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Quick Cranberry Vodka Christmas Jello Shots: Easy Holiday Recipe

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These Quick Cranberry Vodka Christmas Jello Shots are tart, sweet, festive, and dangerously easy to drink. Made with cranberry juice instead of water, they have a silky texture and beautiful ruby-red color perfect for holiday parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1 cup vodka
  • 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • Fresh cranberries for garnish (about ¼ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon orange zest (optional)
  • Mini silicone shot cups (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bloom the gelatin: Pour ½ cup of the cranberry juice into a small bowl. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin powder evenly over the surface. Let it sit for 5 minutes without stirring.
  2. Heat the base: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1 cup of cranberry juice and the ¼ cup of sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely (about 3-4 minutes). Do not let it boil.
  3. Combine the gelatin: Remove the saucepan from heat. Add the bloomed gelatin mixture to the hot cranberry juice. Whisk gently but thoroughly until the gelatin is completely dissolved (about 1-2 minutes).
  4. Cool the mixture: Let the gelatin mixture cool for 5 minutes at room temperature. It should feel warm, not hot.
  5. Add the vodka: Pour the 1 cup of vodka into the cooled gelatin mixture. Whisk gently to combine.
  6. Fill the cups: Place silicone shot cups on a baking sheet. Pour the liquid mixture into each cup, filling them about ¾ full.
  7. Add the garnish: Drop 2-3 fresh cranberries into each cup. They will float to the top.
  8. Set in the fridge: Transfer the tray to the refrigerator. Let the jello shots set for at least 2 hours, but 4 hours is better. Overnight is ideal.
  9. Serve: Once fully set, remove the cups from the fridge. If using silicone cups, gently press the bottom of each cup to pop the jello shot out. Arrange on a serving platter and keep chilled until ready to serve.

Notes

Temperature control is crucial: if the gelatin mixture is too hot when adding vodka, alcohol will evaporate; if too cold, gelatin will set before filling cups. Do not over-whisk to avoid air bubbles. Use fresh cranberries for garnish, not frozen. These taste better after 24 hours in the fridge. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry vodka jello shots, Christmas jello shots, holiday jello shots, cranberry jello shots, easy jello shots

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/quick-cranberry-vodka-christmas-jello-shots-easy-holiday-recipe/