Santa Hat Jello Shots 

These Santa Hat Jello Shots are a festive addition to any Christmas holiday party. Layers of red and white Jello with buttercream and strawberry topping look just like Santa’s hat!  You can even make a nonalcoholic version for the kids.

Santa Hat Christmas Jello Shots 

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than with some festive Santa Hat Jello Shots! Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party or just looking for a fun, boozy cocktail to enjoy by the fire. These tasty Jello shots are sure to be a hit.

With their Christmassy red and white layers and a buttercream strawberry hat, they not only look adorable but also pack a boozy punch. Want to make them kid-friendly? Just leave out the vodka and add the same amount of water for a delicious, jiggly sweet treat. Other great shot recipes to serve at holiday parties are these Grinch Jello Shots and these Sangria Jello Shots.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Easy to make – Made with a few simple ingredients, you can mix up a batch of these holiday season shots in 15 minutes.
• Options for the whole family – You can make them boozy or in a non-alcoholic version, so the kids can enjoy these fun treats at Christmas parties.
• Festive toppings – With just one glance at the strawberry and buttercream topping, you will immediately recognize Santa’s hat.

Special Tools Needed

• 15, 2 ounce plastic shot cups – we used these

Ingredients

• Instant strawberry Jello mix
• Unflavored gelatin packets
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Water
• Vodka 
• Butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh strawberries – cut the tops off so they lay flat
• Christmas sprinkles, optional

How to Make Santa Hat Jell-O Shots

Set out your plastic shot cups on a baking sheet and clear space in your refrigerator for the tray of Jello shots.

Step One: Create the Red Layer

• In a large, heat-proof, measuring cup with a spout or a large bowl with a spout, add 1 cup of boiling water and your strawberry gelatin packet.
• Whisk until the gelatin is all dissolved in the hot water.
• Then, add in ½ cup of cold water and ½ cup of vodka and whisk again.
• Carefully pour the mixture into the plastic shot cups, about halfway up.
• Carefully transfer the tray of strawberry Jello shots to your refrigerator. Chill for about 30 minutes or until that layer is set.

Step Two: Make The White Jello Layer

• In a small saucepan, add the unflavored gelatin and one cup of water over medium heat.
• Stir this mixture until the gelatin is all dissolved.
• Remove from the heat and add in the sweetened condensed milk and ½ cup vodka.  
• Set aside to cool a bit.
• Carefully spoon the white mixture into each shot cup on top of the strawberry layer, filling the cups almost to the top.
• Put them back in the fridge for 30 minutes until they are all set.

Step Three: Make the Buttercream and Decorate

• Use your electric mixer, whip the butter until light and fluffy.
• Add the powdered sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
• Place the buttercream into a piping bag or zip top bag with the edge snipped off.

• Place a fresh strawberry on top of the Jello shots.
• Pipe the buttercream around the edges of the strawberry to look like the fur in the cap. Add a dollop on top. 

 Easy Christmas Jello Shot Recipe Add-ins and Variations

• Jello flavors – You can make the red layer with any red jello flavor you prefer. Cherry, cranberry, and raspberry are great options.
• Christmas sprinkles – A classic combination of red and green sprinkles on the buttercream can make your shots look even more festive. For an elegant touch, edible silver and gold sprinkles are the perfect addition.
• Frosting – Instead of buttercream, top your festive Jello shot with a dollop of Cool Whip or stabilized whipped cream for a lighter option.
• Booze options – We used regular vodka, but you can use vanilla vodka, rum, or Fireball whisky, which are other great alcohol choices.
• Holiday shapes – You can layer the Jello on the sheet pan, then use a cookie cutter to make festive-shaped Jello shots.

How Far in Advance Can I Prepare These Shots for a Party?

You can prepare these Jello shots a day or two in advance of your party. Because strawberries are so juicy, I would wait to decorate them right before serving.  

Do I Need to Keep These Shots Refrigerated?

Yes, it’s important to keep the Jello shot cups refrigerated until you’re ready to serve them to make sure they don’t melt.

How Strong are These Jell-O Shots?

The strength of these shots depends on the amount of alcohol you use. This recipe uses a whole cup of vodka, which makes them moderately strong.

Can I Make Them Without Alcohol?

Yes, just replace the vodka with water or ginger ale.

More Fun Jello Shot Recipes

• Lime Jello Shots
• Ghost Jello Shots
• Watermelon Jello Shots
• Rainbow Jello Shots
• Fourth of July Jello Shots
• Candy Corn Jello Shots
• Cherry Fireball Shots