Syringe Jello Shots

Give your Halloween party a creepy vibe with Syringe Jello Shots. These boozy treats make a show-stopping centerpiece guests will remember.

About this Jello Shot Syringes recipe

Halloween hasn’t always been my favorite, but over the years I’ve come to enjoy the creativity in making spooky, scary, eerie or just plain fun costumes, decorations and treats.

Especially the drinks! The Halloween-cocktail special effects get more inventive every year! For example, these scientist cocktails made with colorful Skittles vodka and dry ice are a spooky sight to behold. (This recipe even won one of my readers first place in a mixology competition with her friends!) Or you could go creepy with vodka gummy worms. 

Jello shots are another fun way you can add some silly yet sinister pizzazz to your drink table. You can have fun with wildly colorful jello or use unique jello shot cups…like syringes.

Jello shot syringes are ghastly in a Nurse Ratched kind of way, yet so delightful to eat. Everyone at your party will remember these terrific treats every Halloween for years to come!

More jello shot recipes: Fireball Jello Shots • Margarita Jello Shots • Champagne Jello Shots • Chocolate Pudding Shots • Moscow Mule Jello Shots • Mojito Jello Shots

Why you’ll love this recipe

These Jello Shot Syringes are so fun for your next Halloween party! Guests will be raving about them.

• Jello shots are a nostalgic treat that’s fun to bring out at parties. If you loved making a big bowl of jello as a kid, you’ll love this recipe as an adult.
• These are easy to make with boxed gelatin mix and a little time.
• They have that dark, dramatic flair every Halloween event needs.

Beyond the Halloween season, these would be so silly and fun for other kinds of parties too, like a bachelor party/bachelorette party or birthday party.

They would also be very on theme on a retirement party for a doctor, nurse or other medical professional. You could also serve them at a graduation party for someone headed to med school or to celebrate their white coat ceremony. Or switch up the flavor of gelatin to match the event or school colors!

Tools & equipment

You don’t need much to make these jello shot syringes, as they pretty much make themselves! But of course, you will need food-safe plastic syringes as your jello shot mold.

Some measuring cups, bowls and a spatula are all you need for the jello. Then you can insert the syringes right into the jello liquid and slurp them up.

Where to buy Jello Shot Syringes

Jello shot syringes might be available at some craft and party supply stores that sell Halloween decorations and party goods.

However, I had the best luck finding them online. I used a set of these jello shot syringes (which come with jello shot cups as well). If you’re planning a larger affair, then you’ll need a higher amount of molds; this washable set is reusable and comes with plenty more.

Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients to make Syringe Jello Shots:

• boxed gelatin mix in your favorite flavor or mix of flavors
• water
• vodka or another clear spirit

Jell-O is the most well-known brand of flavored gelatin desserts and it comes in tons of fruity flavors, but there are other brands out there like Jel, Starburst and Jolly Rancher. 

You will need two 3-ounce boxes or one 6-ounce box for my recipe as written in the recipe card below.

Best gelatin flavors

If you want to make blood-colored jello shots like the ones shown here, you’ll want to use some kind of red gelatin. But really, you can use whatever color/flavor you like! Or make a few different colors. Have fun!

For bloody syringes, I used two kinds of gelatin, cherry and black cherry jello, plus I made a mixture of the two to mimic a third color of blood. You could use strawberry jello or make your own flavor with unflavored gelatin.

Fun fact: Did you know blood isn’t all the same shade of red? The color of blood can range from bright cherry red to dark brick red. (But it’s always red, unless you’re in a sci-fi or fantasy story!)

Best alcohol for jello shots

Vodka is the most popular choice for jello shots. However, tequila, bourbon and rum jello shots are all delicious too. The alcohol you use can be as potent as you like. I typically use 80-proof vodka for my jello shots.

You can also have fun with flavored spirits, like coconut rum, peach schnapps, cinnamon whiskey or pineapple rum. 

While it is tempting to use a higher-proof alcohol for your jello shots, they won’t get you drunk. Jello shots are a lot less boozy than a standard cocktail. However, if you’d like a boozier shot, your best bet is to add more of the 80-proof liquor and reduce the amount of cold water you use.

Substitutions & variations

Colors: If you don’t want the bloody look I used, switch up the flavor of gelatin mix. The neon-esque colors would be just as eerie. Blue raspberry, lemon, and orange would all be great choices that would resemble creepy medicine. Or use lime and call them alien shots! 

Different spirits: Vodka is the most popular choice for jello shots. However, rum, tequila and bourbon can all be used to make these fun gelatin treats. You can also have fun with flavored spirits, like marshmallow vodka or spiced rum, but be careful with spirits that have a color that could taint the look of the jello.

Non-alcoholic jello shot syringes: You can totally make jello shots without alcohol! I suggest using a different flavor/color to differentiate them from the boozy ones. Substitute a zero-proof spirit for vodka — or skip it and follow the directions on the gelatin box.

Instructions

Ready to make syringe jello shots? Put on your lab coat (er, apron) and let’s get started!

Making the gelatin

If you are only doing one flavor of gelatin: You can use just one large bowl. Add 6 ounces of jello powder to the bowl and stir in all of the boiling water, then stir in all of the vodka. (We’ll pick back up with the syringes in a moment!)

For the bloody colors pictured here: I’ll explain how I made the different blood colors I used in this recipe:

1. Prepare three bowls or measuring cups.
2. In the first bowl, combine 1 ounce each of cherry and black cherry powdered gelatin mix.
3. In the second bowl, add the remaining 2 ounces of cherry gelatin mix.
4. In the third bowl, add the remaining 2 ounces of black cherry gelatin mix.
5. Boil water using a stove, kettle or microwave. Pour ⅔ cup of boiling water into each bowl. Stir until the gelatin dissolves completely, then mix ⅔ cup of vodka into each bowl.

Making the syringes

Take a jello shot syringe with the stopper pushed down and insert it into one color of gelatin liquid. With the tip submerged, pull back the stopper to draw up the liquid. Place the cap on the end of the syringe, if desired.

To discourage and concentrate air bubbles, gently tap the syringes to release them. Do not — I repeat — DO NOT try to squirt a little bit out, or else, this:

Place the syringes at an angle against the edge of a baking sheet ^* or tray. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, until set. (I like to go a full 4 hours, but you can often get away with 2.)

Keep the shots in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them. To enjoy, your party guests can shoot these Halloween shots into plastic cups or straight into their mouth.

Tips & tricks

Stir the gelatin thoroughly in hot water until fully dissolved to ensure a smooth, even texture with no clumps.

Fill the syringes slowly. Draw the gelatin mixture into the syringes slowly to avoid air bubbles. If bubbles form, gently tap the syringe to release them.

Place the filled syringes angled down against the edge of a baking sheet ^* or tray while chilling. This helps keep air bubbles out and ensures even setting.

FAQ

More Halloween recipes

• Glow in the Dark Jello Shots
• Candy Corn Vodka
• Black Magic Champagne Cocktail