The holiday season always calls for a little extra sparkle, don’t you think? These festive creamy peppermint mocha jello shots are the perfect way to add some fun to your celebrations. Imagine the smooth richness of chocolate mingling with the refreshing coolness of peppermint, all wrapped up in a playful jiggly treat. They’re as delicious as they are stunning, and trust me—they’ll be the talk of your holiday party. Whether you’re hosting friends or heading to a gathering, these jello shots are a guaranteed hit!
I first whipped these up for a holiday potluck, and let me tell you, they were gone in minutes. Everyone loved the combination of creamy mocha and peppermint—it’s like your favorite holiday coffee drink, but with a spirited twist. Plus, they’re so easy to make ahead and serve, so you can focus on enjoying the festivities instead of worrying about last-minute prep. Let’s get into it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Holiday Parties: These jello shots scream holiday cheer with their festive flavors and presentation. They’re an instant crowd-pleaser!
- Easy to Make Ahead: Prep them a day or two before your event and let them chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
- Festive and Fun: Their vibrant colors and peppermint garnish make them look like little edible ornaments.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll likely have many of these items already in your kitchen or bar cart.
- Customizable: You can tweak the alcohol content or make a kid-friendly version without compromising the flavor.
- Unforgettable Flavor: The creamy mocha base paired with peppermint is a holiday classic that everyone loves.
What sets these jello shots apart is their indulgent creaminess. A splash of coffee liqueur and peppermint schnapps makes for a sophisticated yet fun treat, while the whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies add a touch of whimsy. You don’t just eat these—you savor them!
What Ingredients You Will Need
This recipe uses classic holiday flavors combined with a boozy twist. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unflavored gelatin: This is the base for your jello shots and helps give them their perfect jiggle.
- Hot coffee: Brew a strong cup of coffee for that rich mocha flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds creaminess and sweetness to balance the coffee and peppermint.
- Peppermint schnapps: Brings the signature peppermint flavor (you can adjust the amount based on your preference).
- Coffee liqueur: Adds depth and enhances the mocha flavor. Brands like Kahlúa work beautifully.
- Cocoa powder: For that chocolaty richness.
- Vanilla extract: A small splash to round out the flavors.
- Whipped cream: Optional for topping, but it adds an extra creamy layer that’s hard to resist.
- Crushed peppermint candies: For garnish—these add crunch and a pop of holiday color.
You can find most of these ingredients at your local grocery store. If you’re not a fan of peppermint schnapps, feel free to try other flavored liqueurs like hazelnut or chocolate for a fun twist.
Equipment Needed
- Small saucepan: To dissolve the gelatin and combine your ingredients.
- Mixing bowls: For combining the liquids and flavors.
- Measuring cups: Precision is important for the perfect jello consistency.
- Whisk: To mix everything smoothly—no lumps allowed!
- Shot glasses or small cups: Silicone molds work well too if you want fun shapes.
- Non-stick spray: Helps remove the jello shots easily if you’re using molds.
If you don’t have shot glasses, no worries! You can use small plastic cups or even mini muffin tins lined with paper liners for easy serving. To clean up peppermint candies, I recommend crushing them inside a sealed plastic bag—it makes the process much less messy!
Preparation Method
- Brew the coffee: Start by brewing 1 cup of strong coffee. You’ll want it hot to dissolve the gelatin properly.
- Dissolve the gelatin: In a small saucepan, sprinkle 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom, then heat gently over low-medium heat until fully dissolved (about 2 minutes).
- Mix the liquids: In a mixing bowl, combine your hot coffee, dissolved gelatin mixture, 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup of peppermint schnapps, 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Pour into molds: Lightly coat your shot glasses, cups, or silicone molds with non-stick spray. Pour the mixture evenly into each container, leaving a little room at the top for garnish.
- Chill: Place the filled molds in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or until the jello shots are completely set.
- Add toppings: Once the jello shots are set, top them with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies. For extra flair, you can use a piping bag to make the whipped cream extra fancy.
- Serve and enjoy: Arrange the jello shots on a festive platter and serve chilled. Cheers!
Cooking Tips & Techniques
- Bloom the gelatin properly: Let the gelatin sit in cold water for a few minutes before heating it. This ensures it dissolves smoothly without clumps.
- Use strong coffee: The coffee flavor needs to hold its own against the peppermint and chocolate, so don’t skimp on the strength.
- Adjust the alcohol: If you want these to be a bit lighter on the booze, reduce the schnapps and coffee liqueur slightly, but keep the overall liquid measurements the same for proper setting.
