Pudding Shots are the drink/dessert combo you need for your next adult get-together! Requiring only 5 minutes of prep and 4 ingredients, you can make these with your choice of instant pudding and booze flavors.
Even though Jello Shots are the go-to classic when it comes to bringing on the fun. But did you know you can make Pudding Shots, too? Yep, boozy pudding is a thing and it’s delicious!
Like with Jello shots, you can make these boozy bites with a ton of tasty variations. Made with smooth pudding and flavored alcohol or liqueur, these treats are always a huge hit!
Just remember, you’ll want to keep them far away from the kiddos — they’re for adults only!
Whip up Pudding Shots in about 5 minutes, refrigerate for 30, then serve in plastic shot cups or shot glasses. Top with whipped cream and decorative garnishes and they’re ready to serve!
If it’s the holiday season, you might also enjoy my Eggnog Pudding Shots!
What’s In Them?
Pudding Shots are made with 4 major components: instant pudding mix, alcohol/liqueur, milk, and Cool Whip. You can mix and match the pudding and booze for endless flavor combinations, and feel free to go all out with extra add-ons!
- Instant Pudding – This magic powder contains ingredients that absorb liquid to form pudding texture instantly (you cannot substitute it for Cook & Serve).
- Milk – Make sure it’s COLD so it can react with the instant pudding mix.
- Alcohol/Liqueur – This should also be cold when combined with the pudding mix. But it’s not the end of the world if you forget to chill it. Check out some of my favorite booze/pudding pairings below!
- Cool Whip – This is my secret for giving Pudding Shots an extra creamy texture!
How To Make Them:
- Add pudding mix, milk, and alcohol to a medium mixing bowl and whisk together for 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the thawed cool whip until fully combined.
- Let the mixture set for 5 minutes.
Then evenly divide the mixture among the shot glasses or cups and place in the refrigerator to set for at least 30 minutes. I like to use a medium cookie scoop for this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! As easy as they are to prepare the day of serving, you can certainly make any of these Pudding Shot recipes up to 1 week in advance. Store them in the refrigerator after making. I like to make them in these disposable cups that come with lids for easy transporting and storing.
You can also freeze them for up to 2 months, but don’t fill them all the way to the top so they have room to expand.
I have never tested the recipe with sugar-free pudding so I can’t say for sure, but I believe it will work.
This depends on how full you fill your cups and how much cool whip you use (half or whole tub) but you should get between 20 and 25 pudding shots with this recipe.
Recipe Variations:
Here are a few more ideas for your next grown-up gathering:
- RumChata – Combine RumChata with vanilla or French Vanilla Pudding to highlight its cinnamon flavor.
- Birthday Cake – Says “happy birthday” with birthday cake vodka and vanilla or White Chocolate Pudding — and don’t forget the rainbow sprinkles!
- Cheesecake – Use Cheesecake Pudding and vanilla Schnapps, then top with graham cracker crumbles and a few fresh berries.
- Chocolate – Always a classic! Chocolate pudding and chocolate liqueur (I love Godiva).
- Irish Cream – Vanilla pudding and Irish Cream Liqueur make this the perfect treat for St. Paddy’s Day!
- Mint Chocolate – Use chocolate pudding and peppermint schnapps to make a sweet minty concoction!
- White Russian – Use vanilla or chocolate pudding and use a mix of Kahlua and Vodka in the mix! You could also use straight up Kahlua and top with my Kahlua Whipped Cream!
- Banana Cream Pie – Use Banana Cream Pudding and banana cream liqueur. Then top with Whipped Cream and crushed nilla wafers!
- Spiked Caramel Macchiato – Use Caramel Pudding and Kahlua or Espresso Liqueur
- Boozy Pumpkin Pie – This Pumpkin Pie Pudding would be delicious when paired with pumpkin Kahlua or maybe even Bourbon.
Garnish Ideas:
No matter what flavors you use for your Pudding Shots, a few extra garnishes can make them extra festive!
