# A Jello shots question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874 "2002-12-31T15:31:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mammie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/49beb7/32.png) [@Mammie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mammie)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/1 "2002-12-31T15:31:24Z")
Is it illegal to transport Jello shots in your car? For instance, if you were going to a party (sober) and taking some with you and you were pulled over by the police, could and would you be arrested? Would it be considered “open alcohol?” ---
**Author:** ![mrbuddylee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@mrbuddylee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrbuddylee)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/2 "2002-12-31T15:54:38Z")
put them in your trunk. 1. It’s not accessable while you’re driving, and 2) they probably won’t search your trunk unless you’re acting like a maniac. As far as legality goes, i haven’t the slightest, but I’d imagine you’re safe. As long as they’re in your trunk, and not in reach or open while driving. That makes sense to me, but there are a lot of laws that don’t make any sense, so who knows… ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/3 "2002-12-31T16:00:57Z")
Educate this furriner… Does the “open alcohol” rule mean something that has been opened already (and would that mean you couldn’t bring your half-finished 50-year-old single malt to a connoiseurs’ club)? Or does it just mean an open container? If the jello shots were sealed in tupperware, would that be OK? Or would the alcohol have been “processed” by making it into a solid? Would, therefore, a well-liquored Christmas cake in the trunk also be breaking the law? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/4 "2002-12-31T16:15:23Z")
The “open container” law is to nail folks who were about to drink while driving, or were in the process but aren’t legally drunk yet. IANAC (cop), but I would suspect that a bottle of liquor with the seal broken would be just as likely to get you nailed (as you simply could put the cap back before the officer came up to the car). Similarly, jello shots in a tupperware container could just have the lid popped closed before the cop walks up. Thus **mrbuddylee** ’s suggestion of placing any suspect items in the trunk is best - you have no access to them while driving. I’m not sure if an alcohol-laden cake would be “trouble” if you had it in your car. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/5 "2002-12-31T16:15:47Z")
Open bottle means with the seal cracked. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/6 "2002-12-31T16:52:08Z")
I would think that if you are sober, and have no other reason to be stopped, you would be fine wherever or however the jello-shots are transported. I cant imagine a cop giving a ticket for the transportation of a suspected alcohol based gelatin dessert. He’d have to be pretty damn bored or a real dickhead to do so. He would likely have to prove that the little cups of jello contained alcohol, which, without just cause (again, you are sober, and have no other reason to be pulled over) is illegal search and seizure, isn’t it? So make sure there are some NA ones for the kiddies, and enjoy the party! ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/7 "2002-12-31T17:01:02Z")
When making the jello shots, do you substitute vodka for **all** of the water or just half of the water? ---
**Author:** ![teemingONE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@teemingONE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teemingONE)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/8 "2002-12-31T17:17:29Z")
can someone give me good instructions on how to make tequilla jello shots? ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/9 "2002-12-31T17:51:54Z")
Ferret Herder has it right. If the officer knew they were alcololic they would be considered to be in an open container if in reach of the driver. This is New Year’s Eve. Don’t take chances. They ARE out there. :eek: BTW, Where’s the party? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/10 "2002-12-31T17:58:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*When making the jello shots, do you substitute vodka for **all** of the water or just half of the water? \*\* Boil water, add jello mix, then when it’s time to add the cold water, substitue your liquor of choice. Vodka is traditional, but there’s no reason you couldn’t use tequila, **teemingONE**. And yes, if you have open alcohol, put it in your trunk. Open container laws only apply if they are within easy access of the driver. ---
**Author:** ![High\_Deity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9a140/32.png) [@High\_Deity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/High_Deity)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/11 "2002-12-31T18:44:26Z")
vodka + orange jello = yum. and it’s only logical that the seal has to be open for it to be considered an opened container. if not, it would be illegal to drive home from a liquor store. and tequilla shots are just like the vokda ones. half and half, and use lime jello. salt optional (don’t add to the mix, take it with the shot). ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/12 "2002-12-31T18:56:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ferret Herder \* > \*\*The “open container” law is to nail folks who were about to drink while driving, or were in the process but aren’t legally drunk yet. IANAC (cop), but I would suspect that a bottle of liquor with the seal broken would be just as likely to get you nailed (as you simply could put the cap back before the officer came up to the car). Similarly, jello shots in a tupperware container could just have the lid popped closed before the cop walks up. Thus **mrbuddylee** ’s suggestion of placing any suspect items in the trunk is best - you have no access to them while driving. > > I’m not sure if an alcohol-laden cake would be “trouble” if you had it in your car. \*\* So if I have a semi naked woman whose belly button smells of tequila, I could get arrested for open body shot container??! what is the world coming to?!! ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/13 "2002-12-31T19:27:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by X~Slayer(ALE) \* > \*\*So if I have a semi naked woman whose belly button smells of tequila, I could get arrested for open body shot container??! > > what is the world coming to?!! \*\* Finish the shot and you won’t have a problem 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mammie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/49beb7/32.png) [@Mammie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mammie)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/14 "2002-12-31T20:02:54Z")
I’m glad I asked that question! 😃 High Deity, I’ve heard those Lime Jello/Tequila shots are good but hadn’t thought about the salt. Thanks for the idea. Actually, Jake, no party for me because I’m on call tonight. It was just one of my off the wall thoughts that led to the question, so I thought I’d ask the experts! 😉 Happy New Year! ---
**Author:** ![beefymeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@beefymeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beefymeg)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/15 "2002-12-31T20:09:20Z")
Since we’re here, another couple Qs: Does a case of beer that’s missing a bottle (or can, if you prefer) or two constitute an “open container?” AND Is it illegal to carry an unopened container down the street? Can I walk home from the liquor store with a full case of beer or an uncracked bottle of Malibu? ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/16 "2002-12-31T20:13:39Z")
I used to work in a convenience store and was told that it was illegal to give the customers their alcohol without some sort of bag covering their purchase. I don’t know if that was true or if it was told to me just to make sure they got the bag but there you go. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/17 "2002-12-31T20:33:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by beefymeg \* > \*\*Since we’re here, another couple Qs: > > Does a case of beer that’s missing a bottle (or can, if you prefer) or two constitute an “open container?” > > AND > > Is it illegal to carry an unopened container down the street? Can I walk home from the liquor store with a full case of beer or an uncracked bottle of Malibu? \*\* NO. and NO. Not in Florida anyway. YMMV. I am sure it’s similar where you are because people without cars still need to be able to get their groceries home. Even if groceries is only a 40oz. Also, Florida specifically refers to “Possession of open containers of alcoholic _beverages_ in vehicles” ss. 316.1936 (italics mine) You could get away with alcoholic food or candy. Woohoo!! ---
**Author:** ![Melraidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Melraidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melraidin)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/18 "2002-12-31T21:16:44Z")
To Aesiron’s question (re: bags required?): As far as I know the alcohol must be in a bag, and in a closed bottle to be transported. This is in Burlington, ON, Canada, so YMMV. No cite with me, going based on readings suggested by a lawyer friend. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/19 "2002-12-31T21:29:55Z")
I’d guess that the laws vary by state. Here in Louisiana, we have drive through liquor stores that will hand you a frozen daquiri with the straw already in it. But that’s an open container, right? Nope, they leave the top half of the wrapper on the straw… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@kitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitty)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874/20 "2003-01-01T03:44:20Z")
Jeepers, we have beer listed on the Drive-Thru menu at McDonalds…a concept I still don’t understand. If this duplicates, I apologize. I had trouble signing in. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jello-shots-question/145874.md?page=2)