When you’re looking to party hard, some good jello shot recipes are a great way to turn ordinary imbibing into a fun, fruity experience. Everyone loves the jiggling, wiggling jello shooters. Learning how to make jello shooters is pretty simple, and I think you’ll agree that these squishy, sweet alcoholic treats will add a whole new layer of fun to your blow-out, bringing adult fun to a childhood classic.

First off, we should stipulate that Jell-O is a brand name, and even though alcohol-laced gelatin is well-known as “jello shooters,” this isn’t an official Jell-O product, and the good people at Jell-O have nothing to do with this. In fact, any brand of prepackaged gelatin will do in jello shot recipes.

The essence of how to make jello shooters is to make a gelatin mix according to the package directions, but to substitute an alcohol of your choice (usually vodka) for the cold water step in preparation of the gelatin mixture. This way there is enough water to keep the gelatin together and enough alcohol to create the desired effect. Any flavor of gelatin will do, though lime gelatin is a frequent favorite since lime is a frequent garnish in cocktails and alcoholic drinks, like the mojito.

After you’ve mastered the basics, you can create fun and exciting variations. Try using different flavors of gelatin and mixing in a flavored liqueur for added tastiness. One good recipe (Maraschino Cherry Jello Shooter) combines cherry gelatin, vodka, cherry liqueur, and whole maraschino cherries for an extra special surprise.

With some mix-and-match fun, you’ll soon have an exciting line of jello shot recipes all your own!