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chocolate curls
- Decorative sprinkles
- Fresh berries
- Mint sprigs
More Shot Recipes:
Some more inspiration for a perfectly-portioned drink-meets-dessert:
- Sangria Jello Shots – Refreshing for spring and summer get-togethers.
- Champagne Jello Shots – For New Year’s Eve or any toast-worthy celebration!
- Jelly Donut Shot – For brunch done right!
- Chocolate Cream Pie Shots – These sippable treats aren’t made with pudding or Jello, but they definitely taste like dessert!
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Pudding Shots
Ingredients
- 1 (3.4 oz.) box instant pudding mix1 dry
- 1 cup whole milk cold
- 1 cup liqueur1 cold
- 4 ounces cool whip2 thawed (approximately half of a regular size container)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix, milk, and liqueur of choice (see falvor recommendations in notes) for 2 minutes.
- Add in the thawed cool whip and whisk until smooth. Let set for 5 minutes.
- Evenly divide the pudding between shot glasses or 2oz. condiment containers with lids with a medium cookie scoop and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Recipe Variations:
- RumChata – Combine RumChata with vanilla or French Vanilla Pudding to highlight its cinnamon flavor.
- Birthday Cake – Says “happy birthday” with birthday cake vodka and vanilla or White Chocolate Pudding — and don’t forget the rainbow sprinkles!
- Cheesecake – Use Cheesecake Pudding and vanilla Schnapps, then top with graham cracker crumbles and a few fresh berries.
- Chocolate – Always a classic! Chocolate pudding and chocolate liqueur (I love Godiva).
- Irish Cream – Vanilla pudding and Irish Cream Liqueur make this the perfect treat for St. Paddy’s Day!
- Mint Chocolate – Use chocolate pudding and peppermint schnapps to make a sweet minty concoction!
- White Russian – Use vanilla or chocolate pudding and use a mix of Kahlua and Vodka in the mix! You could also use straight up Kahlua!
- Banana Cream Pie – Use Banana Cream Pudding and banana cream liqueur. Then top with whipped cream and crushed nilla wafers!
- Spiked Caramel Macchiato – Use Caramel Pudding and Kahlua or Espresso Liqueur
- Boozy Pumpkin Pie – This Pumpkin Pie Pudding would be delicious when paired with pumpkin Kahlua or maybe even Bourbon.
- For a lighter mousse-like texture, you can use a full tub of cool whip instead of half.
- This recipe has not been tested with sugar-free pudding.
Ashley Reavis says
Can you freeze them? Ooh, can you imagine a poke cake made with this?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’ve never tried, but I bet the would be delicious! And that sounds like an amazing idea for a poke cake!
Patricia S says
I haven’t made these yet, but they look yummy! Do you think a plant based milk would work? I usually use organic, unsweetened coconut milk. Thanks for the cool recipes!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Patricia, I’m not sure as I don’t use alternative milk very often. You could try it, make sure that the coconut milk is cold.
Sandy says
Another flavor combination is Pistachio pudding with Amaretto, yummy!
Teetee says
I love this recipe. Can I use heavy whipping cream instead??? I want to make it very rich.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’ve never made it with whipping cream. My concern would be that the pudding would be very thick.
Sara says
Yes you can! I use 3/4 cup HWC and 8oz of whipped cream. I freeze mine and they come out like the most smooth ice cream you’ve ever had. The extra cream also cuts down on the strong alcohol aftertaste. Been making pudding shots this way for over 15yrs and everyone raves about them.
LKN says
Like that you use less whipped topping than others. When doing Kailua I like to add 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso, or instant coffee. If using vodka as part of the alcohol a flavored one like whipped or vanilla work really well with most flavors. Cheesecake flavored pudding is another great option.
Alby says
When you say half a tub of cool whip what size tub were you talking about? The normal size or the large one?
Rebecca Hubbell says
The 8-ounce regular size. I Will update the recipe for clarification.
Albu says
Thank you 😊