Sparkling Watermelon Jello Shots

These Sparkling Watermelon Jello Shots are just as fun as they sound and will help give jello shots a fun, delicious new reputation.

This recipe …out of left field or right smack dab in “this makes sense” town? Asking for a friend.

I am so excited to bring you a (healthier?) jello shot recipe, you guys. SO EXCITED. Thinking back to Summertime adventures growing up, I remember getaways to the lake on Memorial Day Weekend with my parent's friends. There were jet skis (such a fun workout), s'mores, potluck food spread, and (for the adults only) jello shots. While we didn't partake in the shots, I filed them away for “one day I'mma try one of those.”

Then college happened and I tasted a couple (typical) gross (too strong) shots, and wrote them off. I was not, it turns out, interested in bright red jello that made me dizzy.

WELL FOLKS, if you were burned by gross jello shots in the past, I have a treat for you. These little cuties are not gross, actually pretty tasty, easy to make, and even call for healthier ingredients like fresh fruit and gelatin.

These shots call for fresh watermelon, a good amount of lime juice, honey for sweetener, gin (or you could use vodka/tequila), and sparking wine for a fun, bubbly finish.

To make the shots, the fresh ingredients are all blended together and a small amount of the sparking wine is used to dissolve the gelatin. Note: it will foam a LOT, but this way we don't have to water-down the shots (or cook the fruit juice).

Pour them in a casserole dish to set, slice, and serve!

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Sparkling Watermelon Jello Shots

• Author: Amber Goulden
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 40 squares

Ingredients

• 3 cups seedless watermelon cubes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 3/4 cup gin
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/3 cup gelatin
• 1 bottle prosecco, divided

Instructions

1. Place the watermelon in a high-speed blender and blend until fully liquid. 
2. Pour the watermelon through a fine mesh strainer to remove remaining watermelon pulp. 
3. In a large bowl, whisk to combine the watermelon juice, lime juice, honey, and gin. 
4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the gelatin and one cup prosecco. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring continuously, until gelatin dissolves and mixture becomes foamy and doubles in size. Remove from heat and let cook 5-10 minutes.
5. Whisk the gelatin mixture into the watermelon mixture along with the remaining prosecco. 
6. Once fully combined, pour the jello shots into a 9×13 inch baking dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set, then cut into 1-inch cubes and serve!