This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Pink peppermint jello shots are such a fun idea for the holidays. These creamy candy cane shots are prepared with peppermint schnapps and whipping cream vodka. The peppermint is perfect for the holidays while the vodka will give you a festive buzz! These festive layered jello shots for the holidays need to be on your party planning list because this Christmas shooter is always popular.
Christmas jello shots are perfect for the festive season. Great for a holiday party, these candy cane jello shots are a fun addition to any Christmas gathering.
For more delicious festive treats, consider Grinch heart cookies, tiramisu cheesecake mini trifles or stained glass Christmas cookies.
Pink Christmas Shots Ingredients
Ready to start on Christmas shots? To make these layered jello shots you will need to make a pink layer and a white layer and also a garnish. Grab some unflavoured gelatin, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, food colouring, peppermint schnapps and whipping cream vodka. If you want to garnish these you’ll also need whipped cream, sprinkles and/or crushed mini candy canes.
Whipped cream vodka works well in this Christmas shooter but use vanilla vodka or even plain vodka if you can’t find it. Another idea would be peppermint vodka and you can even double up on the peppermint flavor if you’re a fan. My favorite whipped cream-flavored vodka is made by Smirnoff. For the best results use whichever you like best though.
Any kind of sprinkles will look pretty for the garnish. Pink, red and white look especially festive with these jello shots for the holidays. Nobody can say they aren’t fun jello shots because these pink shots make the perfect holiday treat. The holiday season is full of Christmas parties which are the perfect time to go a little “extra” with the garnishes.
Choose any kind of peppermint schnapps you happen to prefer for these Christmas shots. You’re also going to need 8 shot glasses to serve these (or more if you’re making more pink peppermint jello shots).
The 99 Brand makes a huge selection of highly-popular, high-proof schnapps, all of which are easily found at most liquor stores. If you’d prefer, you can substitute the 99 Peppermint for a peppermint-flavored vodka such as Smirnoff Peppermint Twist Vodka. This holiday spirit is usually pretty easy to find as are the little plastic cups for serving.
How to Make Festive Layered Jello Shots
These creamy candy cane shots take a while to make because the jello layers have to set. Mix gelatin and cold water in a pan and let the jello crystals soak up the liquid. Next you can whisk the mixture and stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Finally mix in the vodka. This is going to be the white layer of your holiday jello shots.
To make the pink layer for your pink peppermint jello shots, mix gelatin, sugar and cold water in another pan. Add sweetened condensed milk and then food colouring and peppermint schnapps. Let both mixtures thicken up a bit at room temperature.
To assemble this pink jello shots recipe, add the pink layer first then freeze it. Next add some of the white mixture and freeze. Repeat the layers, letting the layered jello shots set before adding a new layer. By now you’ll be excited about upcoming holiday parties and how everybody is going to love these peppermint schnapps shots.
Garnishing the Creamy Candy Cane Shots
The last step is to garnish the pink peppermint jello shots with whipped cream, crushed candy canes and sprinkles. Although these ingredients are optional they really go well with the Christmas shooter and look pretty.
You can also add a mini candy cane to each one. This both looks cute and also makes it easier to get these jello shots for the holidays out of the glass.
I used a mixture of several types of sprinkles I had on hand, but feel free to mix your own. In addition to the Peppermint Crunch, I used a mix of Candy Cane-Shaped Sprinkles, Pink Sugar Pearls, Red Jimmies, and Pearlescent White Sprinklefetti. Choose the best liquor and your preferred candies and the peppermint vodka shots will come out incredible and be a huge hit.
If you’re making these ahead, that’s fine. Arrange them on a platter or tray then cover them all with plastic wrap. You can refrigerate these peppermint schnapps and whipping cream vodka shots for a day or so. Although they will taste fine after that, the layers will start to merge into one another eventually. Christmas shot recipes like this are easy to make the day prior.
These cute pink peppermint jello shots are festive so you can make them anytime during the holidays. Christmas and New Year are always fun times to make jello shots for the holidays or perhaps you are going to a party over the holidays. If you can think of an excuse to make this Christmas shooter, grab it! This candy cane fudge is delicious cut into small squares and served with these Christmas jello shots.
What is Schnapps Anyway?
Everyone knows the word but what qualifies something as schnapps? The word refers to a distilled spirit but there are two kinds of schnapps – European and American. European style schnapps is a strong diluted spirit typically made with fruit brandies and drunk as a shot.
American style schnapps is usually prepared by steeping fruit in alcohol and this style is sweeter than the European one. American schnapps is a popular addition to mixed drinks rather than being served as a shooter since it’s sweet.
These peppermint schnapps and whipping cream vodka shots can be tweaked if you want. As well as changing the type of vodka for another flavour, you can use different colours or take your pick from different garnishes. A maraschino cherry on the whipped cream would be pretty or you could use red and green sprinkles. I just love the pink, white and red look of these layered jello shots though!
And of course because you can prepare them ahead (well, you need to, so the jello sets) that will free up your time later when you want to enjoy the party not be stuck in the corner making drinks!
Christmas Pink Peppermint Jello Shots Recipe
Christmas Pink Peppermint Jello Shots with Vodka and Schnapps
Ingredients
For the white layers
- 2/3 Cup water, cold
- 1 Envelope gelatin, unflavored, 0.25-ounce/7 gram, such as Knox Gelatine
- 5 Tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1/3 Cup vodka, whipped cream flavored·, such as Smirnoff Whipped Cream
For the pink layers:
- 2/3 Cup water, cold
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 Envelope gelatin , unflavored, 0.25-ounce/7 gram, such as Knox Gelatine
- 1 Tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 1/3 Cup schnapps, high-proof peppermint. I prefer 99-proof 99 Peppermint for this recipe
- 2 Drops food coloring, liquid red
For the garnish (optional):
- whipped cream
- sprinkles , mix of pink, red, and white
- candy canes, crushed, make your own or Wilton PepperMint Crunch
Instructions
For the white layers:
- In a small saucepan, add cold water, sprinkling gelatin on its surface. Allow the gelatin to bloom for 3 to 5 minutes or until all of the gelatin granules have soaked-up liquid.
- Over medium heat, whisk until gelatin has completely dissolved. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Add whipped cream flavored vodka. Stir to mix. Transfer to a heatproof container with a pour spout such as a glass measuring cup. Set aside at room-temperature.
For the pink layers:
- In the same small saucepan, add cold water and sugar. Again, sprinkle the contents of one gelatin packet on the surface of the water. Allow it to bloom for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Over medium heat, whisk until gelatin and sugar have completely dissolved. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Add peppermint schnapps and food coloring. Stir to mix. Transfer into another heat-proof container with a pour spout. Set aside at room-temperature.
To assemble the shots:
- Beginning with the pink layer, add about 2 teaspoons to a 1.5-ounce disposable shot glass. Place into the freezer for about 5 minutes or until the top of the gelatin is firm. You should be able to touch the top of the Jello with your finger and it should not stick.
- Before pouring your next layer, assure that the white liquid it is at room temperature, which prevents bleeding of the colors into the other layers. Add enough of the white liquid to match the width of the pink layer. Again, place in the freezer for 5 minutes. Continue this process for each layer until the gelatin reaches the top of the shot glass. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Top with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, and sprinkles just before serving.
Nutrition
Any Christmas get-together is the perfect occasion for these pink peppermint jello shots. These Christmas shots are easy to make and everyone is going to be impressed with your creamy candy cane shots.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These are absolutely adorable! I’ve never had peppermint vodka but this sounds so delicious!!!