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This eye-catching Mountain Dew Baja Blast Jello Shots mix turns your fave tropical soda into bouncy, wiggly party snacks. The striking teal shade perfectly captures Baja Blast's vibe, making a head-turning addition to any get-together that'll have everyone grabbing more.
I whipped these up first for a backyard pool bash last summer when I needed something fitting our beach theme. The bright teal matched our swimming water exactly and they vanished quicker than anything else I'd put out.
What You Need
- Mountain Dew Baja Blast: Gives that one-of-a-kind lime tropical taste that makes these shots special
- Blue Gatorade: Boosts the blue shade and brings another flavor dimension
- Knox Unflavored Gelatin: Makes that perfect wobbly texture that stays firm
- Boiling water: Wakes up the gelatin so it sets right
- More soda: Packs in extra flavor while getting the texture just right
- Whipped cream: Adds a fluffy topping that cuts through the sweetness
- Maraschino cherries: Bring a splash of red and sweet finish on top
How To Make Them
- Mix Your Gelatin:
- Heat half cup of water until it's fully boiling in a small pot. Once it's bubbling away, pull it off the heat and dump in both Knox Gelatin packs. Stir hard for about 30 seconds till it's all mixed in with no little clumps left. Getting this part right means your shots won't feel gritty later.
- Add Your Drinks:
- Pour in the Blue Gatorade and Baja Blast to your gelatin mix. Go slow while stirring so everything blends nicely. Then add another half cup of soda, mixing gently so it stays fizzy. You'll see a bright teal color now and catch that awesome tropical smell.
- Pour Into Cups:
- Slowly pour your mix into whatever you're serving in. Little plastic cups work great but shot glasses look fancier if you want. Fill each about three-quarters so there's room for toppings. Work fast while everything's still warm and runny.
- Cool Until Firm:
- Put your filled cups on a flat cookie sheet before sliding into the fridge. This makes moving them around easier and catches drips. Let cool at least 2 hours but overnight works best for really firm shots. They're done when they don't slosh if you tap them gently.
- Finish And Serve:
- Right before you dish them out, squirt some whipped cream on top and stick a cherry on each one. The colors look amazing together and the creamy top balances out the sweet tropical flavor.
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The thing I love most when I bring these out is watching people's faces light up at that electric blue color. My little nephew once called them mermaid jello and now that's what my whole family calls them whenever we get together.
Ways To Mix It Up
For different tastes, try swapping half the extra soda with fruit juice, flavor drops, or bubbly water. Coconut water works really well with Baja Blast's tropical hints. Just know that changing the liquids might affect how they set, so you might need to throw in another half teaspoon of gelatin or let them chill longer. You can make the flavor stronger or milder as you like, but watch out for too much acidic juice as it can stop them from getting firm.
Keeping Them Fresh
These jello shots stay tasty and bouncy for up to 3 days when stored right. Keep them wrapped up in the fridge so they don't pick up smells from other foods. If you're taking them to a party, just leave them in their cups and cover with plastic wrap or foil. Don't add the whipped cream and cherry until right before serving or the cream will melt away.
Serving Suggestions
Bump up your jello shot game with fun serving ideas. Try putting them in scooped-out lime halves for a tropical feel. At beach parties, sprinkle some crushed graham crackers on top to look like sand. You can also squeeze the whipped cream through a fancy tip for prettier results. Maybe stick in tiny umbrellas or cute straws to make these bright treats even more fun.
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Common Questions
- → Can I make these jello shots non-alcoholic?
Definitely! Just leave out the booze and stick with the soda and Gatorade combo for a family-friendly version everyone can enjoy.
- → How can I make these jello shots vegan?
Swap gelatin for agar-agar and just follow the package directions for setting. You'll still get awesome flavor and texture.
- → How long do these jello shots need to set?
They need at least 2 hours in the fridge. But for the best texture, let them chill overnight if you can wait that long.
- → Can I add decorations or toppings?
You bet! Try a swirl of whipped cream, pop a cherry on top, or shake on some edible sparkles to make them extra fancy.
- → What type of molds work best for these?
You've got options. Grab some tiny plastic cups, shot glasses, or try silicone molds. The silicone ones are great because your shots will pop right out when they're ready.