Vampire Kiss Jello Shots Recipe

I whipped up Vampire Kiss Jello Shots, blood-red adult gelatin cups that make Halloween Jello Shots a striking centerpiece for any October party.

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I make Vampire Kiss Jello Shots every October because they get the room talking. The cherry gelatin sets into a stunning blood red that somehow looks both elegant and a little wicked, and the vodka gives the whole thing that adult edge.

Guests always stare, then joke about vampires, then quietly pocket one for later. Halloween Jello Shots are a tiny theatrical moment on a dessert table, messy in the best way, like a mini prank you actually want to be caught doing.

I never plan on sharing all of them, and yeah sometimes I dont.

Ingredients

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Cherry gelatin: mostly sugar, gives carbs and bright red flavor, not much nutrition though.
Vodka: adds booze and warming bite, no real nutrients, adds burn not flavor.
Grenadine: super sweet syrup, adds syrupy blood look, mostly sugar and flavor.
Red food coloring: no nutrients, just color boost, makes shots extra creepy looking.
Red sanding sugar: rim sparkle and crunch, adds sweetness and cute blood rim effect.
Gummy vampire teeth: fun garnish, mostly sugar carbs, kids will love the gross factor.
Whipped cream: creamy sweet topper, adds fat and calories, softens boozy edge of shots.

Ingredient Quantities

1 (3 oz) package cherry or strawberry gelatin, cherry gives a darker blood red

1 cup boiling water, yep boiling

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup vodka (80 proof) — plain vodka works best

a few drops red food coloring, optional for extra deep color

2 tablespoons grenadine, optional for syrupy “blood” drips

red sanding sugar or superfine sugar for rims, optional

mini gummy vampire teeth or gummy worms for garnish, optional

whipped cream for topping, optional

How to Make this

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1. Pour 1 cup boiling water into a heatproof bowl and sprinkle the 1 (3 oz) package cherry or strawberry gelatin over it, let it sit 30 seconds to bloom then stir until completely dissolved, cherry will give a darker blood red color.

2. Let the hot gelatin sit 30-60 seconds so it cools a little, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka (80 proof) — plain vodka works best; if you add the vodka while it’s scalding hot more alcohol will evaporate and it can get weaker.

3. Add 2 tablespoons grenadine for syrupy “blood” flavor and a few drops red food coloring if you want an extra deep color, then taste a tiny bit (don’t be a fool, just a tiny lick) and adjust color or grenadine if needed.

4. If you want sugar-rimmed cups, pour a little grenadine or simple syrup on a small plate, dip each shot cup rim into it, then dip the rim into red sanding sugar or superfine sugar, set cups aside to dry for a minute.

5. Arrange plastic or silicone shot cups on a tray and carefully pour the jello mixture into them, fill almost to the top but leave a little room if you plan to add whipped cream later.

6. For gummy vampire teeth that stick, press them in gently after the shots have been chilling 30-60 minutes and are tacky but not fully set; if you wait until fully set they’ll just sit on top and might slide off.

7. Chill the filled cups in the fridge until fully set, at least 2 to 4 hours, overnight is best for firm shots; don’t try to rush with the freezer unless you’re watching it closely because you can freeze them solid.

8. Right before serving, top with a small dollop of whipped cream and a mini gummy vampire tooth or gummy worm, and drizzle a few drops of grenadine for creepy blood drips.

9. Quick hacks: if shots are too wobbly next time use less vodka or more gelatin, to unmold silicone shapes dip the bottoms in warm water for a second, and to make rims stick better use grenadine not water.

Equipment Needed

1. Heatproof mixing bowl, big enough for 1 cup boiling water
2. Kettle or saucepan to boil the water
3. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 2 tbsp)
4. Whisk or heatproof spoon to stir
5. Small plate and shallow dish for grenadine and sugar rims
6. Silicone or plastic shot cups and a tray to hold them while they set
7. Small measuring cup or ladle for pouring the jello into cups
8. Refrigerator to chill until fully set
9. Small dropper or squeeze bottle for drizzling grenadine and adding food coloring if you want extra color

FAQ

How long do these Vampire Kiss Jello shots need to set?

Plan on 2 to 4 hours in the fridge for standard plastic cups, maybe longer for big silicone molds. Small shot cups set faster. If it jiggles but doesn't hold shape, give it more time.

Can I make them non alcoholic for kids or sober guests?

Yes. Swap the 1/2 cup vodka for 1/2 cup cold water or fruit juice and follow the rest of the recipe the same. They’ll taste sweeter and still set fine.

What if I want them stronger, can I add more vodka?

Don't add much more, too much alcohol stops the gelatin from setting. The recipe's 1/2 cup 80 proof vodka gives about a 10% ABV in the mix. If you use higher proof, cut the amount down and replace with cold water, but test a small batch first.

How do I get a deep, creepy blood red color?

Use cherry gelatin instead of strawberry, add a few drops of gel food coloring (red is best), and if you want it darker add a teeny drop of purple or black gel color. Go slow though, a little goes a long way.

Tips for rimming and making those syrupy "blood" drips?

