The party hack you didn’t know you needed.
What You’ll Need
* The Juice: 1 cup orange juice (the good stuff, no pulp).
* The Kick: ½ cup vodka (vanilla vodka is a total game-changer here).
* The Build: 1 box (3 oz) Orange Jello + ¼ cup sugar.
* The Cream: 1 cup stable whipped cream (homemade or thawed Cool Whip) + ¼ tsp vanilla.
* The Prep: A little extra water for the gelatin.
How to Make It Happen
1. Prep the Jello
Mix the orange jello powder with 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes. It’ll look thick and weird—that’s “blooming,” and it’s how you avoid grainy jello.
2. Heat the Base
Warm up your OJ and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir it until the sugar vanishes. Don’t let it boil! You just want it hot enough to melt things.
3. Melt & Spike
Take the pan off the stove. Stir in your thickened jello until it’s silky smooth. Now, pour in the vodka and vanilla. Doing this off the heat keeps the alcohol from evaporating (because what’s the point otherwise?).
4. The “Creamsicle” Swirl
Let the mixture cool down to room temperature. Crucial: If it’s still hot, the cream will melt and get oily. Once cool, gently fold in your whipped cream. Don’t over-mix—you want those pretty white and orange streaks.
5. Pour & Chill
Line a 9×13 pan with plastic wrap (leave some hanging over the edges like handles). Pour the mix in and tilt the pan so it’s about ½ inch thick. Pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).
6. Roll ‘Em Up
Lift the whole sheet out using the plastic wrap handles. Lay it on a cutting board and slice it into long strips (about an inch wide). Roll them up like a sleeping bag and stand them up on a platter.
💡 Quick Tips from a Friend
* Vanilla Vodka: Seriously, if you have it, use it. It makes it taste exactly like a milkshake.
* The “Non-Stick” Trick: If the jello is sticking to your knife, dip the blade in warm water between cuts.
* Stable Cream: If you use the spray-can whipped cream, these will collapse in minutes. Stick to the tub or homemade stuff!
