Mint Julep Pudding Shots are a perfect small bite sweet for your Kentucky Derby Party or any Southern gathering.
We love pudding shots because they're a small bite dessert just for the grown ups. We've made Key Lime Pie Pudding Shots and Mudslide Pudding Shots, but with the Kentucky Derby coming up, we just had to create some with mint julep flavors.
Jump to:
What is a mint julep?
A mint julep is a cocktail consisting primarily of bourbon, sugar, water, crushed or shaved ice, and fresh mint.
As a bourbon-based cocktail, it is associated with the American South and the cuisine of the Southern United States in general, and the Kentucky Derby in particular.
Ingredients and Substitutions
On their own, mint juleps are a pretty strong, bourbon-heavy cocktail. For the pudding shots, we want to incorporate some other flavors in there so they don't taste like a cocktail being eaten with a spoon.
This starts out with the vanilla pudding. I love using vanilla because it doesn't overpower the other flavors and it leaves the mint julep pudding shots having a light tan color similar to the light brown of the cocktail. You could also use chocolate pudding if you love the chocolate-mint flavor combination.
We also used cool whip in this recipe to add extra creaminess and to lighten up the flavors. You can use homemade whipped cream as well if you're feeling fancy!
The mint flavor in our pudding shots comes from peppermint schnapps. We know some people love to make these with creme de menthe, but we didn't want the shots to have a green tint. We prefer to keep a more natural looking color and letting the fresh mint leaf on top really shine.
How to Make Mint Julep Pudding Shots
You will start out by making the pudding. Following the directions on the package, we'll just be subbing booze for some of the milk.
The package calls for 2 cups of cold milk, so we'll instead be using 1-½ cups milk, 3 ounces bourbon, and 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps for a total of 2 cups of liquid. Blend this together with a hand mixer or whisk and let it sit for 5 minutes to set.
Fold in the cool whip until well blended. Then, divide the pudding shots into about 15 2 oz cups of your choice. Chill the shots at least 2 hours before serving.
Right before serving garnish with a little more whipped topping and fresh mint leaves.
Items You May Need
The first item you'll need is a hand mixer. Then, you'll need 2 ounce cups for servings. Here you have a few options:
We love regular shot glasses for a nice dinner party, but disposable shot glasses are better if you're serving a lot of people or want to simplify the clean up process. Plastic ramekins with lids aren't the prettiest, but they're perfect if you plan on making them at home and then transporting them to a party.
You'll also need some cute mini spoons for serving them!
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on an affiliate link and buy something, we may receive a very small commission. It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Click here for our full privacy and disclosure policy. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Storage
These mint julep pudding shots can be kept for up to 5 days covered in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer. We've also discovered that they're delicious frozen, so try them that way, too!
More Ideas for a Kentucky Derby Party
- Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
- Ritz Carlton Inspired Pecans
- Mini Lemon Tarts
- Pickled Okra
- Bourbon Glazed Cajun Beef Tenderloin
Bourbon is not just for cocktails!
If you've been around for long, you know that we adore bourbon, not only for drinking, but also for cooking! If you're a bourbon lover, you'll definitely want to check out our collection of cocktails with bourbon and our recipes with bourbon.
Google Web Story of the Pudding Shots
📖 Recipe
Mint Julep Pudding Shots
Equipment
- Hand mixer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend first 4 ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a whisk or hand mixer. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Fold in cool whip. Divide mixture between 15 2-oz. cups. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
- Just before serving, top each shot with cool whip and a fresh mint leaf.
Nutrition
Bourbon, Bourbon, and More Bourbon
Kathi says
Since my friends and I do not drink alcohol I left the booze out and put in all of the milk. But added a 1/2 teaspoon each mint flavoring and Rum flavoring. Very, Very good!!!!
Pam says
Thanks so much, Kathi! If they were very very good we're wondering why you gave the recipe just 4 stars?
Sara Welch says
What fun and easy boozy treats! Looking forward to serving these for Cinco de Mayo; looks too good to pass up, indeed!
TAYLER ROSS says
I made these last weekend and they were incredible! Making them again for the Kentucky Derby this weekend!
Pam says
Yay! So happy to hear that.
Maggie says
What a delicious looking pudding shots! I would love to have this in front of me right now. Pinning your recipe for later.
Suja md says
Absolutely delicious; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!
Beth says
Love the pics on this post - so cool, creamy and refreshing!