Made with candy cane vodka and sweetened condensed milk, Candy Cane Jello Shots taste just like the classic Christmas candy. These layered jello shots are made with only 5 ingredients and are super festive. Perfect for your next holiday party!
For another cute candy candy cane treat, don’t miss our easy candy cane kiss brownie bites.
Easy Layered Christmas Jello Shots
How fun are these candy cane jello shots?! I used candy cane vodka, which is usually easily found during the holiday season, red food coloring, and sweetened condensed milk to mimic both the colors and flavor of candy canes. These layered Christmas jello shots are both festive and tasty!
While layered jello shots may look complicated, these are actually quite easy. The only difference between these and making, say, apple pie jello shots, is that you need to refrigerate them for 20 minutes between each layer instead of adding all of the jello at once.
Top with some homemade whipped cream and candy cane sprinkles before serving and these will be a guaranteed hit with the adults at any holiday get together.
Ingredients Needed
These easy Christmas jello shots are made with just 5 ingredients – including water!
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Water – Boiling water dissolves the gelatin.
- Unflavored gelatin – The jello in the jello shots. Unflavored gelatin is used in both the white and red layers to keep things simple.
- Red food coloring – Red food coloring is used to give the red layers their color.
- Candy cane vodka – Adds the minty traditional candy cane flavor to the shots.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Gives the white layer a true white color, plus adds some sweetness.
Can I Use Different Liquor To Make These Jello Shots?
How to Make Candy Cane Jello Shots
These layered jello shots truly aren’t any more difficult to make than basic jello shots, though they do take just a bit more hands-on time to assemble the layers.
(Scroll down to the printable recipe card for details and measurements, and don’t miss the video below.)
- Make the red layer. Pour boiling water over the unflavored gelatin and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in the red food coloring until candy cane red is achieved. Add the vodka.
- Make the white layer. Pour the boiling water over the gelatin and stir to dissolve the gelatin. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, followed by the vodka.
- Assemble the layer shots. Place plastic shot glasses on a plate or baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon of red jello to each one. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. Top with a white layer of jello and chill for another 20 minutes. Repeat with the remaining red and white jello mixtures, chilling for at least 20 minutes between each one.
- Garnish and serve. Once the final layer has set and you’re ready to serve, top each jello shot with whipped cream and candy cane sprinkles.
Tips for the Best Jello Shots
Here are a few tips and things to keep in mind when making these candy cane jello shots.
- Don’t refrigerate the unused jello. Cover the unused jello and leave it out at room temperature while the layers are setting up in the fridge. If you chill it, it will set just like the other jello.
- Avoid the white layer turning pink. If the liquid starts to set too soon, you’ll need to rewarm the mixture in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it has all melted again. BUT make certain the jello is not at all warm to the touch or the red food colorings will bleed and turn the white layer into a pink layer.
- How long do these jello shots need to chill? Since we’re just adding a tablespoon of jello at a time, 20 minutes is typically enough for the jello to set between layers. I do recommend that once the final layer is added, you let them chill for an additional 1 to 2 hours to set completely.
- Chill the vodka. Using chilled vodka is ideal as it will help cool the jello mixture so these set quicker.
Serving Suggestions
Before serving, I like to top these Christmas jello shots with some whipped cream and candy cane sprinkles. Instead of the sprinkles, you could also top these with some crushed candy canes or even a mini candy cane.
The best way to serve these is with a tasting spoon. While most jello shots can be enjoyed in one piece, these are quite tall and big, so they’re not ideal for taking as a “shot”. Spoons definitely make enjoying these easier!
Video: Christmas Layered Jello Shots
How to Store Jello Shots
Keep your candy cane jello shots refrigerated until serving. If they’ll be in the fridge for more than a few hours, I recommend covering them – either with lids if your cups have them or some plastic wrap.
Jello shots will last for up to 5 days in the fridge. (Though the whipped cream won’t, so add the toppings only when serving.) Since these jello shots are made with sweetened condensed milk, I don’t recommend freezing them.
More Christmas Cocktail Recipes:
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Cinnamon Roll Cocktail
- Jack Frost Winter Cocktail
- Homemade Eggnog
- Sugar Cookie Martini
- Brandy Alexander Milkshake
- Dirty Snowman
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Candy Cane Jello Shots
Ingredients
FOR THE RED LAYER
- 1 cup water
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin
- red food coloring
- 4 ounces candy cane vodka
FOR THE WHITE LAYER
- 1 cup water
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 4 ounces candy cane vodka
FOR SERVING
- 15 plastic shot glasses
- Whipped cream
- Candy cane sprinkles
Instructions
Make the Red Layer
- Bring your water to a boil, pour over the unflavored gelatin, and stir until all the gelatin has dissolved.
- Add in red food coloring until you get a candy cane red.
- Stir in the candy cane vodka.
Make the White Layer
- Bring your water to a boil, pour over the unflavored gelatin, and stir until all the gelatin has dissolved.
- Add in the sweetened condensed milk.
- Stir in the candy cane vodka.
Assemble
- Place 15 plastic shot glasses onto a plate.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the red jello mixture into the glasses, and transfer them to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Top the red layer with 1 tablespoon of the white jello mixture, and transfer them to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Top the white layer with 1 tablespoon of the white jello mixture, and transfer them to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Top the red layer with 1 tablespoon of the white jello mixture, and transfer them to the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, preferably 1 to 2 hours to set completely.
- Right before serving, pipe the whipped cream onto the jello shots and sprinkle with the candy cane sprinkles. NOTE: Don't miss the important tips below.
