Flavorful Raspberry Jello Shots

Looking for a fun party treat that’s guaranteed to get everyone smiling? If you’ve ever struggled with finding the perfect boozy dessert that’s both easy to make and sure to please a crowd, you’re not alone. Between juggling prep time and trying to come up with something more exciting than the usual party snacks, planning can get pretty overwhelming.

That’s where these raspberry jello shots come in handy: they’re super simple to whip up ahead of time, add a playful touch to any gathering, and best of all, you only need a handful of basic ingredients to make them happen.

What Kind of Raspberry Jello Should I Use?

Regular Raspberry Jello from the grocery store works perfectly fine for these shots – you’ll find it in the familiar small 3-ounce boxes. While Jell-O brand is the most common, store brands will work just as well for this recipe. If you’re looking to cut calories, sugar-free raspberry gelatin can be substituted, though keep in mind it might set up slightly differently than the regular version. Just make sure you’re using unflavored gelatin powder rather than pre-made cups of jello, as you’ll need to control the liquid ratios yourself. When mixing, be sure the gelatin is completely dissolved in the hot water to avoid any grainy texture in your finished shots.

Options for Substitutions

Want to switch things up with these jello shots? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Raspberry Jello: While raspberry jello gives the best flavor here, you can use strawberry or cherry jello instead. The color will be similar, and they’ll work just as well with the peanut butter whiskey.
• Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey: If you can’t find Skrewball, try regular whiskey mixed with 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter (strain well before using). Or use another peanut butter whiskey brand like Ole Smoky or Hard Truth.
• Chambord: You can swap this with another raspberry liqueur, or even use blackberry liqueur. In a pinch, you could use raspberry vodka, though you might want to add an extra spoonful of raspberry jam for more flavor.
• Raspberry jam: Any berry jam works here – strawberry, mixed berry, or blackberry are all good options. Just make sure it’s smooth, not chunky, for the best texture.
• Crushed peanuts: For the topping, you could use crushed graham crackers, cookie crumbs, or even mini chocolate chips instead of peanuts. If anyone has nut allergies, these are safe alternatives.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making jello shots is rushing the process – using water that’s too hot when mixing with alcohol can cause the alcohol to evaporate, while water that’s too cool won’t properly dissolve the gelatin, leaving you with grainy shots.

Getting the timing right is crucial: let the hot mixture cool for about 5-10 minutes before adding the alcohol, but don’t wait so long that it starts to set, or you’ll end up with an uneven texture and floating layers.

When filling your shot cups, avoid overfilling them (leave about 1/4 inch at the top) and make sure they’re placed on a flat surface in your fridge – tilted shots will set unevenly and look messy.

For easier removal, let the shots set completely for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight), and quickly dip the outside of each cup in warm water for 2-3 seconds when you’re ready to serve.

What to Serve With Jello Shots?

These peanut butter and raspberry jello shots are perfect for serving at parties alongside other fun finger foods! Since these have a sweet, dessert-like flavor, they pair really well with salty snacks like pretzels, mixed nuts, or potato chips to balance things out. I like to set up a little snack station near the jello shots with some chocolate-covered pretzels and salted peanuts that play off the peanut butter whiskey flavor. For bigger parties, you can serve these as part of a dessert table spread with other bite-sized treats like brownies, cookies, or chocolate-covered strawberries that match the sweet raspberry vibe.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: These fun jello shots need to stay chilled! Keep them in the refrigerator in their plastic cups with lids or covered tightly with plastic wrap. They’ll stay good for up to 3-4 days, though they’re best enjoyed within the first 2 days when the texture is perfect.

Make Ahead: Planning a party? You can make these jello shots up to 2 days before your event. Just leave off the crushed peanut garnish until right before serving – this keeps the nuts from getting soggy and maintains that nice crunch factor.

Transport: If you need to take these to a party, pack them in a cooler with ice packs. Remember that jello shots can get a bit melty if left at room temperature for too long, so try to keep them cool until it’s time to serve.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	240-255 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 0-5 g
• Carbohydrates: 300-350 g

Ingredients

• 2 cups hot water
• 1 cup cool water
• 2 boxes (3 oz each) raspberry gelatin dessert
• 1/4 cup raspberry preserves
• 3/4 cup skrewball peanut butter whiskey
• 1/4 cup chambord raspberry liqueur
• Crushed peanuts (optional, for garnish)

Step 1: Boil Water and Dissolve Gelatin

• 2 cups hot water
• 2 boxes (3 oz each) raspberry gelatin dessert

Bring 2 cups of hot water to a boil.

Empty the raspberry gelatin dessert powders into a large mixing bowl.

Pour the boiling water over the gelatin powders and stir continuously for two minutes, or until the gelatin is thoroughly dissolved.

Step 2: Mix in Raspberry Preserves

• 1/4 cup raspberry preserves

Add the raspberry preserves to the dissolved gelatin mixture.

Whisk gently until the jam is fully integrated and there are no lumps remaining.

Step 3: Add Liquids and Spirits

• 1 cup cool water
• 3/4 cup Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
• 1/4 cup Chambord raspberry liqueur

Pour in the remaining 1 cup of cool water, along with the peanut butter whiskey and Chambord raspberry liqueur.

Stir the mixture well until everything is smoothly combined.

I like to make sure the spirits are mixed in well so every shot has even flavor.

Step 4: Portion and Chill

Carefully pour the jello mixture into 2oz cups, filling each cup halfway to three-quarters full.

Place the filled cups in the refrigerator and allow them to set for at least 4 hours, or until firm.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

• crushed peanuts (optional, for garnish)

Once the jello shots have fully set, top with crushed peanuts if desired for a crunchy, salty-sweet finish.

Serve immediately and enjoy!