When I want to liven up my Halloween party, I whip up my Creepy Crawly Jello Shooter Cocktail. It’s a super simple way to make colorful jello shots that look like they’re crawling with wiggly gummy worms.
It’s playful, a little silly, and honestly, it fits the Halloween mood perfectly.
I love how easy these are to throw together—just a handful of ingredients and nothing fancy needed.
People always laugh and snap photos when these show up at my parties.
If you want something quick, creepy, and unforgettable, these jello shooter cocktails are worth a shot this Halloween.
Creepy Crawly Jello Shooter Cocktail Recipe
For a fun Halloween drink, I like to make these creepy crawly jello shooter cocktails.
Gummy worms and candy eyes give them a spooky look, and honestly, the ingredients are basic enough that anyone can pull this off.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls: I use these for prepping the jello and mixing things together.
- Measuring cups: Just to make sure the water, soda, and booze go in right.
- Whisk or spoon: For stirring the gelatin until it’s all nice and smooth.
- Kettle or saucepan: You’ll need this for boiling water to bloom the gelatin.
- Clear plastic shot glasses: These let everyone see the creepy crawlies inside.
- Baking sheet or tray: I like using this to keep the shots steady in the fridge.
- Dropper or small pitcher: Makes pouring the jello mixture way less messy.
- Plastic wrap: To cover the shots and keep fridge smells away.
- Piping bag (optional): If you want to get fancy with whipped topping or black icing.
Ingredients
- 1 box flavored Jello (3 oz): I usually pick a color that screams Halloween—grape for purple or orange like these candy corn jello shots.
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin: This just makes the shots a bit firmer.
- 1 cup boiling water: For dissolving all that jello goodness.
- 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda: Adds a little fizz and sweetness.
- 1/2 cup vodka: I’ll use plain or sometimes a flavored one if I’m feeling adventurous.
- Gummy worms: These are the stars—make sure to tuck a few in each shot.
- Gummy eyeballs or candy eyes: For a little extra Halloween fun on top.
- Whipped topping: A dollop makes them look like little ghosts.
- Black icing (gel or decorator’s): I use this for faces or creepy details.
- Optional: Other small Halloween candies: Candy bones or sprinkles if you want to go wild.
Instructions
- I set out clear shot glasses on a baking tray to keep things neat.
- In a mixing bowl, I dissolve the flavored Jello and unflavored gelatin with boiling water, whisking until it’s totally smooth.
- Then I stir in the lemon-lime soda and vodka, making sure it’s all mixed up.
- I drop a gummy worm or two into each shot glass—this part’s fun.
- With a dropper or small pitcher, I fill each glass about 3/4 full with the jello mixture.
- Into the fridge they go, chilling for 2 to 4 hours until set.
- Once they’re firm, I top each with whipped topping, a gummy eyeball or candy eyes, and a little black icing for that spooky finish.
Notes
I keep these jello shooters chilled until it’s party time so they hold up.
If I want a kid-friendly, non-alcoholic batch, I just skip the vodka and add more soda.
For ghost jello shots, I use white jello, whipped topping, and draw little faces with black icing.
If I’m feeling extra, I’ll layer different jello flavors for a candy corn effect—just let each layer set before adding the next.
Clear shot glasses really show off all the colors and creepy details, in my opinion.
Piping bags make decorating less messy, but I go easy on the black icing or it gets runny.
If I want firmer shots for kids, I’ll add a bit more unflavored gelatin.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Kettle or saucepan
- Clear plastic shot glasses (or mini cups)
- Baking sheet or tray
- Dropper or small pitcher
- Plastic wrap
- Piping bag (optional)
Ingredients
Jello Base:
- 1 3 oz box flavored Jello (grape, cherry, orange, etc.)
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup lemon-lime soda
- ½ cup vodka plain or flavored
Creepy Add-Ins & Toppings:
- Gummy worms 2 per shot recommended
- Gummy eyeballs or candy eyes
- Whipped topping for garnish
- Black gel icing for spooky details
- Optional: candy bones Halloween sprinkles, candy corn
Instructions
- Place clear plastic shot glasses on a baking tray for easy chilling.
- Stir in lemon-lime soda and vodka.
- Drop 1–2 gummy worms into each shot glass.
- Carefully pour the Jello mixture into glasses, filling each about ¾ full.
- Chill in the fridge for 2–4 hours or until fully set.
- Once set, top each shot with whipped topping, a candy eye or gummy, and decorate with black icing if desired.
- Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Tasting Notes
When I bite into a Creepy Crawly Jello Shooter Cocktail, the first thing I notice is that bright color and the wobbly, jiggly texture.
The flavor? It’s sweet, a bit tart, and honestly, it just fits the Halloween vibe.
Here’s what I get with each bite:
- Jello Base: Fruity, cool, and melts in your mouth.
- Alcohol: The vodka is there, but it doesn’t overpower—just a little warmth.
- Gummy Worms: Chewy, sweet, and a surprise in every shot.
The fruity jello punch goes great with other Halloween drinks.
For me, these drinks are smooth and not too strong.
The wiggly jello and gummy worms just make these Halloween cocktails a fun, light, and festive choice if you’re looking for something different.
Must Have Ingredients
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Substitute
Sometimes I run out of ingredients, or maybe I just want to shake things up with my Creepy Crawly Jello Shooter Cocktail.
Here are a few easy swaps you can try if you’re feeling adventurous—or just missing something from your pantry.
Equipment
If I don’t have shot glasses handy, I’ll grab mini plastic cups or even those little jelly jars.
Honestly, any medium bowl and a whisk will do for mixing—no need to get fancy.
Ingredients
Regular vodka is great, but spiced rum brings a warmer, richer vibe that I really like.
I’ve swapped out gummy worms for jello worms, or even candy corn when I want something different.
Sometimes, for a cool, bubbly look, I use tonic water instead of plain water.
And hey, it actually glows under black light—how fun is that?
Instructions
I make my jello like usual, but I’ll add spiced rum instead of vodka if I’m in the mood.
If I’m using tonic water, I just swap out half the water for tonic.
I like to drop in jello worms, candy corn, or whatever candies I have before pouring in the jello mix.
These little swaps keep things interesting—and honestly, sometimes the results are even better than the original!
