This post may contain affiliate links to products we love.

This Starburst Pudding Shot recipe blends together two of my favorite things: Strawberry Starburst candies and creamy pudding. These yummy strawberry starburst shots use lemonade vodka and strawberry pudding to make a shot that’s fruity and oh-so-delicious! You’ll probably want to make a double batch!

starburst pudding shots on a white tray surrounded by starbursts

Table of Contents

Easy Strawberry Pudding Shots

If you’ve never tried pudding shots, this is your open invitation, and I think these Strawberry Pudding Shots are one of the best ones to start with. Pudding shots are a simple to make and even simpler to consume, and are always the hit of the party.

To make strawberry Starbust pudding shots, you simply mix together pudding mix with milk and alcohol. All you need is a measuring cup and a whisk. I think these are even easier to make than jello shots (and you know we LOVE jello shots) because there’s no need to even boil water.

This recipe uses lemonade vodka blended with strawberry pudding to make a shot that resembles the flavors of the delicious pink Starburst candy. For an extra little surprise, it’s garnished with a Starburst too.

There are so many incredible variations of pudding shots to try. If you’re more of a chocolate fan, these Chocolate Rumchata Pudding Shots will satisfy your sweet tooth. If you haven’t tried Peanut Butter Whiskey yet, I highly recommend giving my recipe for Reese’s Peanut Butter Pudding Shots a try.

An image of the Ingredients to make starbust pudding shots

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy pudding shot recipe.

Whipped topping – You can use Cool Whip or a store brand version for this. Let it thaw on the counter for an hour before you start making your pudding shot.
Pink lemonade vodka – Smirnoff and Svedka both make delicious versions but any brand will do.
Milk – 2% or whole milk will help your pudding thicken up.
Strawberry pudding mix – You’ll need to buy instant pudding but any brand will work fine. I really like the Sonic Strawberry Shake pudding.
Whipped cream – This will be used for garnishing so you can make your own or buy a squirt can.
Starburst Mini’s – For a garnish; the dark red or light pink will look pretty but you can make it colorful and use all the colors if you want. I like these ones that are already unwrapped.
Condiment cups – These work well because they’re wide and shallow but plastic shot glasses will also work ok.

adding pink lemonade vodka to a bowl with milk and pudding mix

How to Make Starburst Pudding Shots

It’s a lot easier to make strawberry pudding shots than you might imagine. Here’s what you do:

Make the pudding. First, grab a large mixing bowl and dump in the pink lemonade vodka. Then add the milk, and finally, the pudding mix. Use a whisk to combine until the mixture gets thick and creamy, and is well incorporated.
Fold in the Cool Whip. Use a spatula to slowly add in scoops of the cool whip and fold it together carefully.
Portion. Place even portions in your condiment cups. Garnish with whipped cream and a Starburst Mini on each one.

pudding shots with starbursts on a white tray surrounded by starbursts

Tips for Making Perfect Pudding Shots

When you make Starburst Pudding Shots, there are some tricks you can follow that will help ensure success.

Thaw the Cool Whip first. Make sure your Cool Whip is well thawed before you begin. If it’s still frozen, it will leave lumps of cool whip in your mixture.
Fold the ingredients slowly. When you fold your Cool Whip into the pudding, do so slowly and carefully, and just fold until it’s combined. You want the air in the Cool Whip to remain in the mixture so it stays fluffy.
Keep stored until serving. Pudding shots taste best when they’re cold, so store them in the fridge until you serve them.
What do I do if my pudding shots look runny? If your mixture begins to look a bit runny, finish mixing, then cover with plastic wrap and put the bowl in the fridge for at least an hour. This should help the pudding set up. If it’s still too runny, stir in additional Cool Whip to get the desired consistency.

Strawberry Pudding Shot Variations

If you want to change up the recipe, here are a few quick ways:

Use vanilla vodka for a creamy Strawberry Vanilla Pudding Shot
Try coconut vodka for a luau or Caribbean-themed party
Garnish with fresh strawberries
Drizzle a bit of strawberry syrup over the whipped cream
Experiment with different pudding/vodka combinations to make different flavors

Serving Suggestions

These Starburst pudding shots are so delicious, they’re like mini little desserts, and they’re the hit of any party. Instead of showing up with a bottle of booze or a 6-pack of beer, everyone will thank you for bringing these along.

These are super easy to transport, thanks to the condiment cup lids. You may want to garnish just before serving to prevent the whipped cream from melting.

And if you plan on serving a big crowd, feel free to double or triple the recipe. Just grab a bigger bowl!

I recommend serving these with taster spoons for easy.

A photo of a hand holding a strawberry and starbust pudding shot

How to Store Pudding Shots

You can store your leftover Strawberry Pudding Shots in the fridge for 3-5 days. Keep them covered for the best flavor. If they begin to separate, discard and make a fresh batch.

You can also freeze your Starburst Pudding Shots. Keep them covered in the freezer for 2-3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before serving.

Can Starburst Pudding Shots Be Made In Advance?

One of the best things about pudding shots is that they can be made ahead of any party. You can even garnish them ahead of time, but I recommend filling your cups, putting the lids on them, freezing or refrigerating them, then garnishing just before serving.