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Let me share these amazing Grinch Jello Shots with you! They're my favorite holiday party trick combining festive green jello with peppermint schnapps and vanilla vodka. Topped with a swirl of whipped cream and that cute little red heart they're just like the Grinch himself perfectly festive with a playful twist!
Pure Party Magic
What makes these shots so special is their perfect blend of mint and vanilla flavors plus they look absolutely stunning! I love that I can make them ahead which makes hosting so much easier. Every time I serve these they're the talk of the party.
Your Grinchy Shopping List
- Cold Water (1 cup): Used to dissolve the gelatin properly.
- Unflavored Powdered Gelatin (2 packets): Provides the base for the shots; look for Knox or similar brands.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: Essential for achieving the Grinch's signature vibrant green hue.
- Peppermint Schnapps (½ cup): Adds a festive minty kick.
- Vanilla Vodka (½ cup): Pinnacle, Smirnoff, or Absolut work well; enhances the sweetness.
- Whipped Cream: For a creamy topping.
- Red Sprinkle Hearts: A fun garnish to complete the Grinchy look.
- Shot Glasses (16 1-ounce or 8 2-ounce): Perfect for serving individual portions.
Let's Make Some Magic
- Prepare the Cups
- Place the shot glasses or plastic cups on a rimmed cookie sheet for easy transport to the fridge.
- Dissolve the Gelatin
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of cold water with unflavored gelatin powder. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
- Heat the Mixture
- Gently heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Avoid boiling.
- Add Color and Flavors
- Remove from heat and whisk in green gel food coloring until evenly mixed. Stir in peppermint schnapps and vanilla vodka.
- Pour and Chill
- Transfer the mixture to a measuring cup with a spout. Pour into shot glasses, filling each nearly to the top. Cover with lids or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set.
- Garnish and Serve
- Just before serving, top each shot with whipped cream and a red sprinkle heart for decoration.
Mix It Up
Love experimenting with these! Try using lime Jello for extra zing or regular vodka with a touch of sugar. You can even make them non-alcoholic with peppermint extract. Sometimes I'll use a strawberry slice instead of the heart it looks just as cute!
Perfect Every Time
Always use Knox gelatin for the best results and never let that mixture boil! A measuring cup with a spout makes filling the shots so much easier. I can make these up to 4 days ahead but always save the whipped cream and hearts for serving time.
Keep Them Fresh
These shots stay perfect in the fridge for up to 4 days just keep them tightly covered. Remember to hold off on the toppings until right before serving that way they look and taste their absolute best.
Serve With Style
I love arranging these on a festive tray right from the fridge. Add that swirl of whipped cream and the red heart right before serving it makes such a beautiful presentation. They're always a hit at holiday parties!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these non-alcoholic?
- Yes, you can replace the alcohol with water or clear sodas like Sprite. Add a few drops of peppermint extract for mint flavor. The texture will be similar but they won't have the alcoholic content.
- → How far in advance can I make these?
- You can make these jello shots up to 2-3 days in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator. Wait to add the whipped cream and heart sprinkle garnish until just before serving.
- → Why can't we boil the gelatin mixture?
- Boiling gelatin can damage its setting properties and result in shots that won't firm up properly. Heat just until the gelatin dissolves completely for the best texture.
- → Can I use regular jello instead of unflavored gelatin?
- Yes, you can use lime jello as noted in the recipe. Use 3oz package with 1 cup boiling water and 1/2-1 cup vodka. The flavor and sweetness will be different from the original recipe.
- → Why use vanilla vodka specifically?
- Vanilla vodka provides sweetness and flavor. If using regular vodka, add 1/4 cup white sugar to maintain the right sweetness level. The vanilla complements the peppermint flavor.