Several plates with fluorescent glowing Jello molds.

5 / 2 votes

Glow in the Dark Jell-O

Glow in the dark Jell-O shots (or larger party centerpieces made in a Bundt pan) are an essential party trick that's part science project, part Halloween decor, part nifty excuse to knock back some gin and tonic in unique form under black lights. Here's how to make them.

Prep Time25

Chill6

Total Time11 35

Course: Snacks

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 116

Equipment

Fluorescent UV light
Gelatin molds, shot glasses, or Bundt pans

Ingredients

▢ 2 packages sheet gelatin, (enough to set 2 quarts firmly—usually about 50 percent more than listed on the package)
▢ 2 cups decent gin, (if you don’t want to serve alcohol, you can substitute chilled tonic water)
▢ Juice of 3 large limes or lemons
▢ 1 1/2 quarts (6 cups) tonic water, chilled
▢ Mild vegetable oil

US - Metric

Instructions

Cut the gelatin sheets into small pieces using scissors and place them in a large heatproof bowl. Pour 1 cup gin over the gelatin and let it rest until the gelatin starts to soften, about 10 minutes.
Place the bowl of boozy gelatin in the microwave and heat on high power for 1 1/2 minutes or place the bowl over but not touching a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved. Do not let the gelatin come to a boil. Remove from the heat.
Stir the remaining gin into the gelatin along with the lime or lemon juice. Then add the chilled tonic water, pouring it in as slowly and carefully as you can to keep it from fizzing. You want to lock in all those bubbles so they have a stunning effect in the Jell-O.
Slick your gelatin molds or shot glasses or whatever containers you intend to use with a paper towel soaked with vegetable oil. Pour the gin and tonic mixture—hold the mixture low to the molds and be sure to pour slowly and carefully to minimize bubbling—into your gelatin molds or glasses or even into a baking dish (you'll later need to cut the Jell-O into cubes or shapes using a knife or spooky-shaped cookie cutters). Place in the fridge to set for about 6 hours.
Now’s the fun part. Serve it under a fluorescent UV light. The darker the atmosphere, the better the effect, so it's best at night, with the lights turned out and the UV bulb as close to the Jell-Os as possible!

Nutrition