These Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots mimic the beautifully layered classic Tequila Sunrise Cocktail for a fun and delicious party treat! Made with the flavors of a tequila sunrise drink like tequila, grenadine, lemon-lime soda, and cherry and orange jello (in lieu of the juices), they’re so delicious!
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Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots
Nobody can deny the beauty of a tequila sunrise cocktail and its gorgeous gradient reminiscent of a summer sunrise. We couldn’t resist taking its classic look and flavors and converting it into these tequila sunrise jello shots to add to our collection of jello shot recipes.
This Jello shot recipe contains the traditional tequila sunrise ingredients like tequila, grenadine, lemon-lime soda, and both cherry and orange gelatin (in lieu of cranberry and orange juice.) After the mixture is chilled and firm, we top them off with fresh piped whipped cream, orange slices, and a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements)
- Cherry Jell-O gelatin
- Orange Jell-O gelatin
- Boiling water
- Lemon-lime soda, FLAT, chilled (see note)
- Tequila, chilled
- Lime juice
- Grenadine syrup
- Garnish: Fresh piped whipped cream, orange slices, and maraschino cherries
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How to Make Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots
Jello shots are simply Jello mixed with alcohol (in this case, tequila.) These tequila sunrise jello shots are made slightly different than our other jello shot recipes, only because we’re after that layered affect to mimic a tequila sunrise cocktail. Here’s a summary how to make them:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements)
- Dissolve cherry jello powder in boiling water. Boil water and pour it in a bowl with the cherry Jell-O gelatin powder. Whisk the Jello powder to make sure it completely dissolves in the water.
- Add in the other liquids. Whisk in the cold tequila, grenadine, and lime juice.
- Pour into plastic cups. Pour the mixture into plastic containers, filling a third to halfway full.
- Chill until firm. Chill the jello cups in the refrigerator until firm.
- Dissolve orange jello powder in boiling water. Boil water and pour it in a bowl with the orange Jell-O gelatin powder. Whisk the Jello powder to make sure it completely dissolves in the water.
- Add in the other liquids. Whisk in the cold tequila and cold lemon-lime soda.
- Pour on top of the set cherry layer. Carefully pour the orange gelatin mixture on top of the solid cherry layer, filling the plastic cups almost to the top.
- Chill until firm. Transfer back to the fridge so the orange layer can chill until firm.
- Garnish. Right before serving, pipe a little fresh whipped cream on top, followed by a maraschino cherry, and tiny orange wedge.
Tips for Success
- Set out a sheet pan: Spreading out jello shot cups on a sheet pan makes them easy to transfer to the fridge once they’re filled.
- Use something with a spout for pouring: A large spouted measuring cup or mixing bowl that has a spout helps prevent spills when you’re pouring the liquid jello into the cups.
- Use flat soda. The soda doesn’t have to be flat, however, poured straight from the can there will be A LOT of foam. Once adding it to the jello mixture, you’ll either need to wait for it to settle or pop with toothpicks. Otherwise, the jello jots will set with bubbles on top. I suggest opening up a can the day before you’ll be using it, let it chill and let it become a little flat.
- Chill all the liquids: Make space in your fridge to chill the lemon-lime soda and tequila. This ensures the jello sets properly.
- Wait to garnish: Chill the shots until firm and then garnish right before serving.
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Jello Shot Cups
You can certainly make jello shots in shot glasses, but if you’re serving a crowd, these Jello shot condiment cups are a way better option. You get a lot of them for super cheap, they come with lids, and they’re disposable, so virtually no clean up. For this recipe, you’ll need 18 of the 2 ounce size.
How to Serve Jello Shots
Garnishing your jello shots is optional, but we love the addition of a fresh piped whipped cream, an orange wedge, and maraschino cherry to make them more delicious and festive. We do wait to garnish the shots until right before serving so the whipped cream and fruit stays fresh. When you’re ready to enjoy them, run a dull knife around the inside edge of the container to loosen the jello and remove it. We also recommend giving your guests tasting spoons for those who don’t want to swallow them all at once.
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Make Ahead and Storing
- How long do jello shots take to set? Our recipe calls for 2 ounce shots and will take between 3-4 hours PER LAYER to firm up, so about 8 hours total. If you make them bigger, they will take longer.
- How long do jello shots last? In the refrigerator, they will stay good for 3-5 days. Once removed from the fridge, they don’t last long, especially in a warmer atmosphere. Plan to consume the shots within 30–45 minutes.
- Can you freeze jello shots? You can freeze shots. They will get colder and firmer than shots chilled in the fridge, of course, but it’s not our preferred method since they tend to get grainy.
More Jello Shot Recipes:
- Dirty Shirley Jello Shots
- Mojito Jello Shots
- Sex on the Beach Jello Shots
- Sea Breeze Jello Shots
- Blue Hawaiian Jello Shots
- Pina Colada Jello Shots
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
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Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots
Equipment
- 18 (2 ounce) jello shot cups with lids
- Tasting spoons, optional
Ingredients
CHERRY LAYER
- 3 ounce box cherry Jell-O gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3/4 cup tequila , chilled
- 3 tablespoons grenadine syrup
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
ORANGE LAYER
- 3 ounce orange Jell-O gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup tequila , chilled
- 1/2 cup lemon lime soda , FLAT, chilled (see note)
FOR GARNISH
- piped whipped cream
- 18 maraschino cherries , stems removed, drained and patted dry
- 5 thin round orange Cutie slices , quartered
Instructions
- Place the plastic jello shot cups on a sheet pan without the lids on. Set aside.
- Make the cherry layer first:Add the powdered cherry JELL-O to a mixing bowl. Pour in boiling water and whisk until gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Add in the cold tequila, grenadine, and lime juice. Whisk to combine.
- Carefully pour the gelatin mixture into each plastic cup, filling a third to halfway full.
- Transfer sheet pan of jello shots into the refrigerator and chill for 4 hours or until set.
- Make the orange layer:Add the powdered orange JELL-O to a spouted mixing bowl. Pour in boiling water and whisk until gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Add in the cold tequila and cold lemon-lime soda. Whisk to combine. If it isn't already, let it cool to the touch (but is still pourable.)
- Make certain that the cherry layer has completely set, then carefully pour the orange gelatin mixture on top of it, filling the plastic cups almost to the top.
- Transfer sheet pan of jello shots back to the refrigerator and chill for another 4 hours (or overnight) until set.
- Right before serving, pipe a little fresh whipped cream on top, followed by a maraschino cherry, and tiny orange wedge.
- Serve with tasting spoons and enjoy!