Name: Irish Coffee Pudding Shots
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 1/3 oz Chocolate pudding mix (Check the expiration date for freshness.); 1 pinch Salt (Enhances flavor.); 1 1/2 tsp Instant coffee (For added depth of flavor.); 1 3/4 cups Chocolate milk (Use full-flavored chocolate milk.); 1/4 cup Irish cream (Choose a decent brand.); 3/4 cup Whiskey (Select a whiskey you enjoy.); 8 oz Whipped topping (Thawed and folded in gently.); as needed Whipped cream for topping (Add just before serving.); as needed Shamrock sprinkles (For festive decoration.)

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In this creamy, boozy treat, chocolate meets coffee and Irish spirits in a small, perfect bite. Irish Coffee Pudding Shots draw on two beloved classics: Irish coffee and chocolate pudding. The idea of a drink turned into a spoonable dessert has roots in home party culture and modern dessert bars. People loved the mix of warmth and comfort from Irish coffee for decades. Turning that flavor into a chilled pudding shot makes it more playful and easy to serve at a party.

When you make these shots, you will smell dark chocolate and warm coffee at once. The whiskey and Irish cream add a sweet, toasted note. The texture feels soft, smooth, and a little silky in your mouth. The whipped topping folded in makes each shot light and airy while still rich. The whipped cream on top keeps the first bite bright and cool. Shamrock sprinkles add a fun look and a little crunch.

This dessert is a classic favorite because it gives adults a small, indulgent treat that feels festive. It works for St. Patrick’s Day, dinner parties, or a quiet night when you want chocolate and a little liquor. You will find it quick to make, easy to portion, and loved by guests. If you like other boozy sweets, try a similar pairing like Easy Irish Cream Oreo Truffles for more party ideas.

Table of Contents

Why make this recipe

Quick to prepare: The pudding base comes together fast with no baking. Mix and chill, and you are done.
Uses pantry staples: You likely have pudding mix and instant coffee on hand. This keeps cost low.
Great for parties: Shot glasses portion perfectly and look festive. Guests can try a few flavors.
Beginner friendly: The steps use basic whisking and folding. No special tools or skills needed.
Flexible and forgiving: You can adjust whiskey or Irish cream for taste or swap dairy easily.
Crowd-pleaser: The mix of chocolate, coffee, and whiskey appeals to many adults.
Time-saving make-ahead: You can prep them a few hours or a day ahead, freeing time for guests.

This version stands out because it balances instant coffee with real whiskey and uses whipped topping to keep a light texture. The use of chocolate milk makes flavor rich without extra steps. It saves time while still tasting layered and grown-up.

How to make Irish Coffee Pudding Shots

Start with dry mix, coffee, and salt. The instant coffee wakes up the chocolate and deepens the taste. Salt lifts the flavors and reduces any flat sweetness. Next, we add chocolate milk, Irish cream, and whiskey slowly. The goal is to hydrate the pudding powder evenly so it sets smooth. Adding the liquid in a slow stream while whisking avoids lumps. Whisk until the mix looks glossy and there are no dry streaks at the bottom.

Folding in the whipped topping is the key to texture. Whipped topping brings air and softness. Use a rubber spatula and make gentle strokes from bottom to top in a folding motion. The aim is to keep air bubbles inside the mix. If you overmix, the blend will deflate and become dense. When you are done folding, the mixture should look uniformly light and a bit fluffy, with a rich chocolate color.

Spoon into shot glasses and chill. Cooling lets the pudding set and firm enough to hold a dollop of whipped cream. Chilling also lets flavors meld: the whiskey blends into the chocolate and coffee, making each bite cohesive. A short chill of 30 minutes firms the surface; longer chill, up to a few hours, improves texture and flavor. Before serving, add whipped cream and sprinkles. The final top keeps each bite creamy and pretty.

