There are plenty of creamy jello shots recipes to choose from. But these cherries and cream layered jello shots for Valentine’s Day are especially perfect! Whether you want to make layered rum jello shots for your beloved or for a Galentine’s party, these Valentine’s shots made with cherry rum and vanilla rum are sure to go down well.
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Cherry rum and jello make up the red layers while vanilla rum, jello and evaporated milk make up the pink ones. Maraschino cherries make a pretty garnish or you could use something else instead.
What Kind of Gelatin to Use
I made my jello shots for Valentine’s Day using cherry flavoured gelatin but you can use any red jello such as strawberry or raspberry. Any kind of red fruit or berry goes well with the other ingredients in these cherry rum and vanilla rum shots. Black cherry jello is a darker colour so you will get darker coloured shots. It’ll still taste good though!
If you want, you can buy a 6-ounce package of jello and just divide it between the first mixture and the second instead of using two 3-ounce packages. Maybe you want to use 2 different flavours though, in which case use the two boxes.
Another option here would be making the Valentine’s shots with sugar-free jello. Bear in mind sweeteners weigh a lot less than sugar so the package will be lighter. It won’t make any difference to the finished cherries and cream layered jello shots.
How to Make Layered Creamy Jello Shots
You need to make the red and pink layers and then you can assemble the layered rum jello shots. First of all warm up some water then mix in the jello powder and cherry rum. For the pink layers, warm up the evaporated milk then mix in the vanilla rum and the remaining jello powder.
These 2 mixtures have to thicken up a bit before you make the jello shots for Valentine’s Day. You don’t want them to fully set of course, else you won’t be able to make the layers.
Add one layer into each shot glass then freeze until set. Add another layer. Keep repeating these steps, making sure each layer is set before adding the next. When you’re adding the last layer to these cherry rum and vanilla rum shots, add a maraschino cherry too. This makes the perfect garnish for your Valentine’s shots.
How Do You Store Creamy Jello Shots?
This isn’t a shot you can throw together at the last minute, since the cherries and cream layered jello shots need to set. For this reason make them at least an hour in advance. You can also make the layered rum jello shots up to a couple of days ahead.
Keep them refrigerated and covered with plastic wrap. They’ll be fine to consume after day 2 but the colours will begin to bleed after that so they won’t look as pretty.
Best Glasses to Make Jello Shots
These jello shots for Valentine’s Day will look and taste good in any kind of glass or container. You can get small stemmed wine taster glasses or even regular shot glasses made from glass. Other options include little paper cups and plastic shot glasses.
Another way to make cherries and cream layered jello shots without shot glasses is in a baking dish. Once you’ve made the Valentine’s shots following the recipe and everything is fully set, you can cut them into 2-inch squares then put them in a bowl.
This is more of a snack than a ‘shot’ because of the shape but it works fine if you are ready to make these and have everything except the shot glasses!
One final idea is to make them in cupcake liners. If you’re doing this, bear in mind you’ll need to keep the cupcake liners in a cupcake pan until the jello shots for Valentine’s day have set completely, else the liquid will just leak out of the delicate paper cups.
Where to Get Cherry Rum and Vanilla Rum
Regular rum could be used at a pinch for these cherries and cream layered jello shots but they’re better with the flavoured kind. Head to your local liquor store or order them online. As always, there are different brands to choose from, but it won’t make much difference which you use for these cherries and cream layered jello shots.
Valentine’s Day Cherries and Cream Layered Jello Shots Recipe
Cherries and Cream Layered Jello Shots for Valentine’s Day
Ingredients
For the red layers
- 1 Cup water
- 1 3 ounce gelatin cherry-flavored, such as Jell-O Cherry Gelatin*
- 1 Cup rum cherry-flavored, such as Cruzan Black Cherry, chilled
For the pink layers:
- 1 Cup evaporated milk
- 1 3 ounce gelatin cherry-flavored, such as Jell-O Cherry Gelatin*
- 1 Cup rum vanilla-flavored, such as Cruzan Vanilla, chilled
For the garnish (optional):
- 16 maraschino cherries with stems
Instructions
For the red layers:
- In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, add water and bring to a low boil. Remove from heat.
- Mix in 3-ounces of cherry gelatin and whisk until completely dissolved. Add cherry-flavored rum. Transfer to a heatproof container with a pour spout such as a glass measuring cup. Set aside at room-temperature.
For the pink layers:
- In the same small saucepan, over medium heat, add evaporated milk. Continue whisking and warming until milk just begins to steam. The evaporated milk can scorch easily so make sure you keep stirring as its heating! Remove from heat.
- Whisk in 3-ounces of cherry gelatin, stirring until dissolved. Add vanilla-flavored rum. Stir to mix. Transfer into another heat-proof container with a pour spout. Set aside at room-temperature.
To assemble the shots:
- For the first layer (I like to make 8 that start with the red layer and the other 8 starting with the pink layer), add about 3 teaspoons to a 2-ounce disposable shot glass. Place into the freezer for about 10 minutes or until the top of the gelatin is firm. You should be able to touch the top of the Jell-O with your finger and it should not stick.
- Before pouring your next layer, assure that it is at room temperature. This prevents bleeding of the colors into the other layers. Add enough of the next layer to match the width of the first layer. Again, place in the freezer for 10 minutes. Continue this process for each layer until you have four layers.
- For the fifth and final layer, add a maraschino cherry to the top with the stem directed toward the outside of the glass. When the cherry is in place, pour the final layer around the cherry until the liquid reaches the top of the shot glass. You can readjust the cherry at this time, if needed. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Nutrition
Notes
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Cherry rum and vanilla rum keep for a long time once opened and there are plenty of tasty cocktail recipes you can make using flavoured rum. They’re also delicious served as a long drink with 7Up or Sprite!
These are so cute! Want to try these out.