Name: Cranberry Jello Shots
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (3 oz.) boxes of cranberry jello; 3 cups water, divided; 1 cup vodka; Sugared cranberries or plain fresh cranberries for garnish

This post may contain affiliate links. See our full disclosure policy, here.

Jump to Recipe

Looking for an easy Christmas party shot? These Cranberry Jello Shots are the perfect festive treat! With their beautiful red color and delicious cranberry flavor, they’re a fun addition to just about any holiday celebration.

Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, throwing an ugly Christmas sweater party or planning a festive get-together with friends, these easy jello shots are sure to be a fun addition to your holiday drink menu.

You can even make them the day before your party, leaving you plenty of time to focus on all the other holiday preparations.

If you love festive holiday flavors, don’t miss our collection of Christmas jello shot recipes! From classic red and green shots to fun Christmas-themed creations, there’s something for every holiday party.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Jello Shots

Perfect for Christmas- their bright red color is ideal for holiday parties and festive gatherings.
Easy to make- with just a few ingredients and a little prep time, you can whip up a batch of these party shots.
Great for a crowd- make a large batch ahead of time and serve them in individual cups.
Easy to customize- dress them up with fresh cranberries, rosemary, or other festive garnishes.

Ingredients

Cranberry jello
Vodka
Water
Optional fresh cranberries or sugared cranberries

See recipe card for full details.

How to Make Cranberry Jello Shots

These easy Cranberry Jello Shots are a great make-ahead option for holiday entertaining.

Step 1: Place jello shot cups onto a shallow baking pan for easy transport to the refrigerator.

Step 2: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

Step 3: Remove from the heat and whisk in two boxes of cranberry jello.

Step 4: Add 1 cup cold water and 1 cup vodka. Stir to combine.

Step 5: Fill jello shot cups with cranberry jello mixture.

Step 6: Move to the refrigerator to chill for 4 hours.

Step 7: Before serving, garnish with fresh cranberries or sugared cranberries.

Make them Extra Festive

One of my favorite things about cranberry recipes is how easy they are to dress up for Christmas! Their gorgeous red color looks beautiful alongside traditional holiday decorations.

Here are a few ways to make your cranberry jello shots extra festive:

Fresh cranberries: add a couple of fresh cranberries on top for a pretty holiday presentation. These are decorative and should be removed before eating, although raw fresh cranberries are perfectly safe, they can be sour.

Rosemary sprigs: a small sprig of rosemary gives your shots a festive red and green Christmas look. Again, we don’t recommend actually eating the rosemary!

Sugared cranberries: these make an especially pretty garnish for holiday parties. These are a bit yummier if your guests do want to eat them.

Festive serving trays: arrange your jello shots on a white or silver platter with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary scattered around the cups.

For the prettiest presentation, add your garnishes just before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Jello Shots

Allow plenty of time to set. Prepare your jello shots at least four hours before your party, although making them the night before is even better.

Measure your alcohol carefully. Adding too much vodka can prevent your gelatin from setting properly. Stick to the measurements in the recipe card.

Use cups with lids. Small plastic cups with lids make these shots easy to store and transport. They’re especially convenient if you’re taking them to a holiday party.

Keep them chilled. Store your jello shots in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. For longer parties, bring out small batches at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vodka is best for cranberry jello shots?

Regular unflavored vodka works perfectly for this recipe. If you want to experiment with different flavors, cranberry or citrus vodka would also be delicious. Just be sure to keep the total alcohol amount the same.

Can I use cranberry juice instead of cranberry jello?

You CAN make your shots with cranberry juice and unflavored gelatin, but I really don’t recommend it. We have a few recipes with unflavored gelatin on the site, and it can be hit or miss if those recipes turn out without having a weird texture or flavor, so I try my best to avoid using it.

Can I make Cranberry Jello Shots the night before?

Absolutely! Making them the night before is one of the easiest ways to prepare for a Christmas party. Keep them covered in the refrigerator and add any garnishes right before serving.

How long do Cranberry Jello Shots last?

For the best flavor and texture, enjoy your jello shots within 2-3 days. Keep them refrigerated in airtight containers or individual cups with lids.

Can I make these without alcohol?

Yes! You can make a nonalcoholic version by replacing the vodka with an appropriate amount of cranberry juice or water. The gelatin and liquid proportions just need to stay the same- I.E. 2 boxes of jello needs 4 cups total liquid, and for it to properly set, 2 of those cups needs to be boiling hot when you mix the jello.

More Christmas Jello Shots

If you’re planning a holiday party, don’t stop with these cranberry jello shots! Check out my full collection of Christmas Jello Shots for more festive party recipes.

You might also love my Cosmo Jello Shots, which combine cranberry and citrus flavors, inspired by the classic cosmopolitan cocktail.