To spice up your next holiday party Grinch jello shots are a festive treat! This easy Grinch jello shots recipe combines flavor of lime and sour apple (Grinch appropriate) for a delicious combination your party guests will love! Grinch’s heart included.
The holiday season is a time for fun recipes and this Grinch jello shot recipe fits right in. They are a huge hit for Christmas parties and full of holiday spirit.
Instead of plain vodka we combined sour apple schnaps with the lime green gelatin for fun Grinch jello shots that taste great too! This elevates the classic jello shot to match a festive Christmas celebration. These are great to mix in with your favorite Christmas cocktail recipes for you next Christmas party.
For a full Grinch celebration pair these with our Grinch Punch (non-alcoholic), Grinch Cakes and these easy Grinch Treats (a healthy spin). Great for watching the Grinch movie! We included a non-alcoholic version in Variations below too.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Specific recipe ingredient quantities in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Green (lime) jello. This recipe uses a 6 ounce package of lime Jell-o. It has the signature Grinch green color and delicious flavor.
- Boiling water. To make jello shots you’ll use both boiling water and cold water. The boiling water is needed to dissolve the jello.
- Sour Apple Schnapps. We love the combination of sour apple and lime in these jello shots! We used Sour Apple Schnaps. You could also use Sour Apple Pucker (which is also Schnaps) or Sour Apple Vodka.
- Icy cold water. This is mixed in with the liquor to provide the correct amount of liquid for the jello shots to set properly.
- Condiment cups. You’ve seen these jello shot cups but they are really 2-ounce condiment cups. I used Diamond brand ‘mini cups’ which can be found at the grocery store or online. They are used for snacks, condiments or jello shots. They work great because they are pliable (making it easy to squeeze the shot out of the container) and have a lid for easy storing. We like these better than plastic shot glasses because it’s easier to get the jell-o shots out.
- Grinch hearts. Adding whipped cream and a red heart gives that Grinch Stole Christmas finishing touch on these festive jello shots. We added some red sprinkles too. You can find red candy hearts in the baking section of grocery stores, craft stores with a baking section or online. Same with red jimmies sprinkles.
How to make Christmas Jello Shots
STEP 1. Dissolve the jello
Boil the water in a medium saucepan. In a large mixing bowl or glass large measuring cup combine the boiling water and powdered jello. Whisk until the jello has dissolved (photo 1).
STEP 2. Make the shots
Add the cold water and sour apple schnaps to the jello mixture. Stir to combine.
STEP 3. Chill
Pour the mixture into the jello shot containers filling slightly over 3/4 full. This works best with a glass measuring cup to direct the liquid into the cups. (photo 2)
Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the lids. This prevents condensation from forming on the lids and dripping onto the shots.
Place in the refrigerator until fully set. Setting time can vary but plan for 2-4 hours. Be sure the containers are level; if needed they can be placed on a cookie sheet before chilling.
STEP 4. Serving
When ready to serve top with whipped cream and a red heart or maraschino cherry. Top just before serving.
Variations
- To just have lime flavor: substitute the apple schnaps with plain vodka.
- Try lemon vodka instead of apple schnapps for a lemon-lime flavor combination.
- How to make a non-alcoholic Grinch shot: replace the apple schnaps with plain water for non alcoholic jello shots.
- Want to halve the recipe? That’s easy. Use half the ingredients amount: 1 cup boiling water, 3 ounce package of jello, 1/2 cup apple schnapps, 1/2 cup cold water. This will make 12 jello shots.
- Use this recipe for any jello shots. This recipe can be used for any type of jello shots keeping the ingredient amounts the same. You can substitute any type of alcohol (usually unflavored vodka is used) and any flavor/color of jello.
- Want some red jello shots too? Split the recipe in half and make two batches. Use one 3 ounce package of lime jello mix for one batch and one 3 ounce package of red jello (strawberry jell-o, raspberry jello, etc). You can use the measurements above in the halving the recipe instructions. Consider the flavor match with apple schapps or switch the liquor to plain vodka instead.
How to Store
The jello shots can be stored for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. For best appearance consume them close to when they were first made.
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Recipe
Grinch Jello Shots
Ingredients
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 6-ounce package green lime jello
- 1 cup very cold water
- 1 cup sour apple schnapps
- 25 2-ounce plastic snack/condiment containers
- red candy hearts optional
- whipped cream
- red sprinkes
Instructions
- Boil the water in a medium saucepan. In a large mixing bowl or large glass measuring cup combine the boiling water and powdered jello. Whisk until the jello has dissolved.2 cups boiling water, 1 6-ounce package green lime jello
- Add the cold water and sour apple schnaps to the jello mixture. Stir to combine.1 cup very cold water, 1 cup sour apple schnapps
- Pour the mixture into the jello shot containers filling slightly over 3/4 full. This works best with a glass measuring cup to direct the liquid into the cups. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the lids. This prevents condensation from forming on the lids and dripping onto the shots.25 2-ounce plastic snack/condiment containers
- Place in the refrigerator until fully set. Setting time can vary but plan for 2-4 hours. Be sure the containers are level; if needed they can be placed on a cookie sheet before chilling.
- When ready to serve top with whipped cream and a red heart or maraschino cherry. Top just before serving.red candy hearts, whipped cream, red sprinkes
Kate says
These jello shots went down a treat at our Christmas party!
jess says
these jello shots are everything and more my friends and I were looking for! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
Shelby says
These are such a fun and festive treat for the holidays! I can’t think of a better way to get the party started!
Kathleen says
These are so fun, festive and seriously delicious. I will definitely have to make these for my friends.
Beth says
You make enough of these, and everyone’s heart will grow three sizes. They’ll all be lit! I love the look at the flavor of these shots. They’re definitely going to be making an appearance at our Christmas party.
Jessica says
These were such a hit at our party! Now I’m the one who is supposed to bring the fun every year to our party, haha!