Hosting an adult Halloween party this year? These black Jello shots are the perfect treat! They’re easy to make in advance, served in single serving cups, and super customizable too. I make mine with vodka and black cherry Jello, but you can get creative!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Spooky Vibe: Their deep, mysterious color instantly sets the tone for Halloween or any gothic or dark-themed party. They stand out on the table and spark conversation, plus they pair perfectly with other Black Cocktails to set the mood
- Customizable Flavors: You can create black Jello shots with flavors ranging from sweet and fruity to dark and decadent, like black cherry, grape, or blackberry (though you can use others as well)
- Crowd-Pleasing Size: Bite-sized, portable, and easy to serve, they’re ideal for mingling at parties without needing plates or utensils! Though, I usually do offer small spoons for guests who need them
- Versatile Presentation: Black Jello shots pair beautifully with creepy garnishes like chocolate skulls, gummy spiders, edible glitter, or Halloween sprinkles for a fun and dramatic finish
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Ingredients List
- 3 ounce box black cherry Jello (or similar; see notes)
- ¼ tsp black gel food coloring
- ½ cup vodka (plain or a flavor to match your Jello – I used Pinnacle cherry vodka)
- 1 ½ cups water, divided
- 12 Jello shot cups
- Decorations for the top as desired
*double all ingredients for a 6-ounce box of Jello
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Honestly, since you’ll need food coloring no matter what, you can use any flavor Jello you want. Black cherry is pretty dark on its own, which is why I chose it since you don’t need much extra color, but any flavor works (you may need to tweak the amount of coloring needed though)
- Plain vodka is fine, or you can pick a flavor that matches the Jello. Halloween inspired flavors include blackberry, orange, or grape Jello. You can also substitute rum (coconut rum like Malibu is great here), schnapps, or a Blanco tequila for these shots!
- For the top, I made some white chocolate skulls by adding melted white chocolate chips to a skull mold until they set. Then, I added in black icing eyes to make them extra spooky! Bonus: you can use the same mold to make Skull Caprese Salad and Skull Milk Tea for a Halloween party appetizer!
Step By Step Instructions
- Boil 1 cup of water. I use a 1000W microwave and it takes about 2 minutes (but it can vary by wattage and bowl size). You could also use a kettle if preferred. Then, stir or whisk the packet of Jello powder and black food coloring into the boiling water until completely dissolved and the hue is as desired
- Mix in ½ cup of vodka and ½ cup of cold water, stirring until it’s well combined
- Pour the black Jello mixture evenly into your Jello shot cups. I set them on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips, and you can also use this to transfer in and out of the fridge easily
- Transfer to the refrigerator, and allow the Jello to fully set (at least 4 hours, but overnight is fine too)
- Add a chocolate skull or other edible Halloween decorations as desired and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Savory Snacks
- Charcuterie Board with Dark Accents – Include black grapes, aged cheddar, salami, and black olives for a gothic party spread!
- Spicy Jalapeño Poppers – The heat contrasts nicely with the sweet, fruity flavor of the shots. Try my Mummy Jalapeno Poppers to keep with the Halloween theme!
- Mini Meatballs in Smoky BBQ Sauce – Rich, savory flavors balance the sweetness
Sweet Treats
- Dark Chocolate Truffles – The bitter notes pair beautifully with black cherry or blackberry Jello shots in particular
- Black Velvet Cupcakes – Deep cocoa flavor and cream cheese frosting mirror the dramatic presentation
- Licorice Twists or Black Candy Sticks – Play up the black color theme!
Themed Drinks
- Witches’ Brew Punch – A green or purple punch for a colorful contrast! Try my Drunk Witch Cocktail for a boozy purple option!
- Espresso Martinis – For guests who want something bold and bittersweet alongside the shots. My Raspberry Martini pairs well!
- Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail – Non-alcoholic option with tart, fizzy refreshment
Recipe FAQs
What Flavor Is Black Jello?
Black Jello is most often flavored as black cherry, blackberry, or grape, depending on the brand and variety you find (though you’ll still need to add coloring). Each has a deep, rich, fruity taste that pairs well with vodka, rum, or even spiced liqueurs for a Halloween twist.
Can I Use A Different Flavor Of Jello?
Absolutely! If you want to match a different theme or personal taste, you can use any Jello flavor you like, like lime Jello for green, orange for a pumpkin-inspired look, or raspberry for a different red option. Just keep the same basic ratios for the recipe.
Where Can I Find 2 Ounce Jello Cups?
You can find 2-ounce portion cups with lids online (Amazon, Walmart, and restaurant supply stores) or in most large grocery stores in the paper goods aisle. They’re often labeled as “soufflé cups” or “condiment cups.” I get mine at my local Walmart.