- Get creative with presentation: Use holiday-themed molds or sprinkle edible glitter on top for that extra bit of magic.
- Serve chilled: These jello shots taste best when they’re nice and cold, so keep them in the fridge until serving.
Variations & Adaptations
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Skip the schnapps and coffee liqueur, and replace them with peppermint extract and chocolate syrup for a kid-friendly treat.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk instead of sweetened condensed milk, and top with coconut whipped cream for a vegan version.
- Flavor Twist: Swap peppermint schnapps for hazelnut or caramel liqueur to create a unique flavor profile.
- Seasonal Adaptation: Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the mixture for extra holiday spice.
Last year, I tried swapping the peppermint schnapps for a splash of orange liqueur—it created a chocolate-orange jello shot that was just as festive and delicious. Experimenting with flavors is half the fun!
Serving & Storage Suggestions
These jello shots are best served chilled. Arrange them on a holiday-themed platter or tiered stand for a picture-perfect presentation. Pair them with a mug of hot cocoa or a warm cup of coffee to keep the theme going.
To store, cover the shot glasses or molds with plastic wrap and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. If you’re using molds, pop them out just before serving for the best texture. Reheating isn’t necessary, but if you’re adding whipped cream, do so right before serving to keep it fresh.
Nutritional Information & Benefits
While these creamy peppermint mocha jello shots are a treat, they’re surprisingly light. Each shot contains approximately:
- Calories: 80-100
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 6-8g
- Protein: 2g
The peppermint can aid digestion, while the coffee provides a little caffeine boost to keep the party going. You can also make them lower-calorie by using sugar-free sweetened condensed milk.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a festive, fun way to spice up your holiday gathering, these creamy peppermint mocha jello shots are the answer. They’re easy to make, customizable, and packed with decadent flavor that’s sure to impress your guests. Plus, the adorable presentation makes them perfect for Instagram-worthy photos!
I love this recipe because it combines all my favorite holiday flavors in one playful little package. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I do. Let me know if you try any fun variations or have your own tips to share. I’d love to hear how you make these your own!
So grab your favorite holiday playlist, whip up a batch of these festive treats, and let the holiday cheer begin. Cheers to a season full of joy, laughter, and delicious moments!
FAQs
Can I make these jello shots without alcohol?
Absolutely! Just replace the peppermint schnapps with peppermint extract and use chocolate syrup instead of coffee liqueur for a non-alcoholic version.
How long do these jello shots take to set?
They typically take about 4 hours in the refrigerator to set completely. For best results, make them the night before your event.
Can I use flavored gelatin instead of unflavored gelatin?
You can, but it might alter the flavor of the mocha and peppermint combination. Stick to unflavored gelatin for the best results.
What’s the best way to crush peppermint candies?
Place the candies in a sealed plastic bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush them. This keeps the mess to a minimum!
Can I freeze these jello shots?
Freezing is not recommended as it can change the texture of the gelatin. They’re best stored in the fridge.
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Festive Peppermint Mocha Jello Shots
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
These festive creamy peppermint mocha jello shots are the perfect way to add some fun to your holiday celebrations. Imagine the smooth richness of chocolate mingling with the refreshing coolness of peppermint, all wrapped up in a playful jiggly treat.
Ingredients
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup hot coffee
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup peppermint schnapps
- 1/4 cup coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
- Crushed peppermint candies (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brew 1 cup of strong coffee and keep it hot.
- In a small saucepan, sprinkle 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom, then heat gently over low-medium heat until fully dissolved (about 2 minutes).
- In a mixing bowl, combine hot coffee, dissolved gelatin mixture, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint schnapps, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Lightly coat shot glasses, cups, or silicone molds with non-stick spray. Pour the mixture evenly into each container, leaving a little room at the top for garnish.
- Place the filled molds in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or until the jello shots are completely set.
- Once the jello shots are set, top them with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies. For extra flair, use a piping bag to make the whipped cream extra fancy.
- Arrange the jello shots on a festive platter and serve chilled.
Notes
[‘Bloom the gelatin properly by letting it sit in cold water for a few minutes before heating it.’, ‘Use strong coffee to ensure the flavor holds against the peppermint and chocolate.’, ‘Adjust the alcohol content by reducing the schnapps and coffee liqueur slightly while maintaining the overall liquid measurements.’, ‘Get creative with presentation by using holiday-themed molds or sprinkling edible glitter on top.’, ‘Serve chilled for the best taste.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jello shot
- Calories: 80100
- Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 68
- Protein: 2
Keywords: peppermint mocha, jello shots, holiday dessert, festive treats, party recipes, holiday drinks, Christmas recipes
