St. Patrick's day celebrations here in America need some alcohol. These pistachio pudding shots are not only a festive dessert but also a yummy cocktail. Irish cream liqueur and creamy pistachio Jell-O pudding makes this the St. Patrick's Day shot recipe the holiday needs. This is the best recipe for a treat with alcohol for any Irish celebration.
This easy no-bake recipe is a fun green dessert for St. Patrick's Day and other holidays. Pair with some Shamrock Sugar Cookies for a festive green dessert combination. This green drinkable pistachio pudding cocktail is irresistible.
This recipe is also great for Christmas. If you want the best pudding shots to serve at your next party or holiday, try this easy recipe.
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What is Irish Cream Liqueur?
The two most popular brands in America are Bailey's and Carolans. Irish cream is a blend of Irish whiskey, cream, hints of vanilla, and chocolate. So right there, I should have you hooked. It has an ABV (alcohol by volume) level of about 15-20% and is popular in many mixed drinks.
If you have Irish cream in your liqueur cabinet already, these pudding shots will be great to enjoy some in. Other cocktails that you can use Irish cream in include:
- Nutty Irishman
- Mudslide
- Irish Car Bomb
- Cement Mixer
Ingredients for St. Patrick's Day Pudding Shots
- a small package of instant pistachio Jell-o pudding (3.4oz)
- 1 C milk
- 1 C Irish Cream liquor
- 1 C Cool Whip
- whipped cream
- sprinkles - optional tasty fun!
- green food coloring - optional for the desired color
You can try regular or sugar-free puddings and Cool Whip. To find out more about ingredients and carb counts, check out COOL WHIP's OFFICIAL SITE.
How to Make Pistachio Pudding Shots
Here are the ingredients you need for the pudding shots. Jello pudding is the most popular but any brand of pistachio pudding will work for this fun pudding shot recipe.
Optional is green food coloring. The green will not be as bright as the pudding is alone. Once the liqueur is added it will change a bit. It is up to you if you want it green and festive or if it is all about the taste.
1 - Mix the Pudding
In a mixing bowl with a pourable spout, add the instant pudding mix, the cold milk, and the Irish cream. Mix with a hand mixer on low until it is smooth and combined. The brown color will change the color, it will still be green but subtle. This is where I decided to add some food coloring.
2 - Add Food Coloring
It will turn a bit greener with each drop you add. My results are from 2 drops of green food coloring added.
If I really wanted a more true green for St. Patrick's Day I would have added a few more drops. I wanted this to be green but still light in color like the original pistachio pudding.
3 - Fold in the Cool Whip
The last step is to fold in the soft Cool Whip. If it does not fold smoothly, you can use the hand mixer for a few seconds on low. You want this to be smooth so it is pourable and it will be drinkable as it sets just a bit.
4 - Chill the Pistachio Pudding
Pour into 12 regular shot glasses or into 6 larger dessert/jelly cups. I like the bigger size so it feels more like a dessert and drink.
Once all are poured, place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. They will NOT get the pudding skin that can happen so they can be made ahead of time and still be drinkable.
The puddings will be a bit set but if you tilted the cups would be thick but still pourable. Think of a really thick milkshake.
5 - Top Pudding Shots with Whipped Cream
Top with whipped cream and/or sprinkles. My kids eat a lot of sprinkles on ice cream sundaes around here so we were out of them.
Substitutions & Variations
This simple recipe has only a few ingredients & tasty as written. However, you can make a few changes & try a different variation. Here is what I suggest.
- Vodka - instead of Irish Cream make vodka pistachio pudding shots.
- Less Sugar - use sugar-free pistachio pudding if available.
- Pudding - use vanilla pudding instead and add green food coloring.
- Sprinkles - add green sugar sprinkles or rainbow sprinkles for color & more fun.
HINT: You can also spoon some of the pudding into cups BEFORE adding the liqueur or use Irish Cream Coffee Creamer - a great zero-proof, alcohol-free pudding shot for adults or kids.
CHEERS - HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!
These would also be great to have as a Christmas Pudding Shot. Maybe add some red sprinkles on top of the whipped cream.
What to Serve for St Patrick's Day -
These great pistachio pudding shots with Irish cream are the perfect ending to a great St Patty's Day meal. The SLOW COOKER CORNED BEEF is fantastic! Here are more great recipes to enjoy in your celebration:
How Long Can you Refrigerate Pudding Shots?
These pudding shots are not different than when you refrigerate plain pudding. Once they are made and chilled they are ready to enjoy. I recommend storing them without the whipped cream on top. That is best to add fresh just before enjoying.
If stored properly in the refrigerator, pudding shots can last for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing pudding shots.
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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St Patrick's Day Pudding Shots
Equipment
- shot glasses or pudding'yougurt glass jars
Ingredients
- 1 small package instant pistachio pudding 3.4oz size
- 1 C cold milk
- 1 C Irish cream liqueur Carolan's, Bailey's, etc
- 1 C Cool Whip soft at room temperature
- whipped cream
- green sprinkles & green food coloring optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl with a pourable spout, add the pudding mix, milk, and liqueur.
- With a hand mixer, mix on low speed until combined and smooth. There will be really small pistachio bits from the pudding mix, that is ok.