For more coffee-chocolate dessert ideas, you might enjoy a larger plated option like Espresso Coffee Cheesecake which uses similar flavor pairings.

Ingredients

3 1/3 oz Chocolate pudding mix
1 Pinch Salt
Shamrock sprinkles for garnish
Whipped cream for topping
1 1/2 tsp Instant coffee
1 3/4 cups Chocolate milk
1/4 cup Irish cream
3/4 cup Whiskey
8 oz Whipped topping (thawed and folded in gently)

Choose the best quality items by looking for fresh pudding mix (check the expiration), a good instant coffee with strong flavor, and full-flavored chocolate milk. Use a decent Irish cream and a whiskey you like to drink; cheap liquor can leave a harsh bite. For whipped topping, a stable brand or homemade whipped cream both work; homemade gives a fresher taste.

Common substitutions:

Dairy-free: Use chocolate almond milk or oat milk and a dairy-free whipped topping. Choose a non-dairy Irish cream or omit and add extra whiskey.
Low alcohol or no alcohol: Replace whiskey and Irish cream with equal parts chocolate milk and brewed espresso for a mocktail shot.
Sugar-free: Use a sugar-free pudding mix and low-sugar chocolate milk; check whiskey labels.

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate pudding mix, instant coffee, and a pinch of salt.
- Visual cue: The dry mix should look even in color with the coffee specks blended in. You should see no large clumps.
- Smell: A strong chocolate and coffee scent will lift when you stir the dry powders.
- Tip: Whisk briefly to break clumps and distribute the coffee and salt.
Gradually whisk in the chocolate milk, Irish cream, and whiskey until smooth.
- Process: Pour the chocolate milk slowly while whisking in a steady circle. Add the Irish cream and whiskey in a slow stream.
- Visual cue: The mixture will change from grainy to smooth and glossy. No dry streaks should remain.
- Sound/feel: The whisk will move easily; if it drags, there may be lumps—keep whisking gently.
- Note: If you see small bubbles, that is fine; they will settle. Avoid vigorous whisking that can break down the mix.
Fold in the whipped topping gently to maintain airiness.
- Technique: Use a spatula, cut down the center, come under the mix, fold over, and rotate the bowl. Repeat until streaks disappear.
- Visual cue: The batter becomes lighter in color and texture but still thick enough to mound slightly.
- Smell and feel: You should sense creaminess and a soft, airy feel. Do not overmix or the air will be lost.
Spoon the mixture into shot glasses and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Visual cue: Fill each glass about three-quarters full to leave room for whipped cream. The surface should be even.
- Chill result: After 30 minutes the top will set lightly and the edges will pull away a bit from the glass. For firmer set, chill 2 hours.
- Tip: Cover with plastic wrap to prevent skin forming.
Before serving, top with whipped cream and garnish with shamrock sprinkles.
- Visual cue: Add a neat dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle for contrast. The cream should hold its shape on top.
- Smell and taste: You will get a creamy, chocolate-espresso aroma. The first spoon brings a cold creamy hit and a warm whiskey note.
- Serve cold. Offer a small espresso spoon or chocolate spoon for guests.

How to serve Irish Coffee Pudding Shots

Party platter: Arrange shot glasses on a narrow tray with a small bowl of extra sprinkles and chocolate shavings for guests to add. Line with a green napkin for color.
Pair with cookies: Serve with shortbread or biscotti. The crunch balances the soft pudding and is good for dipping.
Drink pairings: Offer a small cup of black coffee or an Irish stout. Coffee matches the espresso notes; stout echoes the chocolate and malt.
Fancy plating: Use clear shot glasses on a slate board. Add a tiny mint leaf beside each glass and a chocolate curl on top of the whipped cream for a professional look.

How to store Irish Coffee Pudding Shots

Fridge (short-term):

Cover: Seal the shots with plastic wrap or lids. Keep chilled at 40°F (4°C).
Time: Eat within 3 days for best texture and flavor.
Tip: Wait to add whipped cream and sprinkles until serving to keep the topping fresh.

