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These Sparkling Cider Jello Shots are as stunning and beautiful as they are delicious and fun! A great alternative to alcoholic champagne jello shots that are so popular on New Years, these sparkling treats are for the whole family!
I’ve been so excited to share this recipe with you! But first, can we just take a moment to say ohmygosh I can’t believe Christmas has already come and gone?!?
I mean. Wow.
How has the entire year already flown by??
We had a really great Christmas with my family in North Carolina. It took us all day to work our way through the pile of gifts, the food was incredible, and the day was filled with lots of laughter and love. We relished in every single moment watching Emma as she (for the first year) started to really understand the concept of Santa, gift giving, and (obviously) gift getting. We went overboard on her gifts this year, no question about it, but it has been so much fun watching her gleefully run around with new toys.
I know, I know– I’m just talking about the toys and presents. I know there’s more to Christmas, and I should be focusing on that. But I just can’t wipe the grin off my face when I see her sitting at her new vanity curling her hair and applying pretend lipstick. Or when she runs around with her new camera shouting “SAY CHEEEEEEEEEEEEESE!” Or when I hear her speaking in a high squeaky voice as she pretends the Cinderella lego-person is having a conversation with the Ariel lego-person.
It’s just so sweet my heart feels like it’s going to explode.
But all good things must come to an end, I suppose. And now it’s time to transition into the New Year. Which means it’s almost time to start cleaning out her room of old and ragged toys, taking down the Christmas decorations, and making salad my new favorite food (boo)!
Fortunately, the cosmic universe (well… the calendar year, actually) gives us a buffer week in between the most gluttonous day of the year and the least. And we get to use this week to finish up the holiday food leftovers and plan for one last awesome celebration: New Years Eve!
We don’t drink, but I’ve always loved the look of champagne jello shots. They just look so pretty and sparkly, and I’ve been meaning to get around to making a non-alcoholic sparkling cider version forever!
These are so fun and just as beautiful as the champagne jello shots, but these can be enjoyed by the entire family! You can use any flavor of sparkling cider (or even a combination of half juice and half carbonated water) and add berries or cherries for a fancy look! You could even add gummies for a less-fancy and more kid-friendly feel!!
I used White Grape Sparkling Juice and blackberries for a more “adult” and sophisticated look and taste, but there are so many variations you could create. And, of course, think outside the glass! I was going for fancy-looking, so I poured them into these stemmed glasses. But you could pour the jello into small jars or even cut them into cubes!
Sparkling Cider Jello Shot Tips
- You can use any flavor of sparkling cider or juice for this recipe. I like to use a white grape sparkling cider for a more sophisticated look and taste, but you could also use apple, cranberry, or even orange juice!
- If you’re using whole berries or cherries as a garnish, be sure to wash them and remove the stems before adding them to the jello shots.
- These can be poured into any type of container you like for serving, from small jars to stemmed glasses. If you’re using stemmed glasses, be sure to pour the liquid slowly so as not to lose too much carbonation.
- These can also be made into cubes by pouring them into a square or rectangular cake pan and then freezing. Once frozen, you can pop them out of the pan and store in a freezer-safe container. Then, just before serving, let them thaw slightly so that they’re easy to eat!
- If you’re looking for a less-fancy and more kid-friendly version, try adding gummy bears or other types of gummy candy to the jello shots!
Sparkling Cider Jello Shot FAQ
Do I have to use gelatin?
You can definitely make these without the gelatin, but they will not be as firm. For a less-firm jello shot, you could try using agar-agar or vegan gelatin.
Can I use any type of sparkling juice or cider?
Yes, you can use any type of sparkling juice or cider that you like. I recommend choosing a sparkling juice or cider with a fruity flavor for the best results.
Can I add alcohol to these jello shots?
Yes, you can add alcohol to these jello shots if you would like. Just be sure to adjust the amount of gelatin accordingly. For example, if you are using 1 cup of alcohol, use only 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin.
How long will these jello shots keep?
These jello shots will keep in the fridge for about 2-3 days. You can also store them in the freezer for a few weeks. Just be sure to thaw them slightly before serving.
So there you have it! A fun and festive way to end the year and celebrate New Year’s Eve! These Sparkling Cider Jello Shots are as stunning and beautiful as they are delicious and fun! A great alternative to alcoholic champagne jello shots that are so popular on New Years, these sparkling treats are for the whole family!
Sparkling Cider Jello Shots (non-alcoholic)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 2 1/2 cups sparkling juice or cider (chilled)
- optional: berries, cherries, or gummies
Instructions
- Sprinkle the 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin over the boiling water and let soften for a few minutes. Whisk to dissolve completely and to get rid of clumps.
- Pour the sparkling juice or cider gently into a mixing bowl or large measuring cup with a spout (try to pour onto the inside of the bowl to minimize carbonation loss). Pour the gelatin mixture into the sparkling juice and gently stir to combine.
- Pour the liquid into stemmed glasses or other containers you wish to use for serving. Add berries or gummies to each glass.
- Refrigerate for an hour before serving or until jello is firm enough to eat.
Notes
Recipe modified from a Champagne Jello Shot recipe found on 1 Fine Cookie
Don’t miss a bite!
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