Eyeball Jello Shots bring a spooky twist to your party table with creepy edible eyeballs floating in cherry jello. They’re sweet, boozy, and just the right mix of fun and fright—perfect for Halloween gatherings or late-night scares. Guests will love the eerie look and bold flavors, and you’ll love how simple they are to make ahead of time.
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Why you’ll love these creepy Eyeball Jello Shots
These Eyeball Jello Shots are equal parts scary and delicious. The sweet cherry jello pairs perfectly with fizzy cola and spiced rum, giving each shot a unique punch of flavor. At the same time, the lychee eyeballs with maraschino cherries and dried fruit make them look terrifyingly real. You can prepare them a few hours before your party, which saves time on the big night. Since the recipe is easy to customize with non-alcoholic or low-carb options, everyone can enjoy them. Bring these shots to your Halloween party, and they’ll definitely steal the spotlight while giving guests a fun, spooky surprise.
Ingredients you’ll need
For the Jello shots
- 1 box (4-serving size) cherry jello mix
- 1 ½ cups cola or cherry cola (divided)
- ½ cup dark spiced rum (or light rum)
For the edible eyeballs
- Canned lychees
- Maraschino cherries
- Black raisins or dried cranberries
- Red gel food coloring
Step-by-step instructions
Make the Jello base
Start by pouring 1 cup of cola into a saucepan and bringing it to a boil. Sprinkle in the cherry jello mix and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Then add ½ cup cold cola and ½ cup rum. Stir well, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. This cola method adds a deeper sweetness than water.
Prepare the spooky eyeballs
Drain canned lychees and pat them dry with paper towels. Stuff each lychee with a maraschino cherry, making sure the stem hole faces outward. For the pupil, gently press in a raisin or dried cranberry into the cherry center. Next, dip a toothpick in red gel food coloring and drag it along the lychee’s creases to create creepy red veins. Place your finished eyeballs on a paper towel-lined plate with the pupil side up, then refrigerate until ready to use.
Assemble the Jello shots
Set clean shot glasses on a tray. Pour the jello mixture into each, filling them about ¾ full. Place the tray in the fridge for 20 minutes, just until the jello starts to firm but isn’t fully set.
Chill and serve
Once partially set, carefully press one eyeball halfway into each shot. Return the tray to the fridge and chill for at least 2 more hours until completely firm. Keep the shots cold until serving. Guests will be amazed when they see the eyeballs staring back at them!
Recipe notes and expert tips
Use boiling cola instead of water for a sweeter, more intense base. If you prefer, swap in water and then add cola with the cold liquid step. Drying the lychees before adding food coloring is key, as it prevents the red gel from running and ruining the effect. For quicker prep, you can make the eyeballs the day before and store them covered in the fridge. Always skim foam off the jello mixture for a smooth finish in the glasses. If you want bigger eyeballs that stand out, use smaller glasses so the lychee nearly fills the top. Also remember, these shots pack a little alcohol punch, so plan them as treats, not as main drinks.
Variations and substitutions
Non-alcoholic version
Skip the rum and add another ½ cup of cola. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the same spooky look without the alcohol.
Low-carb version
Use sugar-free cherry jello and diet cola. This swap keeps the fun look while cutting sugar dramatically.
Vegetarian version
Pick a plant-based gelatin mix to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly. It sets up the same way and looks just as eerie.
Flavor swaps and upgrades
Try Dr. Pepper or vanilla cola for extra depth. You can also swap the rum for bourbon, Fireball, or whiskey if you want a stronger flavor twist. For eyeballs, blueberries with raisins work as a faster alternative that’s still creepy.
Storage and make-ahead tips
Keep your eyeball jello shots covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. They stay fresh for up to three days, making them a great make-ahead Halloween treat. However, don’t freeze them, as the texture will turn icy and unpleasant. For parties, prepare them the night before so they’re firm and ready to serve when guests arrive.
Related Recipes to try
- spooky eyeball fudge brownies for Halloween parties
- fun cheeseburger skulls for Halloween dinner
- Halloween vampire bite cupcakes with edible blood
- skewered salami eyeballs for creepy party appetizers
Conclusion
Eyeball Jello Shots are the perfect mix of creepy and tasty, with a sweet cherry-rum base and realistic edible eyeballs. They’re easy to prepare ahead, customizable for any crowd, and guaranteed to wow your Halloween guests. Pair them with other themed treats for a complete spooky spread, and don’t forget to share your creations over on Pinterest for party inspiration.
FAQs
How to make eyeball jelly?
To make eyeball jelly, stuff lychees with maraschino cherries and raisins or cranberries for the pupils. Add red food coloring veins, then press them into jello cups before chilling.
How much alcohol does a jello shot have in it?
Most jello shots contain about ½ to ⅔ ounce of alcohol each. It’s less than a full drink, but since they’re small and easy to eat, they can add up quickly.
What’s the best alcohol to put in jello shots?
Rum, vodka, and flavored whiskeys are all great choices for jello shots. For eyeball jello shots, spiced rum pairs beautifully with cherry and cola flavors.
How to make jelly shot glasses?
To make jelly shot glasses, use silicone molds. Fill them with prepared gelatin, then chill until firm. Pop them out, and they hold their shape, creating edible little cups for your filling.
Eyeball Jello Shots (Spooky Halloween Recipe)
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Spooky, cherry-cola Eyeball Jello Shots with lychee-cherry “eyeballs” and a splash of rum. Fun, creepy, and perfect for Halloween parties. Easy to make ahead and wildly crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
1 box (4-serving size) cherry jello mix
1 ½ cups cola or cherry cola, divided
½ cup dark spiced rum (or light rum)
Canned lychees
Maraschino cherries
Black raisins or dried cranberries
Red gel food coloring
Instructions
1. Boil 1 cup cola in a saucepan. Sprinkle in cherry jello and stir until dissolved. Add ½ cup cold cola and ½ cup rum; stir and skim any foam.
2. Set shot glasses on a tray. Fill each about ¾ full with the jello mixture. Chill 20 minutes until partially set.
3. Stuff lychees with maraschino cherries (stem hole out). Press a raisin or dried cranberry into each cherry for the pupil.
4. Pat lychees dry. Use a toothpick dipped in red gel food coloring to draw veins along the creases. Chill eyeballs on a paper towel-lined plate, pupil side up.
5. Press one eyeball halfway into each partially set shot. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until fully firm.
6. Keep refrigerated until serving.
Notes
Use boiling cola instead of water for a sweeter taste.
If using water, dissolve jello in ⅓ cup boiling water, then add 1¼ cups cold cola plus the rum.
Eyeballs can be made with blueberries and raisins for a simpler version.
Drying lychees helps the food coloring stick and prevents running.
Prep time: 20 minutes | Chill time: 2 hours | Cook time: 0 minutes | Yields: 12 | Serving size: 1
Low-carb: use sugar-free cherry jello and diet cola.
Vegetarian: use a plant-based gelatin mix.
Non-alcoholic: replace rum with ½ cup cola.
Flavor ideas: try Dr. Pepper or vanilla cola; swap rum with bourbon, Fireball, or whiskey.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Halloween Recipes
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 79
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.01 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.09 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
