Picture this: you’re at a party, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and suddenly you spot it – the infamous Jell-O shot. The brightly colored little cups beckon you from across the room. You think to yourself, “Why not?” and decide to dive into the wiggly world of boozy gelatin.

Now, if you’re anything like me, the first thing that probably comes to mind when you think of Jell-O shots is college parties, sororities, and wild nights out. But, believe it or not, these bouncy bad boys actually have a rich (and fascinating) history that dates back way further than your wild frat parties.

First of all, did you know that gelatin itself is older than your great-great-great-great-great-grandma? (Yes, we’re talking seriously ancient!) It all started around 1400 BC, when the Egyptians realized they could use animal collagen to make this wobbly substance. Fast forward a few centuries, and gelatin became the ingredient of choice for elaborate dishes served at the posh dinner parties of the 1800s.

“Okay, cool,” I hear you say, “But where does the booze come in?”

Glad you asked! The first-ever recorded Jell-O shot (booze-infused gelatin, in case you were wondering) was actually made in 1862 by a guy named Jerry Thomas. You might know him as the legendary bartender who penned the very first cocktail book. (What a legend, am I right?) Jerry, bless his heart, decided to mix gelatin and booze together to create the ‘Punch Jelly’ – the great-great-great-grandfather of your modern Jell-O shot. Back in those days, people were knocking these babies back at saloons and speakeasies, proving that the love for wiggly alcoholic treats knows no bounds.

Nowadays, the humble Jell-O shot has come a long way since its boozy birth in the 1800s. If you’re anything like me, you probably think Jell-O shots are all about cheap vodka mixed with some sickly-sweet, brightly colored gelatin. But oh, how wrong you’d be! Thanks to our ingenious mixology skills, the modern Jell-O shot comes in all sorts of delicious and inventive flavors that would make Jerry Thomas proud. Think boozy espresso shots, margarita bites, and even elderflower gin Jell-O shots. (Is your mouth watering yet?)

As for those of you who want to avoid the “traditional” (read: sugary, neon-colored) Jell-O shots, fear not! You can easily replace Jell-O with all-natural fruit juices, such as fresh lime or pomegranate juice. Add some high-quality booze and a sprinkle of imagination, and you’ll end up with a sophisticated Jell-O shot that even the snobbiest of partygoers will love.

So, there you have it – a brief but wildly entertaining dive into the history of your favorite wiggly, boozy party treat. The next time you’re knocking back a Jell-O shot (responsibly, of course!), raise your glass (or shot cup) to good ol’ Jerry Thomas, the mastermind who started it all. And hey, while you’re at it, why not create your own unique Jell-O shot recipe and continue the centuries-old tradition of getting fancy with gelatin? Just remember: stay creative, stay responsible, and above all, stay wiggly!