by the variety and they will want to explore all the tastes and sensations in full.

And yet, the Jello Shooter retains all the fun and nostalgia associated with those younger days of unbridled compulsion!

Jello Shooters Renaissance  

As a result, there is a resurgence in the popularity of Jello Shooters – particularly gourmet Jello Shooters with exotic and involved recipes – at higher end parties, even weddings and 50^th wedding anniversaries.

With the flexibility of flavors and combinations, you can theme Jello Shooters to your party.  For example, if you are having a Summer Luau, why not Caribbean Blue, Mai Tai, Key Lime Pie, and Daquiri Jello Shooters?

For weddings, try Coconut Rum Jello Shooters, Wedding Cake Jello Shooters, and Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Shooters.

For Cinco de Mayo, try Tequila Jello Shooters, Margarita Jello Shooters, and Tequila Sunrise Jello Shooters, and how about putting a gummy worm in the bottom of the Margarita or Tequila ones?  The gummy worm takes up a little more volume of the Jello Shooter – reducing the total amount of alcohol per serving, and slows down consumption, while also getting you 1-2 extra Jello Shooters per batch.

For dinner parties, a particular favorite of mine are Red Wine Jello Shooters for dinner parties, made with 3-4 different red wines in my region.  I like to intersperse them with Red Hot Cinnamon Jello Shooters to cleanse the palate.

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