These eyeball Jello shots are a fun, boozy party treat perfect for the adults! They’re simple to make, and great for your Halloween party since they can easily be made in advance. Customize with different Jello flavors and alcohol if you like, but I use strawberry with cherry flavored vodka!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect For Halloween. The creepy eyeball design makes them a natural fit for spooky season parties!
- Fun And Creepy. They look eerie enough to get attention while still being a fun party treat
- Easy To Make. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make these doable for any host
- Great Party Conversation Starter. Guests won’t be able to resist checking out these spooky little shots
- Colorful And Eye-Catching. Bright Jello colors and creative details make a fun presentation.
- Make-Ahead Friendly. Prepare them in advance so they’re ready when your guests arrive!
- Easy To Customize. Switch up the Jello flavors, colors, or eyeball decorations to create your own eyeball Jell-O shots!
- Perfect For Halloween Tables. Add them to a dessert table or Halloween party spread for an extra creepy touch
- Fun Twist On Classic Jello Shots. Take traditional Jello shots and turn them into a spooky Halloween treat!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Ingredients List
- 3 oz box strawberry Jello (or another red color)
- ½ cup vodka (I use cherry flavored)
- 1 ½ cups water, divided
- 14 Jello shot cups (or similar plastic shot glasses)
- 14 gummy eyeball candy
- Red decorating gel or food coloring (optional; see notes)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Any red Jello (cherry jello, strawberry jello, or raspberry jello) works well. You could also use a green Jello for “monster” eyes!
- I like a berry-flavored vodka (strawberry, cherry, mixed berry) for these shots, but plain is fine too
- If you want to add veins to your gummy eyeballs, you can use red decorating gel or gel food coloring and a toothpick to apply it to each candy. Some brands of eyeballs already have it, so it’s up to you and your preference and desired look (I do not draw on any personally)
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 into the boiling water until completely dissolved. Tip: use a large microwave safe measuring cup and then you can heat, mix, and pour easily all in one container!
- Mix in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water to the hot water Jello mixture, stirring until it’s well combined
- Pour the mixture evenly into your Jello shot cups. Don’t fill them to the brim; leave some room so the lids won’t make imprints in the top of the Jello. 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!
- Cover and transfer to the refrigerator, and allow the Jello to fully set (at least 4 hours, but overnight is fine too)
- Top each shot with a gummy eyeball just before serving. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Eyeball Jello shots are a fun, spooky addition to a Halloween party spread. Their sweet, fruity flavor pairs especially well with salty appetizers, savory party foods, and a few creepy-themed snacks.
Salty Snacks
- Soft Pretzels: The salty flavor provides a great contrast to sweet Jello shots
- Popcorn: An easy party snack that gives guests something crunchy between drinks
- Chips And Dip: Creamy or savory dips balance the sweetness of the shots
- Spiced Nuts: Salty, crunchy, and easy to keep on a party table
Savory Party Foods
- Chicken Wings: Spicy or savory wings are a great counterpoint to fruity Jello shots. Hot Honey Wings are my favorite!
- Mummy Pigs In A Blanket: A fun Halloween-themed bite that fits right in with the spooky presentation.
- Mini Meatballs: Hearty and savory enough to balance the sweeter party treats.
- Jalapeño Poppers: Cheesy, creamy, and spicy flavors add some welcome contrast. Try Mummy Jalapeno Poppers for a themed option!
- Pizza Bites: An easy crowd-pleaser for a casual Halloween gathering!
Halloween Appetizers
- Halloween Charcuterie Board: Cheeses, meats, crackers, fruit, and other savory bites give guests plenty of variety
- Spooky Deviled Eggs: A creamy, savory appetizer that keeps the Halloween theme going!
- Cheese Ball: Serve it with crackers for an easy party centerpiece
- Stuffed Mushrooms: A savory option that works especially well for a more substantial Halloween spread
Halloween Sweets
- Chocolate-Covered Pretzels: The salty-sweet combination works better with Jello shots than another very sugary dessert
- Halloween Rice Krispie Treats: A festive, chewy treat that adds some fun without competing with the shots.
- Dark Chocolate Brownies: Rich chocolate provides some contrast to fruity Jello flavors
- Caramel Apples: A classic fall treat that fits naturally into a Halloween party. Try my Caramel Apple Broomsticks!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make Homemade Eyeballs?
Yes! You can make edible eyeballs at home using gelatin and small round silicone molds. Prepare a small amount of white gelatin for the eyeball, then use colored gelatin or melted candy melts to create the iris and a tiny piece of dark candy or chocolate for the pupil.
