I love bringing some mischievous fun to my holiday parties with these Grinch jello shots! Made with vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, and a splash of festive green food coloring, my Grinch shots taste like a sweet, minty candy cane in jiggly form. They’re simple to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to get everyone smiling just like the Grinch when his heart grows three sizes! You can even make Grinch jello cups without alcohol so the whole family can join the fun.
Grinch Jello Shots with Vodka and Peppermint Schnapps
These Grinch jello shots with vodka have the perfect mix of creamy vanilla sweetness and cool peppermint flavor. The combination of vanilla vodka and peppermint schnapps gives them that classic holiday dessert taste, like a wintery cocktail meets dessert. For the best texture, I recommend using unflavored powdered gelatin instead of Jell-O brand mixes, which are too sweet and won’t firm up properly. I recommend Knox gelatine for a smooth, even set.
If you want to switch it up, try making layered peppermint jello shots with a red cherry layer underneath, or serve them with whipped cream and red heart sprinkles to complete the Grinch theme. They’re a total showstopper for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or even adult-friendly movie nights.
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How to Make Jello Shots That Actually Set
The secret to perfectly firm, flavorful Grinch jello cups comes down to balance. The ideal ratio is 1 cup total liquid per envelope of gelatin, keeping your alcohol under half that amount. That means your shots will hold their shape while still packing plenty of holiday spirit. Using this ratio, you’ll get smooth, stable Grinch shots that look as good as they taste.
Grinch Jello Shots Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups water
- 0.5 ounces unflavored powdered gelatin (2 (0.25-ounce) envelopes)*
- ⅛ teaspoon green gel food coloring
- ⅓ cup peppermint schnapps
- ⅓ cup vanilla vodka **
Optional Garnishes
- Whipped cream
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Place your shot glasses or plastic cups on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Add the water to a medium saucepan and sprinkle over the gelatin. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.1¼ cups water, 0.5 ounces unflavored powdered gelatin
- Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and gently cook it until the gelatin has dissolved. Make sure not to boil the gelatin!
- Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the green food coloring. Add the peppermint schnapps and vanilla vodka and mix to combine.⅛ teaspoon green gel food coloring, ⅓ cup vanilla vodka, ⅓ cup peppermint schnapps
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl or pitcher with a pour spout and fill your cups almost all the way to the top.
- Cover the cups with their lids or plastic wrap and chill them in the fridge for 4 hours, or until set.
- To serve, enjoy as is or top with whipped cream and a sprinkle heart.Whipped cream, Heart-shaped sprinkles
Notes
- There’s the equivalent to one shot of alcohol in 4 (1-ounce) jello shots, so it’ll take a bit longer to feel the effects than it would with a straight shot.
- Don’t boil the gelatin mixture or else the alcohol could burn off.
- Use chilled vodka and schnapps. Adding cold alcohol helps your gelatin set properly and keeps the texture smooth
- If the ratio of alcohol to water is off, the Jello might not set properly, leading to runny shots. Be sure to follow the recipe exactly and do not increase the amount of alcohol. I promise these shots are plenty strong!
- Let the liquid for the jello shots cool to room temperature before pouring into shot glasses. If it’s too hot, it could melt plastic shot glasses or crack glass ones.
- For a fun layered look, make a batch of red cherry Jello shots, chill until set, then top with the green mixture for a Grinch-y red and green combo.
- Wait to add the whipped cream until just before serving. If left out for too long, it will melt off.
- Serve the shots in clear cups so the green color shines through, and add a little red sanding sugar around the rim before setting for a festive touch
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Non-Alcoholic Grinch Jello for Kids
Planning a party and in need of a family-friendly fun treat? Look no further! I make non-alcoholic Grinch jello for my kids all the time!
- Prepare the gelatin according to the instructions on the package (using all water and no alcohol).
- Stir in ¼ cup of granulated sugar before heating the mixture.
- Add a couple of drops of peppermint extract with the food coloring.
- Pour into small plastic cups and allow to set.
- Top with whipped cream and heart sprinkles.
How to Make Grinch Jello Shots Step-by-Step
Prep: Gather up everything you need to make these grinch shots. Place your shot glasses or plastic cups on a rimmed baking sheet. I recommend chilling your vodka and schnapps before beginning to help the jello set a little faster, but it’s not strictly necessary.
Bloom the Gelatin: Add 1¼ cups of water to a medium saucepan and sprinkle over 0.5 ounces (2 envelopes) of unflavored gelatin. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. This will help hydrate the gelatin.
Dissolve the Gelatin: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and gently cook it until the gelatin has dissolved. Make sure not to boil the gelatin!
Add the Alcohol: Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in ⅛ teaspoon of green food coloring. Add ⅓ cup of peppermint schnapps and ⅓ cup of vanilla vodka and mix to combine. Resist the temptation to add more alcohol; it will prevent the jello from setting properly!
Chill the Shots: Transfer the mixture to a bowl or pitcher (I recommend letting it cool to room temperature before pouring into plastic cups to avoid melting them!) with a pour spout and fill your cups almost all the way to the top. Cover the cups with their lids or plastic wrap and chill them in the fridge for 4 hours, or until set.
Top and Serve: To serve, enjoy as is or top with whipped cream and a sprinkle heart. Wait to add the whipped cream until just before serving so it doesn’t melt off!
How to Store
Store leftover Grinch jello shots covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I do not recommend freezing jello shots, as freezing can ruin the texture. However, jello shots are technically safe to freeze for up to 4 months. I recommend leaving the whipped cream garnish off until you’re ready to serve.
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