Margarita Jello Shots Recipe (Made With Tequila)
This Margarita Jello Shots recipe made with Tequila and Margarita mix is a fun take on the cocktail with the same name. Perfect for any adult party!
Jello shots are one of my go-to cocktails for parties. I especially like the recipes that are really easy to make and still taste great, like these Margarita Jello Shots, this Sour Apple Blue Jello Shots recipe or this Berry Blue Malibu Jello Shots recipe.
Margarita Jello Shots
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These Margarita jello shots were one of the of the first good-tasting jello shot recipes I ever tried. (I’m not counting the ones we made in College which had way too much cheap alcohol and tasted terrible!)
This recipe uses Tequila and Margarita mix, and it actually tastes like a Margarita!
Of course, you might have a repeat of my college experience if you use cheap Tequila 🙂 I wouldn’t put any Tequila in a jello shot that you wouldn’t drink in a cocktail.
In fact, this Margarita jello shots recipe is so good that it is still one of my favorites of all time.
My friends always ask for it at parties, and are really disappointed if I don’t make it…so it’s pretty much on the “every party” cocktail list now.
Ingredients
The great thing about these jello shots is that they are so simple to make.
All you need is green a small (3-ounce) box Lime jello, Margarita mix and tequila. Plus some water, of course.
What Size Of Jello Shot Cups Are The Best?
I always make mine in these 2-ounce jello shot cups with lids*.
They’re the perfect size for serving, and the lids prevent any spills in the refrigerator.
How To Make Margarita Jello Shots
To make it easier to transport the jello shots into the fridge, I set the jello shots cups out on a cookie sheet before I pour the jello into them.
This also prevents any jello from spilling on the counter (some of the jello colors cause stains pretty easily!)
To make the jello shots, start by boiling some water.
Mix 1 cup of the boiling water with the lime jello crystals in a bowl.
While not absolutely necessary, using a bowl with a handle and spout* or a large measuring cup definitely makes getting the jello into the shot cups a lot easier later on.
How Much Tequila Do You Put In Jello Shots?
Then add 1/2 cup lime Margarita mix* and 1/2 cup tequila.
I don’t like my jello shots to be too strong so I don’t use a lot of alcohol.
How Do You Make Strong Jello Shots?
However, if you’re looking for jello shots that have more of a kick, you can change the amounts of Margarita mix and tequila.
If you really want strong jello shots, you could even eliminate the Margarita mix altogether and use 1 cup of Tequila (although I think they would lose a lot of the Margarita flavor).
Just make sure that the total for the two of them mixed together comes to 1 cup. (If you add too much liquid, the jello won’t set).
I do this by pouring the Margarita mix and the tequila into a measuring cup and making sure that it measures 1 cup. Then add them to the jello mixture together.
How Long Does It Take Jello Shots To Set In The Fridge?
Pour into the jello shot cups and refrigerate until the jello shots are set, usually 2 to 4 hours.
The time will vary depending on how full you fill the jello shot cups, and how cold your refrigerator is.
I usually wait until they have totally cooled before I put the lids on. Otherwise you will get water condensation on the insides of the jello shot cups. It doesn’t affect the way the jello shots taste, but they look better without the condensation.
How Many Jello Shots Are In A Box Of Jello?
One 3-ounce (small) box of Jello makes about 16 jello shots, depending on how full you fill the jello shot cups.
One 6-ounce (large) box of Jello makes about 32 jello shots. You would need to double the measurements on all of the ingredients for this to work with this recipe.
How Long Do Jello Shots Last?
You can store jello shots for up to a week in the refrigerator (and probably longer), although I think they start to taste stale after a few days.
I usually make them a day or two before my party which is a good balance between getting them ready ahead of time and still having them taste fresh.
How Do You Serve Jello Shots?
I like to serve my jello shots with mini tasting spoons*.
Most of my friends are past the stage of wanting to eat them straight out of the shot glass, and these little spoons are the perfect size for jello shot cups.
Other Jello Shot Recipes You Might Like
- Blue Curacao and Tequila Margarita Jello Shots
- Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots
- Best Jello Shots By Color
Or browse through all of our jello shot recipes for more ideas.
Margarita Jello Shots
Equipment
- kettle or pot (for boiling water)
- mixing bowl with a spout
- measuring cup
- 16 2-oz jello shot cups
- cookie sheet (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 3-oz (small) box Lime Jello
- ½ cup Lime Margarita mix
- ½ cup Tequila
Instructions
- Boil the water.
- While you’re waiting, lay out the jello shot cups on a cookie sheet (for easy transport).
- Mix the Lime Jello crystals with 1 cup of boiling water until the jello sugar has dissolved.
- Add the lime Margarita mix and Tequila. Stir again.
- Pour into jello shot cups.
- Chill until the jello has set, usually 2 to 4 hours.
- Makes about 16 2-ounce jello shots.
Notes
- Using a mixing bowl with a spout will make things easier when it comes to pouring the jello into the shot cups.
- You can adjust the amount of tequila and margarita mix depending on how strong you want your jello shots to be. The only rule is that the combination of the two liquids should come out to 1 cup in total.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you make our Margarita Jello Shots Recipe? Rate it in the Comments section below.
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This post was originally published on December 12, 2019 but was updated with new content on March 8, 2023.