Wet the rim with grenadine or simple syrup then dip in red sanding sugar. For drips, spoon a little grenadine on top after they set so it runs down, or pour a few drops right before serving. If you pour it in before they set it will mostly sink instead of dripping.

How should I store them and how long do they last? Are they safe to serve?

Keep covered in the fridge and eat within 3 to 5 days for best texture. Don't freeze them. These contain alcohol so do not serve to minors or anyone who shouldn't drink. And don't leave them sitting out at room temp for more than a couple hours.

Vampire Kiss Jello Shots Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka: swap the 1/2 cup with light rum or blanco tequila for a different kick, or make it non alcoholic by using 1/2 cup sparkling water or cranberry juice instead — same volume, less booze.
Cherry or strawberry gelatin: use raspberry or black cherry gelatin for a darker, fruitier “blood,” or use unflavored gelatin mixed with fresh/pureed cherries or strawberries for a more natural taste (follow the unflavored packet directions).
Grenadine: replace 2 tablespoons with pomegranate juice sweetened with a little simple syrup, or use cranberry concentrate or raspberry syrup for that syrupy drip look and tartness.
Whipped cream topping: swap with coconut whipped cream for dairy free, or spread a little marshmallow fluff for a gooey, spooky finish that sticks to gummy teeth.

Pro Tips

– Let the gelatin fully bloom and dissolve or they’ll be grainy, not smooth. If you taste tiny bits of sugar or grit reheat the mix just a few seconds and stir, it fixes most problems.

– Cool the mixture enough before adding vodka so less alcohol evaporates, that way the shots actually pack a punch. If you want them stronger, use a higher proof spirit or cut back on the cold water a little.

– Want firmer shots? Use less alcohol or a little more gelatin. Want wobblier, more sloshy jello, do the opposite. If you over-set them, quick dip the outside of silicone cups in warm water to loosen for easy unmolding.

– For presentation, press gummy teeth or worms in while the jello is tacky not rock hard so they stick, and use grenadine or syrup for rims and “blood” drips since plain water won’t hold sugar on the rim.

Vampire Kiss Jello Shots Recipe

Recipe by Dan Coroni

0.0 from 0 votes

I whipped up Vampire Kiss Jello Shots, blood-red adult gelatin cups that make Halloween Jello Shots a striking centerpiece for any October party.

Servings

servings

Calories

350

kcal

Equipment: 1. Heatproof mixing bowl, big enough for 1 cup boiling water
2. Kettle or saucepan to boil the water
3. Measuring cups and spoons (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 2 tbsp)
4. Whisk or heatproof spoon to stir
5. Small plate and shallow dish for grenadine and sugar rims
6. Silicone or plastic shot cups and a tray to hold them while they set
7. Small measuring cup or ladle for pouring the jello into cups
8. Refrigerator to chill until fully set
9. Small dropper or squeeze bottle for drizzling grenadine and adding food coloring if you want extra color

Ingredients

1 (3 oz) package cherry or strawberry gelatin, cherry gives a darker blood red
1 cup boiling water, yep boiling
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup vodka (80 proof) — plain vodka works best
a few drops red food coloring, optional for extra deep color
2 tablespoons grenadine, optional for syrupy "blood" drips
red sanding sugar or superfine sugar for rims, optional
mini gummy vampire teeth or gummy worms for garnish, optional
whipped cream for topping, optional

Directions

Pour 1 cup boiling water into a heatproof bowl and sprinkle the 1 (3 oz) package cherry or strawberry gelatin over it, let it sit 30 seconds to bloom then stir until completely dissolved, cherry will give a darker blood red color.
Let the hot gelatin sit 30-60 seconds so it cools a little, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka (80 proof) — plain vodka works best; if you add the vodka while it’s scalding hot more alcohol will evaporate and it can get weaker.
Add 2 tablespoons grenadine for syrupy "blood" flavor and a few drops red food coloring if you want an extra deep color, then taste a tiny bit (don’t be a fool, just a tiny lick) and adjust color or grenadine if needed.
If you want sugar-rimmed cups, pour a little grenadine or simple syrup on a small plate, dip each shot cup rim into it, then dip the rim into red sanding sugar or superfine sugar, set cups aside to dry for a minute.
Arrange plastic or silicone shot cups on a tray and carefully pour the jello mixture into them, fill almost to the top but leave a little room if you plan to add whipped cream later.
For gummy vampire teeth that stick, press them in gently after the shots have been chilling 30-60 minutes and are tacky but not fully set; if you wait until fully set they’ll just sit on top and might slide off.
Chill the filled cups in the fridge until fully set, at least 2 to 4 hours, overnight is best for firm shots; don’t try to rush with the freezer unless you’re watching it closely because you can freeze them solid.
Right before serving, top with a small dollop of whipped cream and a mini gummy vampire tooth or gummy worm, and drizzle a few drops of grenadine for creepy blood drips.
Quick hacks: if shots are too wobbly next time use less vodka or more gelatin, to unmold silicone shapes dip the bottoms in warm water for a second, and to make rims stick better use grenadine not water.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.