How To Make Jello Shots Set Faster
Place the filled cups in the coldest part of your refrigerator and avoid stacking them until they’re partially set. For an extra speed boost, you can pop them into the freezer for about 20–30 minutes before transferring them back to the fridge; just be careful not to freeze them solid.
Tips For the Best Black Jello Shots
- If you get bubbles or a film on top of your Jello before adding the cold ingredients, it may not be fully dissolved. You can stir more, or heat a little extra if needed to get them to dissipate. At worst case, you get some bubbles on the edges (they still taste great) – just use a complimentary color Jello for Halloween like purple, green or orange and no one will know it wasn’t intentional!
- For stronger shots, you can use ¾ cup vodka and ¼ cup cold water. I don’t recommend going higher than that, as the shots may not set
- Use a microwave safe large measuring cup and then you can heat the water and mix all in the same vessel!
Storage and Serving
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate Until Serving – Keep Jello shots covered with lids or plastic wrap in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve; they’ll stay fresh for up to a week
- Avoid Freezing – Freezing can alter the texture, making the shots icy and grainy instead of smooth and jiggly
- Layer for Transport – If you’re taking them to a party, make sure to add the lids on, then stack cups in a container or box, filling in any open space to prevent tipping
Serving Tips
- Chill Before Presentation – Serve them straight from the fridge or in a small bucket filled with ice so they keep their shape and have that refreshing cold bite!
- Add Garnishes – Top with whipped cream and Halloween sprinkles, edible glitter, or a candy garnish like a gummy spider for a festive touch. A chocolate skull, or even half a maraschino cherry (like a heart) are other great options!
- Make a Serving Display – Arrange them on a tiered stand, in a black cauldron, or on a platter lined with crushed ice for a party-ready presentation
More Halloween Jello Shots
- Candy Corn Jello Shots
- Eyeball Jello Shots
- Hocus Pocus Jello Shots
Final Thoughts
These spooky black Jello shots are perfect for your next Halloween party, especially when topped with some festive edible decorations to reinforce the creepy theme.
Of course, you can also serve them for a gothic theme, at black and white or masquerade parties, for New Year’s when dusted with gold or silver edible glitter, movie night, graduation parties, or tailgating (especially if it fits your team’s colors)!
The berry flavor is always a crowd pleaser, and I love that you can make them in advance for low stress entertaining. They’re already in perfect single serving portions! To make a fun variety of shots for your adult guests, check out all of my Halloween Jello Shots for more ideas!
Black Jello Shots (With Vodka)
Servings: 12
These black Jello shots are perfect for Halloween, movie night, and more! With a fruity flavor and vodka base, they’re a crowd pleasing adult treat that’s great for parties.
Equipment
- Microwave (or kettle)
- Microwave safe bowl (or large microwave safe measuring cup)
- Spatula (or whisk/spoon – the coloring does stain, so use something non-porous)
Ingredients
- 3 ounce box black cherry Jello (or similar; see notes)
- ¼ tsp black gel food coloring
- ½ cup vodka (plain or flavored to match your Jello)
- 1 ½ cups water (divided)
- Decorations for the top as desired
Instructions
- Boil 1 cup of water. I use a 1000W microwave and it takes about 2 minutes (but it can vary by wattage and bowl size). You could also use a kettle if preferred. Then, stir or whisk the packet of Jello powder and black food coloring into the boiling water until completely dissolved and the hue is as desired3 ounce box black cherry Jello, 1 ½ cups water, ¼ tsp black gel food coloring
- Mix in ½ cup of vodka and ½ cup of cold water, stirring until it’s well combined½ cup vodka, 1 ½ cups water
- Pour the black Jello mixture evenly into your Jello shot cups. Optional: I set them on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips, and you can also use this to transfer in and out of the fridge easily
- Transfer to the refrigerator, and allow the Jello to fully set (usually at least 4 hours, but overnight is fine too)
- Add a chocolate skull or other edible Halloween decorations as desired and enjoy!Decorations for the top as desired
Notes
- Any flavor Jello is fine. Dark colors (black cherry, grape, or raspberry) require less coloring to tint black
- I use cherry vodka to match the cherry Jello. However, plain vodka is fine, or you can pick another flavor. Substitute rum (light or coconut), schnapps, or a Blanco tequila if preferred
- For the top, I made some white chocolate skulls by melting 1 cup white chocolate chips (1 min in the microwave, then stir) then add to a skull mold until they set. Pipe black icing eyes to make them extra spooky! Whipped cream and Halloween sprinkles are another good choice, or customize for your occasion
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any decorations or toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 17g | Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 0.6g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 0.2mg | Sugar: 6.1g
