Make Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots
Tequila sunrise Jell-O shots combine grenadine, orange juice, tequila and gelatin. These shots have a lovely layered look that gives them added elegance.
Contents
Ingredients
Servings: 24 to 30
Grenadine layer
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) grenadine
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 1 envelope gelatin (Jell-O, etc.)
Orange Layer
- 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed and strained
- 3 envelopes gelatin (Jell-O, etc.)
- 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) gold tequila
Steps
Prepare the grenadine layer
If you want a gradient effect instead of two distinct layers in your tequila sunrise shot, then chill the grenadine layer for just 10 minutes before adding the orange layer. The orange layer will sink slowly to the bottom, forming a gradient effect instead of a layered effect.
- Combine the grenadine and water in a small saucepan.
- Sprinkle the grenadine and water with the gelatin, allowing it to soak for 2 minutes.
- Heat the gelatin over low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, for 5 minutes. Avoid letting the gelatin mixture boil.
- Pour the grenadine gelatin mixture into a 9” (23cm) round pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Chill the pan in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Prepare the orange layer
If you don’t have freshly squeezed orange juice, then you can use packaged orange juice. Just make sure that the juice has a good flavor. If it has gone dull, then you can liven it up by stirring in some orange juice concentrate.
- Pour the orange juice into a medium saucepan and sprinkle it with gelatin. Let the gelatin soak for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Cook and stir the gelatin over low heat for 5 minutes until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Remove the gelatin from the heat and stir in the tequila.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Ladle the orange layer over the grenadine layer that has been chilling in the refrigerator. Return the round pan to the refrigerator.
- Chill the gelatin for 4 hours or overnight until the mixture is fully set.
Serve the Jell-O shots
If you don’t have a round pan, then you can make these shots in a 9” (23cm) square pan and cut the shots into squares before serving.
- Remove the round pan from the refrigerator.
- Invert the pan over a cutting board.
- If the gelatin is adhering to the sides, use an offset spatula to separate the gelatin from the sides of the round pan.
- Cut the gelatin into round shots using a 1-1/2” (4cm) cookie cutter.
- Place the shots on a chilled tray for serving.
- Finished.
Tips
- For a quick and simple version of this recipe, mix 3 ounces (85g) of orange gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of tequila. Pour into plastic shot glasses and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
Warnings
- Tequila shots tend to have a strong fruity flavor and very little alcohol flavor. You can easily eat too many of these before you realize that you’ve over-indulged, so pace yourself appropriately.
Things You'll Need
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- 9” (23cm) round pan
- Medium saucepan
- Ladle
- Offset spatula (if needed)
- 1-1/2” (4cm) cookie cutter
- Tray for serving
Sources and Citations
- Palm, Michelle. The Jelly Shot Test Kitchen. Running Press, 2011 – research source
- http://www.drinksmixer.com/drinkuv16670.html – research source