It is no secret that Independence Day is basically synonymous for barbecues. But when you are all about vegan eats, finding party food can be a real challenge. So, why not take matters into your own hands? A treat like these red, white, and blue vegan jello shots will save the day. After all, ditching animal products does not mean you cannot get in on the fun, especially the alcoholic kind.

You can thank agar agar, a substance that comes from algae. It is purely plant-based, unlike normal gelatin. The latter is made from various animal body parts like skin, bones, and goodness knows what else. Often, those parts are from cows or pigs. Agar agar also has a slightly different consistency. It is tougher and sets much faster than gelatin. But once you get the hang of using it, you will not even notice these differences.

In general, eating vegan has many health benefits. And it is no different with agar agar. Every jello shot is a stellar source of fiber, a nutrient that promotes healthy digestion and controls cholesterol levels. Plus, this recipe even calls for easy homemade coconut cream rum. Score.

While you are at it, top things off with vegan Fourth of July recipes. I will gladly toast to that.

Kirsten Nunez

Yields: 8 jello shots

Ingredients:

2 cups vodka or clear rum

3 cups water

1 cup vegan coconut cream rum (coconut creamer and dark rum)*

Rose grenadine

Blue food coloring

Agar agar powder

For this project, I used a less expensive bottle of vodka for the sake of experimentation. Feel free to use any brand of vodka or rum that you like.

Coconut Cream Rum

Before starting, make a cup of vegan coconut rum. Combine 1/2 cup coconut creamer and 1/2 cup dark rum. Alternatively, you can just the clear rum that you're already using.

You don't need to follow the 1:1 proportion. Use more coconut creamer to lighten it up, or more rum to make it stronger. As long as the final measurement is 1 cup, you're good to go.

Kirsten Nunez

1. For each layer, combine 1 cup of room temperature water with 1 teaspoon agar agar powder. Mix well.

Kirsten Nunez

2. Place over medium-high heat. As it heats up, mix continuously to avoid clumping. Bring to a boil then let cool slightly.

Kirsten Nunez

3. Add 1 cup alcohol and 3 to 4 tablespoons rose grenadine. You can add more or less depending on the preferred shade of red. Mix well.

Kirsten Nunez

4. Let the mixture cool a little more. Add to mini plastic cups, filling up about 1/3 of the way. Cool in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.

Agar agar gel hardens pretty quickly. It'll set in 20 to 30 minutes, but one hour is your safest bet. Pressed for time? Stick it in the freezer. They'll be ready for the next layer in half an hour.

Kirsten Nunez

5. Repeat Steps 1 and 2. This time, add 1 cup coconut cream rum. Mix well.

Kirsten Nunez

6. Fill the next 1/3 of the cups. Let it cool and set.

Kirsten Nunez

7. Repeat Steps 1 and 2. Add 1 cup vodka, and 5 to 6 drops of blue food coloring, according to your preferred shade. Mix well.

Kirsten Nunez

8. Fill the last 1/3 of the cups. Let cool and harden.

Kirsten Nunez

Depending on the size of your mini plastic cups, this recipe will make about eight shots.

Drink up, party people. Happy Jul. 4!