✔ Updated · fixed gelatin method + alcohol facts, added agar and alcohol-free versions
To me, tequila jello shots are a margarita you can eat with a spoon: fresh lime juice, a little sugar and blanco tequila, set with unflavored gelatin in small cups and finished with a pinch of salt and a lime wedge.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Add the tequila only after the gelatin mixture has cooled for 5 minutes. Hot liquid drives off alcohol and can weaken the set.
They contain alcohol and are for adults of legal drinking age only (21 and over in the US). This batch makes 12 shots, and each one holds about 1/3 oz (10 ml) of 80-proof tequila, roughly a quarter of a US standard drink, so four shots add up to about one drink. Below you'll find the key to a firm set, the best tequila to use, a vegan agar version and an alcohol-free batch for anyone who isn't drinking.
Why You'll Love These Jello Shots
- Real margarita flavor from fresh lime juice and blanco tequila instead of a boxed mix.
- Make-ahead party food: they set in 3 hours and keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Easy to adapt: switch to an agar version for vegans or make an alcohol-free batch with the same method.
How Strong Are Tequila Jello Shots?
These shots contain real alcohol, and because they taste like candy it is easy to lose count. Here are the numbers for this recipe, made with 80-proof (40% ABV) tequila:
- Per batch: 1/2 cup (4 oz / 120 ml) tequila in about 1 1/2 cups of liquid, which makes a mixture of roughly 12% alcohol.
- Per shot: about 1/3 oz (10 ml) of tequila, roughly a quarter of a US standard drink.
- Four shots contain about as much alcohol as one standard drink, such as a 1.5-oz shot of tequila.
- Adults only: serve them only to guests of legal drinking age (21 and over in the US), keep them away from children and pets, and never drive after drinking.
- Don't serve them to anyone who is pregnant, taking medication that interacts with alcohol, or choosing not to drink. Make the alcohol-free batch below instead.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Never boil the gelatin. Warm it just until it dissolves. Boiling weakens gelatin, and a weak set plus alcohol means soft, runny shots.
- Keep the alcohol at about a third of the liquid. This recipe uses 1/2 cup tequila in about 1 1/2 cups total. Adding more tequila than that stops the shots from setting properly and makes them much stronger.
- Use blanco tequila. A smooth, mid-priced 100% agave blanco (silver) tequila gives the cleanest lime flavor, and it's what I always reach for. Aged reposado or añejo tequila turns the shots amber and its oak flavor gets lost.
- Grease or lid the cups. A very light wipe of neutral oil inside the cups helps the shots slide out, and lids stop them drying out or picking up fridge smells. I keep a little stack of lidded cups just for party trays.
- Label everything. Jello shots look like a kids' treat. Keep the alcoholic tray clearly marked, out of reach of children, and set out the alcohol-free batch separately.
Tequila Jello Shots (Margarita Style)
12
shots10
minutes5
minutes43
kcal3
hours3
hours15
minutesMargarita-style tequila jello shots for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US): unflavored gelatin, fresh lime juice, sugar and blanco tequila, set in 12 small cups. Each shot contains about 1/3 oz (10 ml) of 80-proof tequila, roughly a quarter of a US standard drink.
Ingredients
- For 12 Shots (21+ only)
3/4 cup (180 ml) cold water, divided (1/2 cup + 1/4 cup)
1/2 oz (14 g) unflavored powdered gelatin (2 envelopes, about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
1/2 cup (4 oz / 120 ml) blanco (silver) tequila, 80 proof / 40% ABV
1-2 drops green food coloring (optional)
- To Serve
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt or chili-lime seasoning
1 lime, cut into small wedges
12 2-oz plastic or silicone shot cups with lids
Directions
- Make the Shots
- Set 12 small 2-oz cups on a rimmed baking sheet so they are easy to move to the fridge.
- Pour 1/2 cup of the cold water into a small saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface and leave it for 5 minutes to bloom. It will look thick and wrinkled.
- Add the sugar and warm the pan over low heat, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the gelatin and sugar have completely dissolved and the liquid is clear. Do not let it boil.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup cold water and the lime juice. Let it cool for 5 minutes, until warm rather than hot.
