Christmas Punch Jello Shots
Christmas Punch Jello Shots
These Christmas Punch Jello Shots are bright red, fruity, festive, and SO cute for a holiday party! Inspired by classic Christmas punch, these little party shots are made with cranberry, pineapple, and orange flavors, then topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary.
That little rosemary garnish makes all the difference.
Against the bright red Jello and white whipped cream, it looks like a tiny piece of Christmas greenery on top of each shot.
If you’re looking for a fun adults-only treat for Christmas Eve, holiday parties, girls’ night, or New Year’s Eve, these are such an easy addition to your party table.
Festive Christmas Jello Shots
I wanted these to actually taste like Christmas punch.
You know that fruity holiday punch that’s always on the party table?
That’s what we’re going for here.
We’re combining cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and vodka with red gelatin to make sweet and fruity Jello shots that have more flavor than your basic vodka Jello shot.
And they’re beautiful.
Bright Christmas red.
White whipped cream.
Fresh green rosemary.
They’re going to look SO pretty lined up on a Christmas serving tray.
Christmas Punch Jello Shots Recipe
Servings: About 16–18 Jello shots
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: About 4 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 (3-ounce) box cherry or cranberry flavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 3/4 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup triple sec or orange liqueur
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Fresh rosemary, cut into very small sprigs
- Fresh cranberries, optional for garnish
You’ll Also Need
- 16–18 small plastic Jello shot cups
- Baking sheet or tray
- Measuring cup with a pour spout
How to Make Christmas Punch Jello Shots
Arrange your Jello shot cups on a baking sheet or tray.
This makes them much easier to transfer to the refrigerator without spilling.
Pour the gelatin powder into a large heat-safe measuring cup or mixing bowl.
Add the boiling water.
Whisk for about 2 minutes, or until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
You don’t want any little granules remaining.
Add the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice.
Stir until combined.
Let the mixture cool for several minutes before adding the alcohol.
Stir in the vodka and triple sec.
Mix well.
Carefully pour the Christmas punch mixture into the shot cups, filling each approximately 3/4 full.
Transfer the tray to the refrigerator.
Chill for at least 4 hours, or until completely set.
Decorate the Jello Shots
Here’s where these go from regular Jello shots to CHRISTMAS Jello shots.
Wait until shortly before serving to add the toppings.
Pipe or spoon a small swirl of whipped cream onto the center of each shot.
Then add a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary.
You only need a little piece.
The rosemary is mostly decorative, so don’t stick a giant branch in there!
The small green sprig against the white whipped cream and bright red Jello looks almost like a tiny Christmas tree.
You can also add a fresh cranberry beside the rosemary for an extra festive look.
What Do Christmas Punch Jello Shots Taste Like?
These have a sweet and fruity holiday punch flavor.
The cranberry adds a little tartness, pineapple brings sweetness, and orange gives the shots a bright citrus flavor.
The vodka is fairly neutral, while the orange liqueur ties everything together.
They’re fruity, boozy, and very easy to drink.
Maybe a little TOO easy.
Cherry or Cranberry Jello?
Either works.
Cherry gelatin gives you a really vibrant Christmas red and is usually easy to find.
Cranberry gelatin gives the shots even more of that traditional holiday flavor if you can find it.
You could also use strawberry or raspberry gelatin in a pinch.
The important thing for the look is getting that gorgeous deep red color.
Can I Make These Ahead?
Yes!
That’s one of the reasons Jello shots are so good for parties.
Make the actual Jello shots 1–2 days ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator.
Don’t add the whipped cream or rosemary yet.
Decorate them shortly before serving so the whipped cream stays pretty and the rosemary stays fresh.
How Strong Are These Jello Shots?
These definitely contain alcohol, but I don’t recommend increasing the amount much beyond what’s written in the recipe.
Too much alcohol can interfere with how well gelatin sets.
If you prefer a milder Jello shot, replace some of the vodka with additional cranberry juice.
Christmas Punch Jello Shot Garnish
I LOVE the rosemary on these.
You don’t need much.
Cut the rosemary into tiny little sprigs and tuck one into each swirl of whipped cream.
For an even prettier Christmas presentation, you can add:
- Fresh cranberries
- Sugared cranberries
- Christmas sprinkles
- Tiny orange twists
- Red sanding sugar
- A little lime zest
But honestly, I think whipped cream + rosemary is enough.
Simple and elegant.
How to Serve Christmas Jello Shots
Keep the shots refrigerated until you’re ready to serve them.
Arrange them on a pretty white or clear platter so that gorgeous red color really stands out.
For a Christmas party, scatter a few fresh cranberries and little rosemary branches around the platter.
Just make sure guests know the rosemary garnish isn’t intended to be eaten as a whole sprig.
Make Them Look Like Christmas Punch
If I’m photographing these, I want them to immediately read as Christmas.
I’d use clear shot cups so you can see that bright ruby-red color.
Then pipe a small, tall swirl of whipped cream on each one.
Add one delicate rosemary sprig standing slightly upright.
Scatter a few cranberries around the serving tray and maybe add some warm Christmas lights in the background.
Red, white, and green.
Simple.
Beautiful.
Can I Make Christmas Punch Jello Shots Without Alcohol?
Absolutely.
For a nonalcoholic version, replace the vodka and orange liqueur with additional cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, or lemon-lime soda.
Just make sure you’re keeping approximately the same total amount of liquid so the gelatin sets properly.
How to Store Jello Shots
Keep Christmas Punch Jello Shots covered in the refrigerator until serving.
They’re best within about 2–3 days.
For the prettiest presentation, wait to add whipped cream and fresh rosemary until shortly before serving.
Jennie’s Thoughts
Okay, I LOVE how these are going to look. Sometimes holiday recipes get so decorated that they start looking a little crazy. Bright red Christmas punch Jello. A little swirl of white whipped cream. One tiny green rosemary sprig. Done.
They’re going to look gorgeous.
And I really like that we’re using cranberry, pineapple, AND orange because it makes them taste more like an actual Christmas punch instead of just cherry Jello and vodka.
Put a whole tray of these out at a Christmas party with fresh cranberries and rosemary scattered around them and they’re going to disappear.
Just remember…
These are definitely for the grown-ups!
Note: These Jello shots contain alcohol and are intended for adults of legal drinking age.
