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These lemon drop jello shots are beyond amazing! Delightfully sweet, not-too-tart, and perfectly potent they’re made with real lemon juice, gelatin, vodka, and a bit of sugar. Pour the jello into lemon rinds and slice into wedges for a fun serving option!
My husband has declared these the best jello shots I’ve ever made! Every time I’ve made them! That’s saying something considering I’m a BIG fan of jello shots and love making them regularly. I mean, how could I not combine my love for jello recipes and a great cocktail?!
Make them yourself and see how popular they are! In fact, the last time I made them and took them to a party they were gone within minutes!
Here’s what you’ll need to make them
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is great, especially for serving in the lemon rinds, but you can use bottled in a pinch. I won’t judge!
- Unflavored Gelatin – Just like in my rosé jello shots, we’re using plain gelatin to get our shots to set.
- Granulated Sugar – A lemon drop martini is typically made with simple syrup, so that’s what we’ll make for the shots, too.
- Vodka – I like to use a citron flavored vodka for even more lemon flavor, but plain is just fine.
- Orange Liqueur – Such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau, whatever you have on hand.
Making Lemon Drop Jello Shots
This is just a brief overview, find detailed instructions in the recipe card below!
Using Whole Lemons for Jello Shots
I like to use the rinds of the lemon for the jello shots. You’re not using those little plastic cups and it’s a cute way to serve them. That’s called a win, win!
The most important thing for using the citrus rinds to hold the jello is to make sure you get out all the flesh of the fruit. Use a very sharp knife to cut around the edge and then pry out the flesh segments with your fingers. I explain this in greater detail in the video below!
Of course, you can always just pour the jello mixture into a prepared pan and slice to serve. That’s what I do for my champagne jello shots and they’re always a hit too!
I think it’s because people just love a jello shot!
Watch the recipe video!
Lemon Drop Jello Shots (Using Real Lemons)
Equipment
- Measuring Cup
- Small Saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 3 – 4 lemons)
- 2 packages unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup vodka
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
Instructions
- Cut the lemons in half lengthwise and run a sharp paring knife around the edge of the fruit's flesh and pith, separating them. Remove the segments of the lemon but pushing thumbs into the space created by cutting the fruit and kind of “peeling” the fruit away from the rind. (See detailed example in the video!)
- When all the fruit has been removed from the lemons, press through a fine mesh sieve to juice. You’ll want ½ cup of juice when all is said and done. Discard the pulp.
- Set the empty lemon rind “cups” in the sections of a muffin pan, making sure they are stable and won’t tip. Set aside.
- Making sure the ½ cup fresh lemon juice is in a large measuring cup (4 cups or more) sprinkle 2 packages of unflavored gelatin over the top. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow gelatin to “bloom.”
- While the gelatin blooms, combine ½ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Set over medium-high heat and cook until sugar has dissolved into water to create a simple syrup.
- Pour the hot simple syrup over the bloomed gelatin and stir until gelatin is dissolved, about two or three minutes.
- Stir in ¾ cup vodka and ¼ cup orange liqueur.
- Pour the jello mixture into the lemon rinds (it may not all fit! Pour excess into a lightly greased baking pan or jello shot cups).
- Refrigerate the lemon drop shots for at least 4 hours, or overnight. To serve, slice the lemons into wedges, dipping in granulated sugar if desired.
- Enjoy responsibly.
- If making the jello shots in a pan, cut the shots into small squares to serve and enjoy!
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