- Stir in the tequila and the food coloring, if using. Adding the tequila once the mixture has cooled keeps the alcohol from evaporating and helps the shots set.
- Pour the mixture into the cups, about 1 oz in each, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, until firm.
- Serve
- Just before serving, sprinkle each shot with a pinch of flaky salt or chili-lime seasoning and add a small lime wedge. Serve cold and label them clearly as alcoholic.
Notes
- Using plain gelatin and white tequila will give you a clear colored jello shot. If you desire green or any other color, you can add a couple drops of food coloring into the mix. Alternatively, you could also use a box of flavored and colored jello but be sure to follow the instructions on the box on how much powder and liquid you should use.
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Alcohol-Free Lime Jello Shots
For guests who aren't drinking, or for a family-friendly tray, make a second batch with no tequila. Use the same method and amounts, but replace the 1/2 cup tequila with 1/2 cup cold limeade, lemon-lime soda (stirred until flat) or plain cold water plus 1 extra tablespoon of lime juice. Add it at the same stage, after the gelatin mixture has cooled.
Because there is no alcohol to soften the set, these shots come out a little firmer. Use a different color of cup or a sprinkle of sugar instead of salt so the two trays can't be mixed up.
Easy Variations
- Shortcut with flavored gelatin: dissolve one 3-oz box of lime gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stir in 1/2 cup cold water, cool for 5 minutes, then add 1/2 cup tequila. Pour into 12 to 14 cups and chill.
- Vegan agar shots: whisk 1 1/2 teaspoons agar powder into 3/4 cup water with the sugar, boil for 1 to 2 minutes, then off the heat stir in the lime juice and tequila and pour immediately. Agar sets firmer and faster than gelatin.
- Strawberry margarita: replace the extra 1/4 cup water with strained strawberry puree. For a frozen-style drink instead, try our strawberry margarita.
- Spicy: drop a very thin slice of jalapeño into each cup before pouring, and rim with chili-lime seasoning.
- Pineapple or watermelon: swap the extra water for strained pineapple or watermelon juice, then see our pineapple margarita and watermelon margarita.
- Fruit-flavored shots: for a peach version, try our peach jello shots, and browse more tequila cocktails.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: prepare them the day before a party so they are fully set.
- Fridge: cover with lids and keep for up to 3 days for the best texture. See how long jello shots last in the fridge for more detail.
- At a party: serve them from a tray set over ice and don't leave them out of the fridge for more than about 2 hours.
- Freezing: not recommended. Gelatin turns grainy and watery once it thaws.
- Unmolding: squeeze the cup gently or run a thin knife around the edge. For squares, set the mixture in an 8-inch dish lined with plastic wrap and cut it once firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much alcohol is in a tequila jello shot?
In this recipe, 4 oz of 80-proof tequila is divided between 12 shots, so each contains about 1/3 oz (10 ml) of tequila, roughly a quarter of a US standard drink. Four shots add up to about one standard drink. They are for adults 21 and over only.
What is the best tequila for jello shots?
A smooth, mid-priced 100% agave blanco (silver) tequila works best. Its clean, citrusy flavor suits lime, and it keeps the shots a bright, clear color. There is no need for an expensive aged tequila, but very cheap mixto tequila can taste harsh.
Can you make jello shots with agar instead of gelatin?
Yes. Use about 1 1/2 teaspoons of agar powder for this batch. Agar has to be boiled for 1 to 2 minutes to activate, and it starts to set as it cools, so stir in the lime juice and tequila off the heat and pour into the cups right away.
How long do tequila jello shots take to set?
Allow at least 3 hours in the fridge, or 4 hours for a very firm set. For a party, make them the day before. Freezing to speed things up is not recommended, because it breaks the gelatin and leaves the shots watery once they thaw.
How long do jello shots last in the fridge?
Covered with lids, they keep their best texture for up to 3 days in the fridge. After that they start to weep and turn rubbery. Don't freeze them, and don't leave them out of the fridge for more than about 2 hours at a party.
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