Looking for something fun and festive for your New Year’s Eve celebration? Then give these French 75 Jello shots a try! It’s all the flavors of the classic cocktail – gin, champagne, lemon, and a hint of sweetness, in a grab and enjoy jiggly party format!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They’re Classic With A Twist: All the elegance of a French 75 – gin, citrus, and bubbles, transformed into a fun, party-friendly bite!
- Perfect For Celebrations: With champagne set right in, these shots are made for New Year’s, weddings, bridal showers, and brunch parties
- Light And Refreshing: Bright lemon flavor keeps them crisp and refreshing instead of heavy or overly sweet
- Easy To Make Ahead: Jello shots can be prepped hours (or even a day) in advance, making hosting stress-free!
- Elegant But Playful: They look fancy enough for a cocktail party but are still fun enough to break the ice
- Customizable: Adjust the gin level (or swap it for a different liquor), try prosecco instead of champagne, or dress them up with sugared lemon or gold sprinkles!
- Small But Mighty: Bite-sized servings mean guests can enjoy one (or a few) without committing to a full cocktail
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Ingredients List
- 3-ounce box lemon Jello
- ¼ cup gin
- 1 ½ cups champagne or prosecco, divided
- ¼ cup water
- Gold sprinkles (optional)
- 14 2-ounce Jello shot cups with lids
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of lemon Jello, you can also use two ¼-ounce envelopes of unflavored gelatin (like Knox) and add ¼ cup fresh lemon juice and ¼ cup simple syrup for taste (follow package directions to bloom the gelatin before heating the base). I just find lemon Jello much more convenient!
- Champagne is usually drier (less sweet) than prosecco, so you can swap in what you prefer
- Don’t like gin? Swap in tequila for a Mexican 75, or vodka for a French 76 variation!
- I use gold, white, and black sprinkles for New Year’s Eve, but you can customize your decorative toppers for any occasion (a lemon zest garnish is another great choice)!
Step By Step Instructions
- Add the water and half the champagne (¾ cup) to a microwave safe bowl or similar, and heat until boiling. I use a large measuring cup, then heat on high for about 3 minutes in my 1000W microwave (it needs to get to 212°F). You could also do this in a saucepan on your stovetop if you prefer. Once boiling, add in the lemon Jello and stir until completely dissolved
- Pour in the gin and the remaining ¾ cup of champagne and stir to combine. Let it sit for a minute or two so the bubbles from the champagne go down and the liquid is smooth again
- Ladle or pour evenly into your Jello shot cups (I put a cookie sheet underneath to catch drips and make transfer easier). Tip: if you used a large measuring cup to heat your liquid, you can use the spout on it to pour easier! Leave a little room at the top so the lids can fit on without touching the Jello mixture, as that will leave an indent
- Cover the cups (use plastic wrap if you cups don’t have lids for some reason) and transfer to the fridge until set (at least 2 hours, though I usually do 4 to be safe – overnight is great too)
- Garnish with sprinkles or other toppings as desired, and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Savory Bites
- Gougeres Or Cheese Puffs: Light, airy, and slightly rich, they balance the citrusy brightness of the jello shots without overpowering them
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon: Sweet and salty flavors echo the lemon-champagne combo while keeping things elegant and refreshing
- Mini Quiches Or Egg Bites: A brunch-friendly pairing that grounds the sparkle with something savory and satisfying! Try my Air Fryer Frozen Mini Quiche for a quick option!
- Smoked Salmon Crostini: The richness of salmon pairs beautifully with the crisp, bubbly notes of a French 75
Sweet Treats
- Lemon Bars Or Lemon Shortbread: Lean into the citrus theme for a cohesive, bright flavor profile
- Vanilla Or Almond Cookies: Simple, buttery cookies soften the acidity and let the champagne notes shine
- White Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: Creamy sweetness contrasts nicely with the sharp lemon and gin flavors!
Party Favorites
- Fresh Fruit Platters: Berries, grapes, and citrus slices keep things light and refreshing; perfect for daytime events
- Scones Or Tea Cakes: A subtle sweetness that complements the jello shots without competing with them. My Cranberry Orange Scones pair perfectly with the citrus notes!
- Deviled Eggs: A surprisingly great match, as their creamy texture balances the tart, bubbly bite. Try my Air Fryer Deviled Eggs!
