Best Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots Recipe EVER!

Have you ever wondered what Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots taste like? Well, wonder no more—they’re delicious! With a slightly sweet, rich, and creamy flavor, these little bites will take you back to that first cup of coffee in the morning, but with just enough vodka to rev you up for an adult night out.

Layered with vanilla vodka, smooth Kahlúa liqueur, and espresso on the bottom, then topped with a creamy layer made with sweetened condensed milk, these Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots offer a taste that’s both sophisticated and satisfying. If you love an espresso martini, these Espresso & Cream Jello Shots turn it into a rich, creamy two-layer bite.

These Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots were all the rage at my last party! More and more people are discovering that Jello Shots aren’t just for college parties—they’re fun to eat, perfect for entertaining, and can be made in so many different flavors. Imagine espresso, Kahlúa, vanilla vodka, and cream all in one little bite. Put them together, and watch your guests get excited!

👉 For a festive twist this St. Patrick’s Day keep reading.

Do you want to know the secrets to mixing the best cocktails EVER? Get my free printable guide, ‘Mix, Mingle & Marvel: 5 Essential Secrets to Crafting Cocktails That Wow!’ just for joining my mailing list.

Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots Ingredients

• Absolut Vanilia Vodka
• Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
• Simple Syrup
• Knox Gelatine
• Cafe Bustelo Espresso Powder
• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans for Garnish, Optional

Tips

• What Vanilla Vodka should I use? With all of the Vodkas on the market, I use Stoli, Absolut, or Ciroc to make Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots. Use good quality spirits. The better the ingredients, the better your jello shots will taste.
• Using Bustelo Instant Espresso Powder Packets Instead? Don’t worry. One envelope of Bustelo instant espresso is equivalent to 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder. For this recipe, you will need 4 teaspoons of instant espresso powder.
• Why use gelatin instead of Jell-O? If you want to make Jello Shots that aren’t fruit-flavored, you need to use unflavored gelatin rather than flavored Jell-O. The great thing about gelatin is that it lets you turn almost any of your favorite cocktails into a Jello Shot without adding another flavor to the mix. That’s how these Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots get all that delicious coffee and cream flavor.

👉 If you’re new to making Jello Shots with gelatin, my The Ultimate DIY Jello Shot Guide (Yes, Even the Mess-Ups!) walks you through everything you need to know.

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More Espresso Martini Favorites

Love Espresso Martinis? Don’t miss my classic version, my coconut twist, or my salted caramel—they’re just as irresistible.

Fun Jello Shot Recipes

Love your cocktails? Take them to the next level with Jello Shots! These three recipes turn a tequila margarita, rum mojito, and Firefly sweet tea into fun, boozy bites made for sharing.

👉 Cocktail party guide: Before you start shaking and stirring, check out my Cocktail Party Planning Made Easy: Your Guide to Stress-Free Entertaining at Home for tips on choosing your drinks, setting up the bar, planning the food, and getting everything ready before your guests arrive.

Kitchenware

To make your Jello Shots, you’ll need Jello Shot cups. Click here to learn the differences between the 3 different styles of Jello Shot cups. I use the squeezable Jello Shot cups, the flat round Jello Shot cups above, and the square Jello Shot cups.

The second most important item is a spouted mixing bowl with a handle. This bowl makes pouring the liquid into the Jello Shot cups easy. I have seen ‘tools’ on Amazon that assist you with filling your Jello Shot cups, but the bowl with the spout works well. Of course, you may have a few drips here and there, but I need more to invest in one of those tools.

How to Make Espresso and Cream Martini Jello Shots

Espresso Jello Shot Layer

First, place 22 Jello Shot cups on a baking sheet. 

Then pour the vanilla vodka and water into a spouted mixing bowl and stir.

Slowly sprinkle the gelatin across the top of the liquid.

Gelatin can be tricky to work with the first time you use it in a recipe. If you see it clumping up, you are spreading it too quickly. The secret is to ‘slowly’ sprinkle the gelatin on top of the liquid.

Let the gelatin mixture sit for 7 minutes. In the meantime, boil the water.

Add the espresso powder to the boiling water and stir until combined.

Add the boiling espresso water to the gelatin mixture and stir for approximately 3 minutes.

Then pour the Kahlua and simple syrup into the mixture and stir.

Slowly pour the mixture into your jello shot cups until they are 2/3 full.

Refrigerate for 1 hour before starting the top layer.

Cream Layer

Pour the vanilla vodka and water into the spouted mixing bowl and slowly sprinkle the gelatin on top.

Let the gelatin absorb the liquid for 7 minutes. In the meantime, boil the water.

Add the boiling water to the gelatin mixture and stir until the gelatin is dissolved, approximately 3 minutes.

Now add the sweetened condensed milk and stir well.

Top off the espresso base with your cream topping and refrigerate 3 hours before serving.

Tips

• Chill the Jello Shots: for 3 hours before putting on the jello shot cup tops. This will prevent condensation from forming on the top of the jello shots.
• Make in advance: these jello shots can be made 2 days in advance if covered and kept in the refrigerator.
• Add Garnishes Just Before Serving: toppings can cause the gelatin to break down if left to sit for too long. Top your shots no more than 30 minutes before party time for the best results.

St Patrick’s Day Twist

While traditional Baby Guinness shots mimic the look of a miniature pint with a creamy top, the rich coffee flavor of Kahlua gives them a bold, flavorful upgrade.

With their dark hue resembling a stout beer, the Espresso & Cream Jello Shots still capture the spirit of the occasion while offering a unique and delicious alternative for partygoers to enjoy. Cheers to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with delightful twists and unforgettable flavors!

If You Love These Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots…

If these Espresso & Cream Martini Jello Shots are your kind of treat, there are plenty more where that came from. Whether you’re leaning into bold coffee flavors or looking for something a little more playful, these recipes keep the good vibes going.

For a more traditional take, try my classic Espresso Martini—it’s smooth, rich, and perfect when you want to sip instead of scoop. If you’re in the mood for something with a twist, the Coconut Espresso Martini adds a tropical note that pairs surprisingly well with coffee.

And if jello shots are your party go-to, don’t miss a few of my other favorites. The boozy Hot Chocolate Jello Shots are cozy and indulgent, while the Coconut Jello Shots bring a lighter, beachy feel to the mix. Of course, if you want to keep things simple and classic, my Espresso Martini Jello Shots are always a hit.

No matter which direction you go, you’ll have something fun, flavorful, and guaranteed to get people talking.

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Choose Your Wiggle

The Original Recipe – The creamy, espresso-forward version that started it all. The jello shots have a firm wiggle.

The Extra-Wiggly Version – A reader-requested variation with more jiggle.

If you’ve tried this, please leave a comment and rating below.