Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots takes a classic tequila cocktail and turns it into fun party food in 5 minutes! With their bright crimson and orange colors and burst of refreshing fruity flavors, each slurpable sweet treat tastes like sipping on a summertime sunrise!
Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots – The perfect summer cocktail
This Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots recipe quickly transforms the boozy beverage Mick Jagger made famous into an easy-to-make picture-perfect shot filled with spiked cherry and orange jello.
You don’t need any special skills to create the “sunrise” effect, but in order to achieve this layered look, it must be constructed according to my simple and easy steps.
Tequila has a smooth, mellow flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the orange juice and grenadine in these small-sized cocktails.
Fitting for warm weather festivities, and perfect to serve poolside, when it comes to easy entertaining, Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots are tasty twist on the traditional tequila drink, simply made mini.
Everything you need to know on how to make the best Jello Shots.
Why We Love This Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots Recipe
- Quick and easy to make in 5 minutes.
- Only uses 5 ingredients plus water.
- No shakers or blenders needed to make these delicious boozy bites.
- Make-ahead recipe is the ideal time-saver for party prep.
- Tasty twist on the classic cocktail.
- Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed any sized crowd.
- Perfect for backyard BBQs, pool parties, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day celebrations, and summer gatherings.
Other Jell-O Shots Recipe
Ingredients
- Cherry flavored Jello gelatin
- Water
- Tequila: I used Jose Cuervo Silver.
- Grenadine syrup
- Orange flavored Jello gelatin
- Fresh squeezed orange juice
- Maraschino cherries and navel orange wedges for garnish
Substitutions and Additions
- Great Garnishes: Garnish your jello shots with a cute cocktail umbrella, a maraschino cherry and/or a small naval orange wedge.
- Swap The Syrup: If you want to keep this recipe very simple, you can swap out the grenadine syrup for ¼ of the juice from the jar of the maraschino cherries. This will save you from having to purchase an item that you may not use otherwise. Grenadine syrup is used in a variety of other cocktails and has a long shelf life so it will not go to waste if you do choose to use it.
- Omit The Fresh Orange: I purchased 3 large navel oranges for this recipe (for the juice and the garnish) but if you want to make these jello shots ahead of time, or want to omit the orange wedge garnish, then you can substitute a good quality pulp-free orange juice in place of squeezing your own juice.
Recommended Tools
- 2 oz. sized, jello shot/condiment cups
- Mixing bowl with pour spout
See Full Recipe Card Below
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots
Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots are easy to make in 5 minutes and are a fun way to chew your booze! It’s so simple to turn a classic cocktail into a cool and refreshing sweet treat and serve it as a small-sized shot.
- Make The Cherry Mixture: Combine the cherry flavored jello gelatin powder and boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add the tequila and grenadine syrup, stir, and pour the liquid into the bottom ⅓-½ of each plastic cup. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Make The Orange Mixture: Combine the cherry flavored jello gelatin powder and boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add the tequila and orange juice, stir, and pour the liquid on top of the set cherry layer. Refrigerate for an additional 3-4 hours or until fully set.
- Serve: Garnish with a small wedge of fresh orange and a maraschino cherry, serve, and enjoy!
Tips From Our Recipe Developer
- When making layered shots be sure to let the first layer set fully before adding the second layer so you get a defined line between the layers.
- I like to line up my shot glasses on a flat, firm, moveable surface like a tray or cookie sheet. This makes it easier to move them back and forth from the fridge.
- This recipe is really easy to double or triple.
Storage Tips
- To Store: You can store these Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To Freeze: I do not recommend freezing these jello shots.
Other Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes
- Dirty Shirley Float
- Bomb Pop Cocktail
- Boozy Dole Whip
- Pineapple Rum Punch
- Pina Colada Pudding Shots
- Strawberry Lemonade Jello Shots
- Beach Party Jello Cups
Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots
Serves — 18
Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots are quick and easy to make in mere minutes and taste just like the classic cocktail, in a perfect party size. Serve them at pool parties and summer celebrations, each sweet sip is refreshing and delicious.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
Cherry layer:
- 3 oz (1 box) Cherry flavored Jello gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- ¾ cup Tequila (I used Jose Cuervo Silver)
- ¼ cup Grenadine syrup
Orange layer:
- 3 oz (1 box) Orange flavored Jello gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup Tequila (I used Jose Cuervo Silver)
- ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice from 1-2 large navel oranges (pulp strained out)
Garnish:
- Maraschino cherries & Navel orange small wedges
Instructions
- Place (18) 2 oz. sized, jello shot/condiment cups onto a rimmed tray and set aside.
- You will need to make the cherry layer first by adding to a large mixing bowl, with a pour spout, the cherry flavored jello gelatin powder and boiling water. Stir to completely dissolve the gelatin powder.
- To the cherry liquid add the tequila and grenadine syrup. Stir to combine.
- Carefully pour the cherry liquid into the bottom ⅓-½ of each of the 2 oz. plastic cups.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours before proceeding with the orange layer.
- For the orange layer add to a large spouted mixing bowl the orange flavored jello gelatin and boiling water. Stir to completely dissolve the gelatin powder.
- Add the tequila and fresh squeezed orange juice. Stir to combine.
- Carefully pour the orange liquid on top of the cherry layer (make sure the cherry layer has completely set first) to fill each of the plastic cups.
- Refrigerate for an additional 3-4 hours or until fully set.
- Garnish each tequila sunrise jello shot with a small wedge of fresh orange and a maraschino cherry.
Jenn’s Notes
Storage:
- To Store: You can store these Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To Freeze: I do not recommend freezing these jello shots.
- When making layered shots be sure to let the first layer set fully before adding the second layer so you get a defined line between the layers.
- I like to line up my shot glasses on a flat, firm, moveable surface like a tray or cookie sheet. This makes it easier to move them back and forth from the fridge.
- This recipe is really easy to double or triple.
- If you want to keep this recipe very simple, you can swap out the grenadine syrup for ¼ of the juice from the jar of the maraschino cherries. This will save you from having to purchase an item that you may not use otherwise. Grenadine syrup is used in a variety of other cocktails and has a long shelf life so it will not go to waste if you do choose to use it.
- I purchased 3 large navel oranges for this recipe (for the juice and the garnish) but if you want to make these jello shots ahead of time, or want to omit the orange wedge garnish, then you can substitute a good quality pulp-free orange juice in place of squeezing your own juice.
- I used a mid grade silver tequila for this recipe because it is mixed with the flavored gelatin. You can use a gold tequila also but I do suggest using one that you would drink in a standard cocktail. You do not need to use the expensive top shelf varieties but I would stay away from the really low end ones.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
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