Festive, colorful, and totally kid-approved—these Patriotic Jell Cups are the kind of dessert that disappears fast at a Fourth of July party.
Think classic Jell-O shots, but without the booze. With bright red, white, and blue layers topped with whipped cream and sprinkles, they’re as fun to look at as they are to eat.
Make them the night before, stash them in the fridge, and boom—instant party magic.
Why You’ll Love These Jell-O Cups
Kid-approved and perfect for any age
Make-ahead friendly – prep them the day before your party
No alcohol, just sweet, fruity goodness
Picture-perfect for your patriotic party spread
A fun twist on traditional Jell-O shots that works for all ages
How to Make Patriotic Jello Cups (aka Non-Alcoholic Jello Shots)
Ingredients for Red, White, and Blue Jell-O Cups
Blue Layer (Bottom):
- 1 box of blue Jell-O (like berry blue)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
White Layer (Middle):
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup cold water (to bloom the gelatin)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
Red Layer (Top):
- 1 box of red Jell-O (like cherry or strawberry)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
Garnish:
- Whipped cream
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Supplies You’ll Need to Make Patriotic Jello Shots
1 oz plastic shot glasses (makes 40-50)
Baking sheet or tray (to move cups easily)
Measuring cups
Whisk
Squeeze bottle or small ladle (optional, for cleaner pouring)
Step by Step instructions
1. Blue Layer
Dissolve the blue Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water.
Stir in 1 cup of cold water.
Pour into shot glasses, filling about 1/3 of the way.
Refrigerate until set, about 2-3 hours.
2. White Layer
Sprinkle 2 packets of gelatin over ½ cup cold water. Let bloom for 5 minutes.
Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved.
Stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Let cool to room temperature.
Once blue layer is firm, gently pour the white mixture on top. Fill another 1/3.
Chill again for 2-3 hours.
3. Red Layer
Dissolve the red Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water.
Stir in 1 cup cold water.
Once white layer is set, pour red layer on top.
Refrigerate until completely set, at least 2 hours or overnight.
4. Garnish
Right before serving, add a small dollop of whipped cream.
Top with patriotic sprinkles for that final festive touch.
Tips for the Best Layered Jell-O Shots
Make sure each layer is fully set before adding the next.
Let the white layer cool to room temp before pouring so it doesn’t melt the blue.
Use a tray to move the cups in and out of the fridge easily.
Want cleaner layers? Use a small spoon or squeeze bottle to pour.
If you’ve made Jell-O shots before, you’ll love how these non-alcoholic versions turn out just as beautiful and even more versatile.
Easy Variations on Patriotic Jell-O Cups
Trifle Style: Make one big layered dessert instead of individual cups.
Larger Cups: Use 2 oz cups and double the recipe.
Flavor Switch: Try raspberry for the red and coconut milk gelatin for the white!
You can even repurpose this technique for other holidays by switching the Jell-O shot colors and toppings.
What to Serve with Patriotic Jell-O Shots
Hosting a red, white, and blue bash? These Jell-O cups go great with:
- Firecracker Pretzel Rods
- Independence Rice Krispie Treats
- Patriotic Popcorn
- Red, White & Blue Chocolate Bark
Try These Patriotic Jell-O Shots for Kids
These non-alcoholic Patriotic Jell-O Cups (a family-friendly take on classic Jell-O shots) are the perfect make-ahead treat to wow your guests this Fourth of July.
Whether you’re throwing a backyard BBQ, heading to a potluck, or just looking for something festive and fun to serve the kids, this easy red, white, and blue dessert checks all the boxes.
Pin it now, and let your fridge do the rest!