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Kool Aid Jello ShotsKool-Aid Jello Shots
June 16, 2023 | Laura
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Nothing gets more nostalgic than a glass of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. These fruity jello shots have all the same great tastes of your childhood favorite. Kool-Aid jello shots are the perfect addition to any type of party!
Nostalgic Jell-o Shots
All of my summer childhood memories come flooding back the moment I take a sip of a nice and cold glass of Kool-Aid. I grew up drinking all the flavors, but there is just something about the Tropical Punch flavor that makes it a personal favorite. It is tangy. It is sweet. It is fruity. It is absolutely delicious.
These shots use Kool-Aid powder, sugar, and fruity liquors to make some of the tastiest jello shots. Everybody you serve them to is sure to love them! These are the best Jello shots for adult birthday parties, 90s parties, and pool parties.
Kool Aid Jello Shot: Ingredients
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
✽ Water: Because the KoolAid powder is so flavorful and strong, half of the liquid in this recipe is water to dilute it a bit.
✽ Unflavored Gelatin: In order to make sure the KoolAid is the star of this show, I decided to use unflavored gelatin for this recipe. These shots are basically a gelatinized bomb of delicious KoolAid flavor!
✽ Sugar: Since we are using unflavored gelatin, we will need to add in some sugar to make these shots sweet.
✽ Tropical Punch Kool-Aid: The most important part of the shot! Make sure you are using the Kool-Aid packets and NOT the kool-aid canisters. My favorite Kool-Aid flavor is Tropical Punch, but you can substitute whichever is your favorite for this recipe!
✽ Triple Sec: Triple Sec (orange liqueur) brings in a little bit more yummy orange flavor. It compliments the Kool-Aid flavors well. I used DeKuyper Triple Sec Liqueur for my shots.
✽ Cherry Vodka: I chose to use cherry vodka because it pairs well with the Tropical Punch flavor. However, you can substitute almost any fruity flavored vodka for this recipe. Some good brands of cherry vodka include Veil Cherry Vodka, Burnett's Cherry Vodka, White Claw Black Cherry Vodka, and Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka.
✽ Garnishes: Orange Slice, Lime Wedge, & Maraschino Cherry: While optional, I feel like these garnishes are a fun way to make these shots extra cute and delicious.
How to Make Kool-Aid Jello Shots
➊ In a medium mixing bowl or large measuring cup, pour in 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle 1 packet (~2 1/2 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin on top of the water. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
➋ In a small saucepan, place 3/4 cup of water and 1/2 of cup sugar over medium heat, whisking frequently. Just as soon as it begins boiling, remove from heat and whisk hot water into the set gelatin. Continue whisking until the gelatin is fully dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
➌ Whisk in 1 packet (0.16 oz) Tropical Punch Kool-Aid powder. Then whisk in 1/2 cup triple sec and 1/2 cup cherry vodka.
➍ Pour the jello mixture into 10 jello shot cups (2 oz cups). I like to place all of the shots on a cookie sheet or baking sheet so it is easier to transport them. Place into fridge to chill for about 3-4 hours, or until set.
➎ Right before serving, garnish shot glasses with a small orange slice, lime wedge, and/or maraschino cherry. Cheers!
Kool Aid Jello Shot Recipe: Questions
✽ What liquor can I use for Kool Aid Jello Shots?
You can use pretty much any fruity vodka that you like!Experiment with different flavors to your liking. Other than cherry vodka, other good options are pineapple vodka, watermelon vodka, berry vodka, peach vodka, strawberry vodka, lemon vodka, and orange vodka.
For a more creamy tasting shot, use whipped cream vodka or vanilla vodka. If you love coconut, try coconut rum instead.
You can also swap out the Triple Sec with any other liquor that you like. Try two different fruity vodkas or use just one flavor of vodka. While I find that flavored liquors make much tastier shots, you could also substitute with a plain vodka or white rum as well.
Just make sure that you are using a total of 1 cup of liquor for this recipe. If you increase the liquor amount, you run the risk of the Jello shots not setting properly.
✽ Can I use a different flavor of Kool-Aid?
Absolutely! Choose whichever flavor of Kool-Aid you love best. Depending on which flavor you choose, you may also want to change which liquors you use in the recipe as well. Some other Kool-Aid flavors I think would make tasty jello shots include lemonade, pineapple, watermelon, orange, black cherry, and blue raspberry lemonade!
Looking for more great recipes for jello shots?
→ Check out all of my favorite recipes for shots and cocktails!
Kool-Aid Jello Shots
By Laura | Laura The Gastronaut
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Chill Time: 3-4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 10 shots
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Nothing gets more nostalgic than a glass of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. These easy jello shots have all the same great tastes and fruity flavor of your childhood favorite. Kool-Aid jello shots are the perfect addition to any type of party!
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Ingredients
• 1 cup water, divided
• 1 packet (~2 1/2 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 packet (0.16 oz) Tropical Punch Kool-Aid
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1/2 cup cherry vodka
• Optional: 10 small orange slices, garnish
• Optional: 10 small lime wedges, garnish
• Optional: 10 maraschino cherries, garnish
Instructions
➊ In a medium bowl, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/4 cup water. Let sit 5 minutes.
➋ In a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup water and sugar over medium heat, whisking frequently. As soon as it begins to boil, remove from heat and whisk into set gelatin. Continue whisking until gelatin is dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
➌ Whisk in Kool-Aid. Then whisk in triple sec and cherry vodka.
➍ Pour gelatin mixture into 10 plastic shot cups. Chill in fridge for 3-4 hours, or until set.
➎ Right before serving, garnish each shot with orange slice, lime wedge, and/or maraschino cherry, if desired. Cheers!
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Category: Alcoholic Shots Cuisine: American
Keywords: koolaid jello shots recipe, tropical punch jello shots, fruity jello shots recipe, koolaid shots recipe, kool-aid shot, cherry vodka jello shots, fruit-flavored jello shots
More Recipes for Jello Shots:
✽ Strawberry Lemon Jello Shots (delicious lemonade-inspired jello shots- perfect for summer)
✽ Cherry Bomb Jello Shots (tasty shot made with cherry Jello, cherry vodka, and Red Bull)
✽ Dreamsicle Jello Shots (the combination of whipped cream vodka and orange Jello is so good)
→ Check out all of my alcoholic shot recipes!
Bon appétit!
June 16, 2023 by Laura Ehlers
*This Kool-Aid Jello Shots blog post and recipe may contain some Amazon affiliate links. These link to products that I personally use and recommend. If you purchase anything using my links, it will not cost you anything. It will though give laurathegastronaut.com some financial support which helps me keep this blog running. Thank you for reading my blogs and your continued support.