Eggnog Jello Shots Recipe

Boozy, rich, and scented with nutmeg, eggnog is even more festive in jello-shot form.

Several eggnog jello shots served on a live-edge platter make of hardwood.

Serious Eats / Elana Lepkowski

Why It Works

  • This method works with both homemade and store-bought eggnog. You can also use any of our flavored riffs on eggnog (for specific recommendations, see the recipe notes below).
  • You choose the serving size. Just pick your favorite silicone mold shape.

As a child, I never saw anyone drink eggnog. My parents and grandparents never served it. My friends' homes were all nog-free, too, as far as I could tell. It became something of a bogeyman to me, something gross that sleazy uncles in books drank to keep warm.

As an adult, though, I've become an eggnog lover. To me, the good stuff tastes like rich spiced milk. It's custardy, but not eggy, delicious with rum or brandy or both. Still, I feel like it's fusty with tradition. The same old drink, year after year after year. Eggnog needs a change. A way to get your party guests excited again.

Making eggnog into jello shots gives the old-school drink some fun new clothes. These yuletide bites are still rich, spiced, and alcoholic, but they're a bit more entertaining than the old punch cup.

Overhead view of all the ingredients required to make eggnog jello shots, arranged on a white surface: rum, two eggs, nutmeg, 2 packs of gelatin, sugar, cream, milk.

Serious Eats / Elana Lepkowski

You'll start by making a traditional eggnog. We like to use a stand mixer for perfectly blended results. And, while the classic eggnog recipe works beautifully, you can also get creative with your flavors: You've got plenty of options.

Don't have time to make the eggnog from scratch? That's fine, too. Store-bought eggnog works just as well, and the shot-making method is pretty much the same.

Working with powdered gelatin may seem a little intimidating, but it's easy, I promise. You'll separate a portion of your eggnog and warm it gently, sprinkling the gelatin on top to bloom and then mixing it in so it can get completely hydrated by the warm liquid. You'll then mix it back into the rest of the eggnog and top it with nutmeg.

Overhead view of two silicone molds and two glasses filled with the eggnog jello shot mixture, ready to be unmolded.

Serious Eats / Elana Lepkowski

While just about any container can be used to form the jello shots, silicone molds are a dream to work with. They're wonderfully flexible, allowing you to pop out your jello shots without causing cracks.

In a pinch, though, you could also make these in paper cups or mini muffin wrappers. Or, if you'd like to offer your guests a bit more of a wallop, you can double the size and serve your eggnog jello shots in cups, to be spooned and savored.

December 2015

Recipe Details

Eggnog Jello Shots Recipe

Prep 30 mins
Cook 10 mins
Active 25 mins
Chilling Time 8 hrs
Total 8 hrs 40 mins
Makes 48 jello shots

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs, separated (see note)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar (1.1 ounces; 28g), divided
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 2 packets unflavored powdered gelatin (1/2 ounce; 14g)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) dark rum, such as Gosling's, or spiced rum, such as Malahat Spiced Rum
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

  1. Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk and beat at low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until they are about the consistency of shaving cream, about 90 seconds. Reduce speed to medium. With mixer running, add half of sugar and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape whites into a large bowl. Do not wash stand mixer bowl.

  2. Add egg yolks and remaining sugar to stand mixer bowl and beat at medium-high speed until pale yellow and ribbony, shutting off machine and scraping down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary, about 2 minutes total. Add milk and cream and mix at low speed to combine.

  3. Pour half of the yolk mixture into a small saucepan and sprinkle gelatin over the surface. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add rum to remaining yolk mixture in stand mixer bowl and mix at low speed for 30 seconds to combine. Set saucepan over low heat and bring to just below a simmer, whisking constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved; do not let boil. Remove from heat and let stand until cooled slightly, about 2 minutes.

  4. With stand mixer running at low speed, slowly pour gelatin mixture into the yolk-rum mixture. Gently whisk in egg whites until smooth.

  5. Strain mixture into a large measuring cup with a spout. Sprinkle in nutmeg and stir gently to combine. Carefully fill your molds with the eggnog. Refrigerate until set, about 8 hours.

  6. To remove jello shots from semi-spherical molds, carefully run a small spoon around the edge and slowly invert the mold to pop out the shot. If using square or straight-sided molds, run a butter knife around the edge and slowly invert the mold to pop out the shot. For other shapes or non-flexible molds, dip the bottom of the mold in warm water for 15 seconds, invert mold onto a baking sheet, and gently tap the mold to release the jello shot. Eggnog jello shots can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Special Equipment

Small saucepan, stand mixer, large measuring cup with spout, molds for jello shots (we recommend semi-spherical silicone molds, see note)

Notes

If you want to use store-bought eggnog or any of our flavored variations—like butterscotch, maple bourbon, double nut, or nutella eggnog—start with 12 ounces of your chosen eggnog. Pour half of the eggnog into a heatproof bowl and half into a small saucepan. Whisk 1/2 cup dark or spiced rum into eggnog in the heatproof bowl. Sprinkle 2 packets unflavored powdered gelatin onto the surface of the eggnog in the saucepan and let stand 5 minutes. Set saucepan over low heat and bring to just under a simmer, whisking constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved; do not let boil. Remove from heat and let stand 2 minutes to cool slightly. Pour eggnog-gelatin mixture into the eggnog-rum mixture and whisk to combine. Proceed with instructions in Step 5.

While just about any container can be used for making the jello shots, silicone molds are your best bet. These provide the right amount of flexibility to help you pop out your jello shots without cracking them.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Eggnog jello shots can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

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