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A batch of rainbow pot o’ gold jello vodka shots brings color and fun to any party table. Each shot combines vibrant gelatin, fluffy whipped topping and a candy rainbow for a playful treat that tastes as good as it looks. With a touch of vodka, a sparkle of gold and a fun layered look, these little cups are guaranteed to bring smiles. They’re simple to assemble and ideal for your St. Patrick’s Day party.
Rainbow pot o’ gold jello vodka shots combine bright gelatin, whipped topping, candy rainbows and gold sprinkles for a colorful, boozy party treat.
Also try shamrock shakes, corned beef hash au gratin, Irish tacos with potatoes and don’t forget Bailey’s Irish cream pie for dessert.
Why You’ll Love It
Bright and fun: Each shot bursts with vibrant colors and layers.
Easy to make: Simple steps make these party-ready in no time.
Make ahead: Prepare the gelatin in advance for quick assembly later.
Customizable: Change the candy or sprinkles for different occasions.
Rainbow Pot o’ Gold Jello Vodka Shots Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Gelatin: Blue gelatin forms the base color for each shot.
Vodka: Adds a boozy kick and pairs well with fruity gelatin flavors.
Whipped topping: Light and creamy, it forms the “clouds” in each layer.
Rainbow candy belts: These make the edible rainbow arcs on top.
Gold sprinkles: Add a festive sparkle to finish each shot.
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Shots
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the gelatin: Dissolve the gelatin in boiling water, then stir in chilled vodka.
Chill the mixture: Refrigerate until partly set but still soft.
Scrape the gelatin: Use a fork to crumble it into small pieces.
Assemble the layers: Alternate gelatin and whipped topping to create clouds.
Finish the shots: Add candy rainbows and gold sprinkles on top.
Substitutions and Variations
Vodka swaps: Use rum or tequila for a different flavor profile.
Gelatin flavors: Try red or green gelatin for holiday themes.
Gluten free: Most ingredients are naturally gluten free, but check candy labels.
Non-alcoholic version: Replace vodka with cold fruit juice for kid-friendly shots.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your Irish feast with Irish nachos or a green goddess salad.
Main dish: Next, serve up corned beef and potato casserole.
Dessert: Enjoy St. Patrick’s cookies and buttercream dip or pistachio tiramisu with your pot o’ gold jello shots.
How to Store St. Patrick’s Day Vodka Shots
Store: These St. Patrick’s Day or Pride Day vodka shots will keep for up to 2 days if you keep them covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated. Since the gold stars tend to sink slowly through the cream topping, I’d recommend adding those shortly before serving. Else your ‘pot of gold’ is going to be floating in the “clouds” rather than at the end of the rainbow where it’s supposed to be!
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing as the texture would change.
Top Tips
Chill the vodka: Cold vodka helps the gelatin set properly.
Use clear cups: They show off the colorful layers beautifully.
Add sprinkles last: Prevent color bleeding by adding sprinkles just before serving.
Make ahead: Prepare the gelatin a day ahead so assembly is quick.
Rainbow Pot O’ Gold Shots FAQs
Yes, as long as it’s stabilized whipped cream so it holds its shape.
No, you can use any flavor or color you like for a different look.
7 Curious Facts about St. Patrick’s Day
- The first celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in North America was in 1737 in Boston.
- Shamrocks are associated with the holiday because they are the national emblem of Ireland.
- According to legend, the four leaves on a clover represent love, hope, faith, and luck.
- Beer is the most popular beverage but the shamrock shake is also in demand on St. Patrick’s Day.
- The shortest parade is held in an Irish village and it only lasts the 100 yards between two pubs.
- St. Patrick was never actually canonized by the Pope so he’s a ‘saint’ in name only.
- Chicago dyes the river green for several hours on St. Patrick’s Day and has done so since 1962.
St Patrick’s Day Jello Shots
Rainbow Pot O’ Gold Jello Vodka Shots
Equipment
- Baking Dish 9 x 13-Inch
- Shot Glasses 2-Ounce
- Pastry Bag Optional
Ingredients
- 2 Cups water, boiling
- 1 Box blue jello, 6-Ounces
- 2 Cups vodka, chilled
- 8 Ounces whipped topping, such as Cool Whip
- 8 rainbow candy belts, such as Airheads Xtremes, halved
- sprinkles, I used gold stars
Instructions
Make Jello Mixture
- Remove boiling water from heat source. In a 1 ½-quart saucepan (or other similarly sized heatproof container), add gelatin to boiling water. Whisk until gelatin has completely dissolved. Add chilled vodka. Stir to mix.
- Pour gelatin-vodka mixture into a large, scratch-resistant baking dish. (You will be using a fork to crumble the gelatin after it has been refrigerated).
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Gelatin will be under-set.
- Remove gelatin from the refrigerator and, using a fork, scrape its surface, crumbling the gelatin into small pieces. Continue scraping until all of the gelatin has been crumbled.
Assemble the Shots
- Using a spoon, place about 2-teaspoons of the crumbled gelatin into the bottom of a 2-ounce shot glass. With another spoon, tap a small amount of the whipped topping onto the interior of the shot glass, forming cloud shapes just above the gelatin line. Continue making “clouds” in layers, filling with gelatin as you work your way up the side of the shot glass, until you reach the top. Don’t worry about perfection. Clouds are imperfect!
- Continue making “clouds” in layers, filling with gelatin as you work your way up the side of the shot glass, until you reach the top. Don’t worry about perfection. Clouds are imperfect!
- Dollop or pipe whipped topping onto the top of the filled shot glass. Creating an arch with your candy belt, insert each end into the whipped topping until it stands on its own. Finish off with gold sprinkles at the end of the candy rainbow.
Notes
Use clear cups: They show off the colorful layers beautifully.
Add sprinkles last: Prevent color bleeding by adding sprinkles just before serving.
Make ahead: Prepare the gelatin a day ahead so assembly is quick.
Nutrition
These rainbow pot o’ gold jello vodka shots are the perfect party treat with bright colors, creamy layers and sweet candy rainbows on top. Easy to make ahead and customize with your favorite gelatin flavors, they bring a playful twist to any celebration. Prepare a tray of these and watch them disappear as fast as you set them out. They’re a great alternative to Guinness and shamrock shakes!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These are so freakin’ cute – have to make them this summer with the grandkids. BUT what do I use instead of Vodka to make it kid-friendly? Thanks!
My first thought was something like Sprite or 7Up but I think if you sub half the vodka for that and the other half for plain water, you’ll avoid these being too sweet. Let me know how they come out!
They look so adorable. Enjoyed making these!
These jello vodka shots are so much fun! They would be great for St. Patrick’s Day or a themed birthday celebration.
These are the cutest jello shots I’ve ever seen! My friends are going to love these. Thank you for the recipe.
These are so cute! I actually never had a jello shot so I’m curious to try it
This is absolutely adorable and would be great at a party. Since my Type 1 child is 16, I’d make it sans vodka – would that affect the carb count?
These are absolutely adorable!!! These would be fun to make at any time of the year! I love fun Jell-O shots!
I know what I am making this year! This are so darn cute