Layer the colors in the mold, allowing each layer to partially set before adding the next so they stay defined. Once completely chilled and firm, pop the homemade eyeballs out of the molds and add them to your Jello shots.
Can I Make These Without Alcohol?
Absolutely. Replace the alcohol with an equal amount of cold water, juice, or another nonalcoholic mixer so they’re kid friendly. You can also use flavored soda or coconut water to add extra flavor.
What Other Liquors Are Good In These?
Vodka is a classic choice, but there are plenty of fun options. Malibu rum is especially good if you want a tropical twist, while white rum, coconut rum, or flavored vodka can also complement fruity Jello flavors.
For a sweeter Halloween party shot, try a flavored liqueur that matches the Jello you’re using.
Tips For the Best Eyeball Jello Shots
- For stronger shots, you can use ¾ cup vodka and ¼ cup cold water. I don’t recommend going higher than that proportionally, as the shots may not set
- Any bubbles that appear in the cups after pouring tend to set that way. Use a toothpick to pop them before transferring the cups to the fridge if you want a smooth top. The eyeballs can cover some imperfections, but around the edges of the cup are visible!
Storage and Serving
Storage Tips
- Keep the Jello shots covered (to avoid drying out or picking up fridge smells) and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve them
- Make Ahead: Prepare the shots up to 2-3 days in advance for easier party planning
- Store toppings separately and add just before serving. Candies otherwise will melt and bleed into the shots
- Don’t Freeze: Freezing can change the texture of the gelatin and make the shots watery or soft once thawed
Serving Tips
- Jello shots are best served chilled and straight from the refrigerator (or place on a serving tray over ice to keep them cold at a longer party)
- Arrange the shots on a Halloween-themed platter or tray for an easy spooky display!
- Scatter Halloween sprinkles, candy eyeballs, gummy worms, plastic spiders, or other spooky candies around the tray for a fun presentation
- Leave enough space between the cups so guests can easily pick them up without disturbing the other shots. You can also provide small spoons if desired!
More Halloween Jello Shots
- Hocus Pocus Jello Shots
- Witches Brew Jello Shots
Final Thoughts
These eyeball Jello shots are one of my favorite easy recipes for Halloween! They take just minutes to assemble, thanks to the use of creepy gummy eyeball candies, and are great for making ahead, so they’re perfect for Halloween parties.
I like to make them with cherry or another fruit-flavored vodka to pair with the red berry flavor of Jello you need to make them extra eerie! Of course, you can swap that up to rum, or even make them non-alcoholic for the kids and non-drinkers of the group.
Katie’s tip
For more great options to complete your spooktacular party table, check out all of my Halloween Jello Shots for creepy, spooky, and delicious inspiration!
Eyeball Jello Shots (With Vodka)
Servings: 14
These eyeball Jello shots are simple, fruity, and perfect for your Halloween party! They can be made with plain or flavored vodka, or even substitute rum or make them nonalcoholic.
Equipment
- Microwave (or kettle)
- Microwave safe bowl (or large microwave safe measuring cup)
- Spatula (or whisk/spoon for stirring)
- 14 2-ounce plastic cups with lids (or similar)
Ingredients
- 3 ounce box strawberry Jello (or another red color)
- ½ cup vodka (I use cherry flavored)
- 1 ½ cups water (divided)
- 14 gummy eyeball candies
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 or heat on the stovetop if preferred. Then, stir or whisk the packet of Jello powder into the boiling water until completely dissolved.1 ½ cups water, 3 ounce box strawberry Jello
- Mix in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup cold water to the hot water Jello mixture, stirring until it’s well combined½ cup vodka, 1 ½ cups water
- Pour the mixture evenly into your Jello shot cups. Don’t fill them to the brim; leave some room so the lids won’t make imprints in the top of the Jello. 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!
- Cover and transfer to the refrigerator, and allow the Jello to fully set (at least 4 hours, but overnight is fine too)
- Top each shot with a gummy eyeball just before serving. Enjoy!14 gummy eyeball candies
Use a large microwave safe measuring cup and then you can heat, mix, and pour easily all in one container!
Notes
- Any red Jello (cherry, strawberry, or raspberry) works well. You could also use a green Jello for “monster” eyes!
- I like a berry-flavored vodka (strawberry, cherry, mixed berry) for these shots, but plain is fine too. You can also substitute white or flavored rum
- Setting time can vary by humidity, fridge temperature, and how high you stack the cups. Make sure they’re firm before you set the eyeballs on top or they’ll sink
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 17g | Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.9g | Sodium: 23mg | Sugar: 7g
