There is nothing quite as fun as a tray of Jell-O shots at a party! A childhood favorite gets a fun alcohol twist in these sweet, brightly colored single-serve drinks.
However, what if you don’t have time to prepare a batch or have leftover Jell-O shots? Can you just put them in the freezer?
Does Jell-O freeze well? You can easily chill and set Jell-O shots in the freezer if you haven’t prepared your party until the last minute. If frozen completely, Jell-O shots become grainy and unpalatable.
Do you have last-minute party preparations? Would you like to make your own Jell-O shots?
Here’s how Jell-O shots behave when you freeze them, and what should you do to keep them fresh for longer.
What Are Jell-O Shots?
As the first point of clarification, Jell-O shots aren’t just for college students! These have become very popular in recent years, giving any party a fun alcohol kick.
Jell-O shots are exactly what they sound like, but what are they? Jell-O shots are alcoholic beverages made from Jell-O or another type of jelly mixed with a liqueur or spirit. It’s even more fun when you can choose from a huge range of flavors and alcohol.
If you don’t have Jell-O, you can use any other kind of jelly. These jelly shots are bright and fun, and definitely not for kids since jelly comes in some amazing colors.
How To Make Jell-O Shots
One of the best aspects of Jell-O shots is their simplicity. You can really have fun and get creative with your party preparations with all these options available!
The amount of water you need to use for making the shots will be on the Jell-O packet.
If you intend to make them strong, usually a half-water-half-alcohol mix works well, although for stronger spirits you might want to start with a weaker mix.
Add the Jell-O powder to the jug of boiling water once you’ve decided how much you’ll need. The powder should dissolve when you stir it, then you can add the alcohol.
Place the shot glasses in the refrigerator with the liquid. You can enjoy this jelly straight from the shot glass as it sets as the jelly cools.
Can I Freeze Jell-O Shots?
Alcohol doesn’t solidify when it is mixed with jelly shots. Thus, alcohol-free Jell-O shots will always be a little soft and runny after being chilled in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze Jell-O shots if you haven’t done the preparation yet, or they won’t set in the fridge?
It is possible to speed up the setting of Jell-O shots by freezing them. You can make Jell-O shots the night before a party and pop them into the freezer.
Ensure that your freezer tray is completely level if you plan on putting jelly in it, as spilled jelly can make cleaning up your freezer a nightmare!
Jell-O shots will begin to change their texture if they are left in the freezer for too long.
The purpose of this step is to keep the items at a temperature slightly below your refrigerator without freezing them. They will become firm and complete their setting this way.
Jell-O shots begin to freeze as soon as they start to harden. Crystals of water and gelatin will freeze solid within the jelly, but the alcohol will remain in liquid form.
You will notice that the texture of your Jell-O shot will change – still perfectly edible, but not for everyone!
You should not store leftover jelly shots in the freezer if you have any. Most domestic freezers will never freeze solid due to the high alcohol content, and their texture will be unappetizing.
As long as they are still edible, leftover Jell-O shots could be stored in the freezer. Even after they are defrosted, the jelly may remain sloppy and mushy, with the grainy texture remaining.
You can freeze Jell-O shots for a few weeks if you place them in an airtight container. You can serve them straight from the freezer or defrost them before serving.
However, don’t panic, it’s not the end of your remaining jelly shots! However, you can keep Jell-O shots at their best by storing them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Best Way To Store Jell-O Shots
What should we do with jelly shots if the freezer is not a good place to store them? The added alcohol also works as a preservative in jelly, extending its shelf life.
So, you can eat Jell-O shots anytime if they are stored properly!
It is not recommended to have Jell-O shots for breakfast (as responsible adults, we suggest saving them for parties and special occasions only.)
You can keep Jell-O shots in the refrigerator for up to four days. To keep the shot glasses fresh for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container, away from strong flavors or smelly foods.
It’s easy for the jelly to absorb flavors, so adding some strong cheese or fish to Jell-O shots could make for some interesting flavor combinations!
If you want to keep the shot glasses fresh and fruity, you can wrap them in plastic wrap.
If you store your Jell-O shots this way, they will keep for up to four days. Before eating them, look carefully for signs of mold or rottenness.
It’s easy to prepare these colorful shots ahead of time and store them for quite some time!
Related Questions
In the following section, we’ll go over a few related questions about freezing Jell-O shots!
What do I do with leftover Jell-O shots?
Leftover Jell-O shots can keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but don’t expect to be sitting in your pajamas the next evening after a party downing shots!
We have some leftovers, so how can we use them before they spoil?
We’ll have to get creative with leftovers, just like with any food! As for using leftover jelly shots, we think you should make them into desserts for adults only.
Those small doses of alcohol will give your after-dinner drink a classy kick without being too overpowering.
Using Jell-O shots as a dessert is easy if you do these things:
- Jell-O shot trifle
- Jell-O fruit salad
- Jell-O & ice cream sundae
How long do Jell-O shots last out of the fridge?
In the refrigerator, Jell-O shots stay fresh for longer. Warm temperatures will cause them to lose their jelly texture and become runny. Refrigerated products should be kept until ready to consume.
You should eat them within 30 minutes if you want to take them out of the fridge sooner. Keep them away from direct sunlight in a cool place.
Keep your Jell-O shots cool by using a cool box or ice packs if you are attending an outdoor event, like a barbecue or pool party.
How can I tell if my Jell-O shots have gone bad?
You could prepare your Jell-O shots for a party up to four days ahead of time by keeping them in the refrigerator.
Are you sure they’re okay to eat if you are not sure? You may not know their age because they were left out for too long or a friend left them after a party.
When your Jell-O shots have gone bad, you can tell by these signs:
- In or on the jelly, pockets of watery fluid form
- There is a strong taste of bitterness in the jelly
- Mold grows on the jelly’s surface
In the case of food that has gone bad, if in doubt, toss it.
What are some of the best Jell-O shot recipes?
A great thing about Jell-O shots is that we can get creative and have fun making them. You have an endless range of options to choose from when it comes to colors, flavors, and alcohol!
These are some fantastic recipes for Jell-O shots that will help your party go off without a hitch:
- A bourbon & lemon jelly whiskey sour
- Rum, lime juice, and strawberry jelly make up the strawberry daiquiri
- Cocktail: Bloody Mary, made with vodka, tomato juice, and jelly
- Pineapple Jelly and Rum – Pina Colada
