You should never throw a party for adults without serving up Jello shots. What good is a party without jiggly, joyful booze getting passed around? There’s something about Jello that makes you feel like a kid again, while the alcohol – well, the alcohol helps with the struggles of being an adult. Still, as great as Jello shots are, you could find yourself in a sticky situation if you made them too soon or have too many to get rid of. How long are Jello shots good for?
We have the answer.
Table of Contents
- What’s a Jello Shot?
- How Long Does it Take For Jello Shots to Set?
- How Long Are Jello Shots Good For?
- How Far in Advance Can I Make Jello Shots?
- Can You Freeze Jello Shots?
- The Best Way to Store Jello Shots
- Do Jello Shots Go Bad?
- What Happens If You Eat Expired Jello Shots?
- Time to Bring Out The Jello Shots
What’s a Jello Shot?
First off, you won’t be able to use the wisdom in this article to your advantage unless you know about Jello shots.
A Jello shot is what it sounds like it is: a small portion of flavored gelatin, water, and alcohol (tequila, vodka, rum, Fireball, or whatever your heart desires). Some Jello shots are just unflavored gelatin and a whole lot of booze, such as Sugar Cookie Jello Shots. Most Jello shots are served in tiny shot glasses or disposable condiment cups.
While Jello shots are associated with college parties, there is a history of the boozy treat going all the way back to 1867!
How Long Does it Take For Jello Shots to Set?
Typically, it only takes a few hours for Jello shots to set and be ready for consumption. After prepping and mixing everything together, Jello shots need about 2-4 hours to set completely.
You might be tempted to throw the Jello in the freezer to accelerate the process, but it is best to leave the Jello in the fridge.
We’ll explain in a moment.
How Long Are Jello Shots Good For?
Most people assume that, because package Jello has seen an absurdly long shelf-life, that Jello shots are the same beast. In a dry, cool place, a package of Jello powder will last for months or years beyond the expiration date. Once opened, the Jello package should be used up within 3 months.
However, when you prepare Jello, you limit just how long it is good for. Be it a cup of Jello dessert or a boozy Jello shot, these items should be consumed sooner than later. How long are Jello shots good for in the fridge, you ask? 7 to 10 days, to be exact. However, even with the alcohol blended in, the flavors of the gelatin are going to deteriorate, until it is almost gone around the 8-9 day mark.
If you want to have a fun party, make sure you are serving up those Jello shots within a few days. Otherwise, the Jello will be flavorless or may even go rancid. That’s especially true for any Jello shots with fruit mixed in. Should you mix fruit or fruit juice into the Jello shot (for example, this Blueberry Champagne Jello shot), you’re going to have to eat those within 3 days.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Jello Shots?
Now that you know that Jello shots remain good for 7-10 days, you’re probably thinking about how far ahead of the party to make the shots. The answer? 3-5 days.
Gelatin is an animal by-product and, therefore, has a shorter shelf life once it’s been prepared, alcohol or no. If you want the shots to be top quality for the party, make sure you’re not waiting too long to serve them. Around 5 days, the flavors are going to be diluted.
Can You Freeze Jello Shots?
No, you shouldn’t freeze Jello shots.
The alcohol in the shot isn’t going to help your Jello set any faster, because alcohol rarely freezes! Secondly, you’re only going to make your Jello shots frosty on the outside and watery on the inside. A top coating of ice will form, leaving the rest of the shot ruined.
Keep your Jello shots in the refrigerator for a maximum of 7-10 days.
The Best Way to Store Jello Shots
If you want to make sure you get the full 10 days before your Jello shots go bad, then you need the correct way to store them.
Here are some tips:
- Keep your refrigerated Jello shots in an airtight container or with tight-lids on each individual shot.
- Keep your Jello shots away from other foods that accelerate spoilage (or that are spoiled already).
- Do not leave your Jello shots out at room temperature for too long, as this could prompt bacterial growth. If you see fuzzy patches on the top of the Jello shot, toss them immediately.
Do Jello Shots Go Bad?
Yes, Jello shots can go bad. Some signs Jello has spoiled include:
- Loss of color
- Texture changes, such as wateriness or hardness
- Weird or foul odor
- Mold formation on the top of the Jello shot
Now, you might be thinking, “Wouldn’t the alcohol make the Jello stay good indefinitely?”
Not necessarily. Despite the alcohol remaining more or less fresh, the gelatin will begin to break down. You might see water breaking through the gelatin and collecting along the sides of the shot glasses or cups. This is another sign your Jello is no longer good and must be thrown away.
What Happens If You Eat Expired Jello Shots?
Eating an expired Jello shot could potentially make you sick, especially if there is a presence of mold in the gelatin. However, assuming the alcohol prevents mold growth, you still should throw away old Jello. It won’t taste all that good, being that it’s watered down and might smell terrible.
You’re not going to get horribly sick from eating an expired Jello shot, but you’re not going to feel amazing after eating one either.
Time to Bring Out The Jello Shots
How long are Jello shots good for? Between 7-10 days, depending on storage and preparation. Regardless of the alcohol content, Jello won’t stay good forever. That means you should prepare Jello shots no later than 3-5 days in advance and consume that as fast as you can. If you’re throwing a party, the “quick” part shouldn’t be a problem!
Have fun. And remember to always consume alcohol responsibly. Just because it’s Jello doesn’t mean you won’t get drunk.
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