Freezer (long-term):

Freezing is possible but changes texture. Freeze the pudding in airtight containers for up to 1 month.
Thawing: Move to the fridge overnight to thaw slowly.

Best way to "reheat" or revive:

These are best served cold. If you thaw frozen shots and they separate or look watery, do not microwave. Instead, let them fully thaw in the fridge, then whisk gently with a small hand mixer to rebuild creaminess. Alternatively, transfer to a bowl, add a tablespoon of whipped cream, and fold to restore texture. Avoid high heat; that will make them grainy or dry.

Tips to make Irish Coffee Pudding Shots

Use room-temperature liquids to help the pudding hydrate evenly and avoid lumps.
Whisk slowly when you add liquids to prevent splashing and to make a smooth base.
Fold whipped topping gently—no whisking—so the mixture stays light.
Taste-test before chilling. Add a little more whiskey or Irish cream if you want a stronger boozy note.
Chill enough time. Under-chilled shots can look loose and will not hold the whipped cream.
Keep toppings separate until serving to prevent sogginess.
If you need non-alcoholic shots, replace whiskey and Irish cream with espresso and extra chocolate milk.

Variation

The Deluxe Version: Use dark chocolate pudding mix and top with shaved bittersweet chocolate. Swap whipped topping for fresh whipped cream made with heavy cream and a teaspoon of vanilla.
The Spiced Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne for warmth and a small spicy kick. Garnish with cocoa dust and a cinnamon stick.
The Low-Alcohol Version: Replace the whiskey and Irish cream with espresso and a spoon of coffee liqueur flavoring or non-alcoholic Irish cream to keep the taste with less alcohol.
The Mint Version: Add a drop of peppermint extract and garnish with a small mint leaf. Use crushed candy cane for garnish in winter.
The Vegan Version: Use dairy-free chocolate milk and a coconut whipped topping. Use a non-dairy Irish cream alternative or extra coffee for flavor.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes. Make the pudding and fill the glasses up to a day ahead. Keep them covered in the fridge. Add whipped cream and sprinkles right before serving.

Q: Why is my pudding too thin?
A: If the powder did not hydrate fully, you may have added too much liquid or not whisked enough. Try chilling longer; some mixes thicken in cold. If still thin, whisk in a tablespoon of instant pudding or a small amount of whipped topping to thicken.

Q: Why is it grainy?
A: Graininess can come from using very cold liquids or not whisking the powder enough when adding liquids. Warm the chocolate milk slightly (not hot) to help dissolve powders, then cool and chill.

Q: Can I use real whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
A: Yes. Fresh whipped cream gives a richer taste. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks and fold in gently. It will be less stable than commercial topping, so add it close to serving time.

Q: Is there an alcohol-free version?
A: Yes. Replace whiskey and Irish cream with equal parts brewed espresso and chocolate milk, or use non-alcoholic Irish cream. The shots will keep the coffee-chocolate flavor.

Q: How strong will the alcohol taste be?
A: The recipe balances liquor with chocolate milk and whipped topping. If you prefer less alcohol, reduce whiskey by 25–50% and increase chocolate milk to keep volume.

Q: My whipped topping deflated when folded. What happened?
A: You likely overfolded or used a high-speed beat. Fold gently and stop when streaks disappear. If you overmix, you can try to rescue texture by folding in a small amount of fresh whipped cream.

Conclusion

These Irish Coffee Pudding Shots give you a fast, tasty dessert that mixes chocolate, coffee, and Irish spirit into a smooth, creamy bite-size treat. They suit parties, small gatherings, or a special night in. For another take on the same flavor idea, see a similar recipe here at Irish Coffee Chocolate Pudding Shots – Sweet ReciPEAs. For more variations and tips from another home cook, check out Irish Coffee Pudding Shots – LemonsforLulu.com.