This is easily solved. I make hundreds for tailgating each year. Here's my very experienced take on it:
The best tasting shots are the ones that go down easy. So I use vodka.
Dissolve the Jello according to directions, may be with a little less water. Be sure the water is boiling so it dissolves thouroughly.
Let's say you're making the 2 cup hot water and 2 cup cold water large size box.
Dissolve Jello in 1-1/2 cups boiling water.
Have a 2-cup measuring cup filled with ice CUBES. Always keep your vodka chilled in the freezer. Pour vodka over the ice to the 2-cup mark. Keep the iced vodka in freezer until the Jello is completely dissolve in hot water.
When Jello is dissolved, stir in your mixed ice/vodka mixture until dissolved. You may remove any undisolved ice slivers. Upon taste, it may burn a little or seem a little strong, but it mellows. Pour into shot cups, and chill or put them in the freezer for awhile. This is a quick-set method, they won't freeze solid, and they're GREAT frozen/slushy.
You have used less water than called for, and they WILL set. Some people use 2 full cups of vodka, but they are so strong you can't enjoy as many.
Well, maybe Fribble would try, but that's another story. This way, they're quite tasty, and set up just perfectly!
I buy the 2 oz paper cups at a restaurant supply store. $5 for 500 cups.
Or they are available at burger joints for putting ketchup in. Paper cups have the advantage of you being able to squeeze and s*** every bit of the Jello out of the cup. And after a few shots, you may be doing the "jello toss" for others to catch in their mouths. This game is riskier with the hard plastic condiment cups.
I generally make a certain color/flavor stronger or weaker for the experienced or lightweights. Shots can be made the night before and stored. PM me for how to transport mass quantities.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
