About 5 years ago, we attended a July 4th picnic at my sister’s house, where a friend made what was likely hundreds of Jello shots for the party-goers.

Right then and there, my life as I knew it took a drastic detour.

My inner lush rejoiced!  How could such a low-key, ordinary confection become a party necessity? Simple. They are made mostly of BOOZE! 😀

Jello shots don’t just make the party.  Jello shots ARE the party.

July 4, 2007 – Do these people look drunk to you?

Fast forward  to June 3rd 2012, when yours truly was left in the back of a 11 passenger van with a cooler (8 dozen to be exact) of these little delights on the way to Dover International Speedway.  It was 9 am and folks were already popping beers.  I glanced in my cooler.  Such pretty colors…all cool and welcoming.  Then, I think one winked at me.  It was a margarita.  My favorite.

I glanced at my daughter, who was giving me the evil eye.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom”.

“Whaaat…it’s fruit!” I replied.

She just shook her head at me.

So, I quietly slurpled my Jello in the van for the duration of the ride. Not surprisingly, when we arrived, I had…erm…a little trouble getting out of the van.

Dennis said, “How many of those things did you have??”

I glanced in my little trash bag.

“Ooops….ummm…a dozen?”

He walked away, shaking his head.

“Whaaat…it’s fruit!  There’s always room for Jello!”

Yeah, those words would haunt me 14 hours later when I raced to the bathroom to revisit my track dogs.  Mike’s Harder Lemonade didn’t help either. Oh and stupid Jimmie Johnson won the race.  Honestly, I think that’s what made me sick. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Anywho…here is my recipe for PERFECT Jello shots.  

You can thank me later.  

Perfect Margarita Jello Shots

• 1 3 oz. box lime Jello
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• 3/4 cup tequila (I used Margaritaville Silver)
• 1 oz cup containers with lids (can be purchased at the party store)
• Non-stick cooking spray
• I make mine in a Pyrex measuring cup with pour spout.  It makes life easier.

• Dissolve Jello in one cup boiling water.
• Set aside until mixture is just warm, not hot – This is important so that your alcohol does not burn off.
• Add in alcohol and stir
• Lay cups out on cookie sheet and spray with cooking spray (this step is optional, but they’re easier to slurp out if you do it)
• Slowly pour into cups.  I used a gravy ladle to measure exactly how much in each cup.
• Put lids on and refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.
• These transport great in zip lock bags in a cooler to take to parties or tailgating.  Mark the caps with a sharpie marker to indicate which alcohol/flavor they are.