This Pudding shots recipe takes a classic cocktail and turns them into individual boozy desserts!

These creamy little cups are perfect for parties and friendly gatherings. They taste so good, there is no doubt they will be the life of the party!

These mini, boozy sweets are easy to make and can be made in so many different ways and for any occasion!

I love Pina Coladas, but I only drink them when I am on vacation. Actually, to be a little more specific, I only drink them on a beach or tropical vacation. I mean, Pina Coladas just aren’t the same when your view is the city or the mountains.

There is no reason why I cannot enjoy my favorite cocktail all year long. Rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut and coconut milk are available all year long, yet I reserve this fun, frozen beverage for those times when I want to throw caution to the wind (or the ocean breeze if you will).

While a frozen Pina Colada cocktail is reserved for warmer weather, other pina colada inspired recipes are enjoyed all the time! Some of my favorites are Pina Colada Ice Box Cake, Pina Colada Pineapple Upsidedown Cake, Pina Colada Energy Balls and Pina Colada Moscow Mule!

And now I can officially add these pudding shots to my favorites list!

What Are Pudding Shots?

Pudding shots are one of those things that both make and break a party. They make a party because they are fun to eat and are usually quite delicious.

They are small, but packed with booze, and therein lies the problem. I can say from personal experience, that it is far too easy to have one too many!

Pudding shots are exactly what the name implies, pudding mixed with alcohol that is served in individual shot glasses. This recipe contains rum, just like a good old pina colada cocktail!

How To Make Pudding Shots With Rum

Pudding shots are so simple to make! For this recipe, you will need one box of vanilla pudding and one box of coconut pudding. The coconut pudding I used did have shredded coconut in the mix. You can always add more shredded coconut if you’d like.

Combine the vanilla pudding mix with a cup of milk, pina colada mix, and the rum; beat the pudding with a whisk until it begins to thicken. Fold in half a container of Cool Whip and set aside.

Repeat the process with the coconut pudding.

From here you can do one of two things, you can either layer the two separate pudding flavors or you can fold them together. I did not find a big color difference between the two, so I folded mine together.

I like to place the pudding in a large piping bag or a large ziptop bag with a corner snipped. Then pipe the pudding into your shot glasses.

I like to garnish my pudding shots with a maraschino cherry, but you could garnish with pineapple, shaved coconut, or whipped cream.

Why Didn’t My Pudding Shots Set?

One very important thing to mention about making pudding shots is your milk and your whipped topping MUST BE COLD! Otherwise, your instant pudding will not set up to be thick enough.

You will have to beat your pudding and cold milk on high speed to get enough air into your pudding to have set properly.

Refrigerate your pudding shots until you are ready to serve them up!

I promise your party will be more memorable with these Pina Colada pudding shots! They are fun, festive and irresistible!

How Long Do Pudding Shots Last?

Pudding shots should keep in your refrigerator for 5-7 days and can be kept in the freezer for up to a month. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before serving.

Pudding Shots Tips:

• Instant Pudding is the best for pudding shots as it sets up quickly.
• Use very cold milk when making pudding shots and beat on high with a handheld mixer. The cold milk and all the air from whisking will work to set your pudding.

• Any type of alcohol will work in pudding shots, you can substitute brandy, vodka, Rumchata or whiskeys, tequilas, and bourbons in your shots. Make Malibu Shots by using Malibu rum (any flavor).

• Fold in the whipped cream, do not stir or else your pudding will deflate.
• To make different flavors, try these Irish Coffee Pudding Shots, Tiramisu Pudding Shots, and these Eggnog Pudding Shots.

Can Pudding Shots Be Made With Almond Milk?

Almond milk does not have the fat that cow’s milk has, so your pudding will not set up properly. This will hold true for any milk alternative.

You can use a thickener with almond milk if you are working with old-fashioned pudding that needs to be cooked.

Recipe Substitutions:

• White chocolate or cheesecake pudding can be used in place of the vanilla pudding
• Coconut extract could be added to the pudding for extra flavor
• White Rum, coconut rum, pineapple or coconut vodkas could be used in place of the dark rum
• Pineapple chunks can be used for garnish

Items Needed For This Recipe

Mixing Bowl

Handheld mixer with a whisk attachment

Rubber Spatula

Piping Bag or Ziptop Bag

Shot Glasses

Small Spoons

The shot glasses I used were tall and slender ( 1.2 oz each), if you use smaller shot glasses you will get many more shots out of this recipe.