5 Delicious Combinations For The Best Fall-Themed Jell-O Shots

Try apple pie Jell-O shots after a day at the orchard

One of the most iconic fruits of the fall season, various types of apples are ripe for picking as summer fades and autumn gradually arrives. The apple harvest naturally lends itself to baking scrumptious apple pies. However, after a day spent gathering apples, you might find yourself wanting to swap out serving platters for Jell-O shot glasses.

Creating a batch of apple pie Jell-O shots is remarkably easy and doesn’t even require flavored Jell-O. Using a base of non-alcoholic apple cider and a packet of gelatin, this festive drink gets its kick from Fireball or the lower-sugar Jack Daniels Tennessee Fire. Once they’ve set, finish them off with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, allspice, or nutmeg to capture that genuine apple pie flavor.

Start the holiday morning off right with cinnamon roll Jell-O shots

As autumn approaches, the allure of adding cinnamon to nearly everything becomes irresistible. It truly captures the warm, cozy essence of fall. While you can (and definitely should) whip up a cinnamon syrup to enhance a variety of dishes, you can also infuse that spice into your Jell-O shot experience.

By combining cream soda and Fireball with unflavored gelatin, you can recreate the delightful flavor of sweet, yeasty buns paired with a warm cinnamon-sugar spread. The Fireball adds a kick of spice and a spirited punch, so just as a cinnamon roll is finished with a sweet icing, top your Jell-O shots with whipped cream once they’ve cooled and are ready to serve. For an eye-catching touch, dust the whipped cream with cinnamon or a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar.

Candy corn shots are a boozy twist on a Halloween classic

What better way to embrace the spooky season than with a nod to a classic Halloween treat? Candy corn's unique flavor (and likely its sugar content) can be quite polarizing. However, the mere sight of candy corn instantly signals that fall has truly arrived. But why should the kids have all the fun with trick-or-treating? You deserve a treat too, and you can indulge without skipping the spirits by making candy corn Jell-O shots!

These shots beautifully capture the candy corn aesthetic with their layered design. Don’t fret—creating these layers is much simpler than other layered cocktails, though it does require a bit of patience. Essentially, you’ll be crafting layered Jell-O, which means you need to let each layer set before adding the next.

Start with a vodka-infused lemon Jell-O for the bottom third of your shot glasses. Once that layer has set, prepare the second layer using orange Jell-O and orange liqueur (like triple sec or Grand Marnier) for the middle third. Finally, top it off with a creamy gelatin layer made from water, vodka, gelatin, and sweetened condensed milk. Your candy corn Jell-O shots will be a hit at your next Halloween gathering, but don’t be surprised if they disappear quickly!

Honor a Thanksgiving staple with bourbon pecan pie shots

Pecan pie is a dessert that embodies the essence of autumn. You might find yourself exploring Ree Drummond's expert tips for pecan pie or Joanna Gaines' zesty twist on the classic. However, with bourbon pecan pie Jell-O shots, you can enjoy all the delightful flavors of your favorite Thanksgiving dessert in a fun, convenient, and irresistible shot form.

Neutral gelatin powder is your ally in this recipe—most of the flavor comes from a blend of brown sugar, dark corn syrup, vanilla, and butter extract, enhanced by the bold mix of bourbon and vodka. To pack in the pecan taste, crush the nuts and mix them with brown sugar before sprinkling the mixture over your shots. For an extra touch, top with a dollop of whipped cream and a pecan half when serving. You could even elevate it further by making bourbon-infused whipped cream for an added kick!

Pumpkin spice season comes earlier every year

The pumpkin spice latte phenomenon has become a contemporary cliché, and for good reason. Although pumpkin spice has a much older history, the pumpkin spice latte has truly resonated with the cultural moment. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to go anywhere in the fall without encountering something pumpkin-spiced. While making pumpkin spice lattes at home can yield delicious results, if you’re looking for a simpler make-ahead option, you can embrace the pumpkin spice season with some latte-inspired Jell-O shots instead.

By using cold brew coffee, vanilla vodka, French vanilla coffee creamer, and pumpkin spice syrup, you can replicate both the flavor and appearance of a pumpkin spice latte in a fun, bite-sized Jell-O shot. To ensure these PSL shots are as delightful as your friends remember, be sure to choose a quality cold brew. You can brew your own with a cold brew coffee maker like the CoffeeBear or find the best store-bought cold brew available. Additionally, a high-quality flavored syrup is essential; Amazon offers the popular Torani pumpkin spice syrup in a convenient pump bottle.

Once your shots are ready, garnish them with whipped topping and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice or a pumpkin spice alternative, and you’ll have delightful, festive Jell-O shots that perfectly capture the essence of fall.