Pot of Gold Jello Shots
Why this recipe works
Get ready to add a little magic to your St. Patrick’s Day with these Pot of Gold Jello Shots! With their bright golden color, fluffy whipped topping, and a festive rainbow candy garnish, they’re the perfect fun and easy treat for any celebration.
Whether you’re making them kid-friendly or adding a little splash of boozy fun for the adults, these St. Patrick’s Day jello shots are sure to be a hit. Best of all, they require just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep—so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating!
You’ll love this recipe because:
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Lemon Jello – Use a standard 3 oz box of lemon-flavored gelatin for a bright, citrusy flavor. If you prefer a different taste, pineapple or mango jello can be a fun alternative.
- Water (divided) – You’ll need boiling water to dissolve the gelatin properly and cold water (or alcohol for the boozy version) to help it set.
- Canned Whipped Topping – This makes decorating easy and convenient, but it melts quickly. If making ahead, opt for stabilized whipped cream or whipped topping from a tub (like Cool Whip).
- Gold Sprinkles – Look for edible gold sugar, gold sanding sugar, or gold star sprinkles to add a shimmering, festive touch. Gold sugar pearls can also be used for extra texture.
- Rainbow Belt Candy – Brands like Airheads Xtremes or sour rainbow belts work well for this. Cut them into 1-1½ inch pieces for a cute rainbow effect.
Rainbow belts can be sticky and hard to cut last-minute when you’re getting ready for a party. Prep them in advance by cutting them to size and storing them in an airtight container so they’re ready to go when decorating!
Step-by-step instructions
These Christmas pretzels are very easy to make with a few simple ingredients. The steps below with matching photos are meant to help you see the recipe at various stages so that you can make these chocolate covered pretzels perfectly every time.
For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.
Expert Tips
FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the jello cups up to 2 days in advance, but wait to add the whipped topping and decorations until just before serving to keep them fresh and pretty.
If you’re making both versions, use different cup designs or label the boozy ones clearly. You can also garnish the alcoholic cups differently, like using gold sugar pearls instead of sprinkles. I prefer to use taller shot glasses for adults and shorter, wider cups (like condiment cups) for kids so they can easily get a spoon into them.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: Store the jello cups covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, though they are best consumed within 48 hours. If using plastic shot cups with lids, seal them tightly to prevent them from drying out or absorbing fridge odors.
Whipped Topping & Garnishes: Add whipped topping, sprinkles, and rainbow candy just before serving to keep everything fresh and looking its best. Whipped cream melts quickly if left out too long. Use Cool Whip if you need to decorate the jello shots a few hours in advance.
Serving from the Fridge: Jello cups are best served chilled. If using plastic shot cups, gently loosen the jello by running a toothpick or butter knife around the edge for easy removal.
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Pot of Gold Jello Shots
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 3 oz lemon jello
- 1 1/2 cups water, divided (see notes for non-alcoholic version)
- ½ cup vodka or whiskey, or additional cold water for non-alcoholic version
- Canned whipped topping, for garnish
- Gold sprinkles, for garnish
- Rainbow belt candy, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the lemon jello until fully dissolved (about 1-2 minutes).
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Stir in 1 cup cold water and mix well.
- Alcoholic Version: Stir in ½ cup cold water and ½ cup vodka or whiskey, mixing thoroughly.
- Carefully pour the jello mixture into mini shot cups, filling nearly to the top. Use a funnel or a measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring.
- Place the cups on a baking sheet for stability and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until fully set.
- Once set, decorate before serving. Add whipped topping, gold sprinkles, and a 1 to 1½-inch piece of rainbow belt candy for a festive touch.
Notes
- Liquid Options: You’ll need 2 cups of liquid for this recipe. You have options depending on if you want to make these alcoholic jello shots or non-alcoholic jello cups:
- Non-Alcoholic Version: 1 cup boiling water + 1 cup cold water
- Alcoholic Version: 1 cup boiling water + ½ cup cold water + ½ cup vodka or whiskey
- Serving Tip: Add whipped topping and garnishes right before serving to prevent melting.
- Make Ahead: These jello cups can be made up to 2 days in advance, but wait to decorate them until ready to serve.
- Kid-Friendly & Adult Versions: Make a batch without alcohol for kids and another boozy batch for adults! Just be sure to label them clearly. If you’re making these for kids, I recommend using a wider cup so that they can easily get a spoon into it.
Nutrition