- Optional but makes it a true green again - Add a few drops, one at a time, of food coloring if you want the green color to be more pronounced. In mine pictured above, I added 2 drops of food coloring. Mix with hand-mixer to combine.
- Fold in the cool whip until evenly combined. If still a bit lumpy, use the hand-mixer for only a few seconds.
- Pour into 12 shot glasses or into 6 larger jelly/yogurt/dessert glasses.
- Place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill and set. It will not be solid like regular pudding. It will be thick and pourable/drinkable.
- To serve, top with whipped cream. Add sprinkles if desired.
- This can be made ahead of time. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Top with whip cream only before serving as that will not hold up well.
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Cindy says
These look delicious!
Liz McDermott says
Yeasss, it isn't St. Patrick's day without green liquor!
Angela says
Facts! Cheers!
Debbie says
And they are so cute too!!
Ramae Hamrin says
I don't drink these types of drinks anymore, but wow, does it ever look delicious. I could picture myself sipping one as I read your post. YUM!
Angela Sedlak | Mean Green Chef says
Ohhhh ahhhhh I could totally enjoy a couple of these on St. Paddy's Day! Love how easy they are to make, thanks for sharing, pinned too 🙂
Angela says
So glad you pinned this - easy, fun, and delish. The flavor combo of pistachio and Irish cream is really amazing!
Lucy says
My fiance would love these! i'll have to surprise him this year lol
Angela says
Great, I hope he loves them
Beth Shields says
These look yummy and I bet you could do a whole variation on these depending on the pudding and the liquor. Thanks for sharing.
Angela says
The party fun ideas are endless!
Eva says
I'll have to save this for St Patricks Day and try it out this year. Looks delicious!
Alice says
I love your recipes!
jen says
well well well...me thinks i spy something new to try this st pattys day....
Lisa Manderino says
This is a great idea for St. Patrick's day
Holly Bird says
YUM!! I saved this for later..this is really an amazing recipe!! Thank you!
Tricia Snow says
These look yummy and fattening! Definitely a once in a while treat! I can't wait to try this and add it to my Saint Patty's Day plans!
Lisa says
We will definitely try these out this year!
Noelle says
These look very festive! I would have never thought of that flavor combination!
Jenny says
They look so good, and not too difficult to make. I can't wait to try this recipe, thank you!
Stacey Billingsley says
These look delicious and festive! I’ll have to give them a try.
Jennifer says
They look interesting. What flavor could be used instead of the alcohol component?
Angela says
You can just add more milk but it would not be drinkable. Only something with alcohol would keep it from setting as thick but having it as just pudding would be fine.
Jill DeMasi says
I love pudding shots and Baileys!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life says
One question. What time's the party? YUM!!
Angela says
In about an hour when these are ready! Cheers!
Sydney Delong says
Yum! Perfect for St Pattys day!
Adrienne says
Oh my goodness! These look amazing! If I still drank, I would be all over this as my perfect St Paddys day treat!
Sandi says
So cute - what a great idea for a shamrock celebration.
Karla Petersen says
Oh, my goodness! Pinned for sure. I love pudding and I love liqueurs!!!!
Angela says
I hope you love them Karla! Cheers to you and your family every St Patty's Day!
vanessa says
These look so good. I wonder if I could take them in to the next staff meeting,
Angela says
LOL - there are days at the office that I need many of these ! oh did I say that?!?!
Christina Furnival says
These sounds so yummy, they are very cute, and they don't seem too hard to make!
heather J jandrue says
I love Irish cream. These sound so good. I need to try these out for St. Patty's Day.
Charlotte says
I feel like we need to become friends lol This sounds delicious!!
Angela says
The more friends the merrier - cheers! Meet me at happy hour...
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness says
Looks yummy! This pudding shot looks perfect for St. Patty's Day!
Brianna says
This is such a fun idea that my whole family will love! Thank you for sharing!
Melissa Jones says
That looks like a super fun St. Patrick's Day treat!!
Lisa says
Yummy these look soooo delicious!
T.M. Brown says
These look cute and delicious!! The pistachio would not be my flavor of choice, but maybe vanilla would work just as well??? Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
I am not a big pistachio fan but the combo with Irish cream is perfect. We had taste testing with the neighbors and they all love the flavor combo. Give it a try!
Miz Helen says
This is a great Pudding Shot! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,473 and hope you are having a great week!
Miz Helen
Pamela says
Are you kidding me?! YUM!!! These will make an appearance at our next St. Pat's party. Pinned!!
Leah says
So fun! I bet these taste really good. I have only had pudding shots one time, made with chocolate pudding. Pistachio sounds great for the holiday as well as to mix to Bailey’s! I might just need to whip these up for my husband and I as a nice little dessert ☺️
Angela says
I hope you and your husband enjoy these fun green Bailey's shots. Cheers to St Patrick's Day!
Beth says
I have never tried a pudding shot, but it looks like a drink and dessert in a glass. How decadent, plus you get that green you need for St. Paddy's!
Lauren says
Oh my goodness. These boozy little dessert shots look to die for. I can't wait for St. Patrick's Day this year so I can make this recipe!
Jacqueline Debono says
Love the idea of these pudding shot! A fun and delicious addition to any St Patrick's Day meal!
Relle says
These look great and perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Can't wait to try it.
Aimee says
I just made these to have for tomorrow. I had to try one of course and they are so good.
Angela says
Great - happy early St Paddy's Day!