Grinch Jello Shots Recipe

a hand grabbing 1 of 8 grinch jello shots from a rimmed baking sheet.

Course: Craft, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 5

Set Time: 4

Total Time: 4 15

Servings: shots

Calories: 33kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

These Grinch jello shots are a holiday party hit! Made with vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, and festive green color, they’re sweet, minty, and easy to make.

Print Recipe

US Customary - Metric

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

Yield: This recipe makes 16 (1-ounce) shots or 8 (2-ounce) shots.

*For the clearest, most vibrant green color, use unflavored gelatin like Knox and stir gently to avoid bubbles.

**Vanilla vodka is key to adding sweetness to these jello shots– if you use plain vodka, you’ll need to add ¼ cup of granulated sugar to the gelatin and water in step 2.

Tips:

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: Prepare the gelatin according to the package, using all water and no alcohol. Stir in ¼ cup of granulated sugar before heating the mixture, and add a few drops of peppermint extract and green food coloring before setting.

Storage: Store Grinch jello shots covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Wait to garnish with whipped cream until just before serving.

Nutrition