Holiday & Celebration Pairings
- Charcuterie Boards: Soft cheeses, mild crackers, and fresh fruit work best to avoid overpowering the delicate flavors
- Champagne Cupcakes Or Cake Pops: A fun way to double down on the celebratory champagne vibe
- Gold-Sprinkled Desserts: Not a flavor pairing, but visually perfect for New Year’s, weddings, or fancy soirées!
Recipe FAQs
Does Gin Work In Jello Shots?
Yes, gin works very well in jello shots. Its botanical notes pair especially nicely with citrus flavors like lemon, which makes it a natural fit for French 75–style jello shots.
Is A French 75 Made With Champagne Or Prosecco?
Traditionally, a French 75 is made with Champagne. However, Prosecco (or another dry sparkling wine) is a perfectly acceptable substitute, especially for casual parties or jello shots.
Can I Use Flavored Gin?
Yes, flavored gin works great and can add a fun twist. Citrus-forward, lightly floral, or even strawberry gins complement the lemon and bubbly flavors best without overpowering the shot.
Tips For the Best French 75 Jello Shots
- While you could use as few as 12 portion cups to make this recipe, I opt for 14 so that I can leave extra space at the top. If you overfill them, the lids leave imprints, and while they still taste fine, they look funny! You could also pour the Jello into shaped molds of choice for jiggly bites, or cut squares from a pan like I do with my Champagne Jello Shots!
- You can serve these with tiny spoons if you want, or guests can just pop them straight into their mouth – whatever you like better!
- Sprinkle on garnishes just before serving as colored edible elements will eventually bleed onto the Jello after they sit a while
Storage and Serving
- Best Within 3 Days: For the best texture and flavor, enjoy within 2–3 days of making them
- Avoid Freezing: Freezing will ruin the texture and cause the jello to weep once thawed
- Serve Well-Chilled: Keep jello shots in the refrigerator until just before serving
- Perfect Party Timing: Pull them out in small batches so the rest stay cold and firm in the fridge!
Final Thoughts
These French 75 Jello shots are the perfect fun party shot that’s great for New Year’s Eve thanks to the bubbly, but other celebratory occasions as well! You can customize them by using different toppings, or even different flavors of Jello and liquor.
So if you’re looking to change up the toast but still enjoy the flavors of champagne in an edible and fun form, try these fun Jello shots for your next celebration!
For a wide variety of options, check out all my New Year’s Cocktails for more inspiration!
French 75 Jello Shots (With Gin & Champagne)
Servings: 14
These French 75 Jello shots capture the classic cocktail in a jiggly, party format! Featuring gin, champagne, citrus, and a hint of sweet, they’re perfect for New Year’s and other celebrations!
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl (or large measuring cup)
- Spatula (or spoon, for stirring)
Ingredients
- 3 ounce box lemon Jello
- ¼ cup gin
- 1 ½ cups champagne or prosecco (divided)
- ¼ cup water
- Gold sprinkles (or similar; optional)
Instructions
- Add the water and half the champagne (¾ cup) to a microwave safe bowl or similar, and heat until boiling. I use a large measuring cup, then heat on high for about 3 minutes in my 1000W microwave (it needs to get to 212°F). You could also do this in a saucepan on your stovetop if you prefer. Once boiling, add in the lemon Jello and stir until completely dissolved1 ½ cups champagne or prosecco, ¼ cup water, 3 ounce box lemon Jello
- Pour in the gin and the remaining ¾ cup of champagne and stir to combine. Let it sit for a minute or two so the bubbles from the champagne go down and the liquid is smooth again¼ cup gin, 1 ½ cups champagne or prosecco
- Ladle or pour evenly into your Jello shot cups (I put a cookie sheet underneath to catch drips and make transfer easier). Tip: if you used a large measuring cup to heat your liquid, you can use the spout on it to pour easier! Leave a little room at the top so the lids can fit on without touching the Jello mixture, as that will leave an indent
- Cover the cups (use plastic wrap if you cups don’t have lids for some reason) and transfer to the fridge until set (at least 2 hours, though I usually do 4 to be safe – overnight is great too)
- Garnish with sprinkles or other toppings as desired, and enjoy!Gold sprinkles
Notes
- You can use regular or sugar-free lemon Jello
- Champagne is usually drier (less sweet) than prosecco, so you can swap in what you prefer!
- Don’t like gin? Substitute tequila for a Mexican 75, or vodka for a French 76 variation!
- I use gold, white, and black sprinkles for New Year’s Eve, but you can customize your edible decorative toppers for any occasion
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 36g | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 0.3g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 5.8g | Calcium: 2.3mg | Iron: 0.1mg
