Watermelon Margarita Jello Shots

Watermelon margarita jello shots combine the flavors of sweet watermelon, smooth tequila, and lime in one tasty jello shot recipe.

These watermelon party shots will get the party started deliciously. Perfect for any party anytime, these tequila jello shots won’t last – your friends will make sure of that!

You rim the shot glasses with margarita salt for the perfect addition to these jello shots. For more tequila drinks, make sure to check out my poor man’s margarita or these sweet peach margaritas. 

While these watermelon jello shots are a hit in the summer months, you can serve these up all year round. Great for a party when you are dreaming of a beach day with the summer sun.

Ingredients Needed For Watermelon Margarita Jello Shots 

Watermelon Jello – Any brand will work; you want it to be a regular watermelon jello for this recipe. 
Coarse Salt – The coarse salt offers that authentic margarita vibe as you coat the rim of the shot cups. 
Lime Slices – You will use a lime to garnish the side of each cup. 
Tequila – Reach for any tequila you would like. We used the La Creme de Mexico 1921 Tequila for this jello shot recipe. 
Water – Filtered water works best. 

Condiment Cups—These work great for making jello shots. If you can find them, you can also buy jello shot cups. 

 

How to Make

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Stir in the watermelon jello well. Then, add the tequila.

Ladle or pour the liquid into condiment cups. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until jello is set.

Coat the rim of the Jell-O shots with lime juice & roll in coarse salt. Garnish with a lime slice. 

Variations and Substitutes 

The flavor of Jello: You can use any flavor of jello you like, from strawberry to cherry and everything in between. 

Spicy: Consider adding a jalapeno slice or even using Tajin to rim the shot glasses. 

Mint: Muddle your mint leaves and mix with the jello mixture. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then remove the mint leaves. Then, pour the jello into the shot glasses. It will offer a bit of a minty watermelon flavor. 

Cream: Add 1/4 cup of heavy cream to make this a creamy variety of a jello shot. Mix in with the tequila. 

Tips For Success 

• Before proceeding to the next steps, make sure you stir the jello well in the hot water to fully dissolve it.
• Placing your shot cups on a tray or baking dish is helpful, as it makes it easy to move them from the counter to the fridge. I like to use a rimmed baking sheet.
• Do not add too much extra alcohol to jello shots, as this will cause the jello to not set up properly. 
• Chilling the shots fully before serving will offer the best flavor. You also want to make sure the jello has enough time to set up fully before serving. 

FAQs

How long does it take for jello shots to set?

It can take 2-4 hours for the shots to set up fully in the fridge. I recommend at least 6 hours to overnight to ensure the jello is fully set and chilled. 

Can I use sugar-free Jello for jello shots?

Yes, sugar-free jello can be used. Mix and make it the same way you would regular jello, and the shots will set up the same way. 

What kind of alcohol should I use for jello shots?

Tequila, vodka, rum, whiskey, and more can be used to make jello shots. Vodka and tequila are the most popular types, but any spirit works. 

How long do jello shots last in the fridge?

I recommend eating the jello shots within 5-7 days or so. You will want to ensure they are covered so the jello doesn’t take on other flavors in the fridge. These shots are best to be eaten within 2-3 days of being made.