If you’re a fan of candy and cocktails, then you’re in for a treat! With just two ingredients and sour gummies for the garnish, this easy, colorful drink will be the hit of the party.
This sweet and tangy shot captures the essence of the Jolly Rancher hard candy, making it a fun and nostalgic choice for those who enjoy a playful twist on their cocktails.
The twist? Thread two or three chewy and delightfully puckery Jolly Rancher GUMMY Candies on a toothpick for a fabulous finisher!
The Jolly Rancher Shot: A Taste of Childhood in a Grownup Cocktail
The Jolly Rancher Shot is a fruity, candy-inspired cocktail that’s as fun to make as it is to drink. It’s typically made with green apple vodka to mimic the classic Jolly Rancher flavor, but you can experiment with other flavors like watermelon or blue raspberry to mix things up.
Here’s our simple recipe to get you started:
- 1.5 oz Watermelon Pucker
- 0.25 oz Blue Curacao
- 3 Jolly Rancher Gummies
Perfect Pairings: Snacks to Complement Your Shot
When it comes to pairing snacks with the Jolly Rancher Shot, think light and refreshing. The shot itself is quite sweet, so you’ll want something that can balance out the flavors. Here are a few suggestions:
- Cheese and Crackers: The saltiness of the cheese and the crunch of the crackers provide a nice contrast to the sweet and tangy shot.
- Fresh Fruit: Slices of apple, chunks of watermelon, or a handful of blueberries can complement the fruity flavors in the shot.
- Salty Nuts: Almonds, cashews, or peanuts can help cleanse the palate and enhance the flavors of the shot.
- Candy all day: Leave out a bowl of the infamous wrapped Jolly Rancher hard candies so everyone can reminisce and let the flavor linger.
The Sweet Story of Jolly Rancher Candy
This Jolly Rancher Shot Recipe wouldn’t exist without the candy that inspired it. Jolly Rancher candies were first introduced in 1949, and their intense fruit flavors and hard, tooth-sticky texture quickly made them a favorite among candy lovers. The name “Jolly Rancher” was chosen to suggest a hospitable, western company. Today, Jolly Rancher offers a variety of products, including gummies, lollipops, and even sodas, but it’s their classic hard candies that remain the most popular.
Interestingly, the Jolly Rancher Shot is just one example of how these candies have inspired other creations. There are Jolly Rancher-themed desserts, sodas, and even lip balms! It’s a testament to the candy’s enduring popularity and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Our fun Jolly Rancher Shot Recipe uses their branded gummy candy, ready to be enjoyed one at a time after taking the shot!
The bottom line
Whether you’re a fan of the candy or just looking for a fun and fruity cocktail, this three-ingredient, easy, and pucker–worthy Jolly Rancher Shot recipe is a great choice. Its sweet, tangy flavor and vibrant layers make it a hit at parties, and its candy-inspired origins add a touch of nostalgia.
More Cocktail Recipes
Jolly Rancher Shot Recipe
If you're a fan of candy and cocktails, then you're in for a treat! With just two ingredients + sour gummy garnish, this easy, colorful drink will be the hit of the party.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Watermelon Pucker
- 0.25 oz Blue Curacao
- 3 Jolly Rancher Sour Gummies (Garnish)
Instructions
- Measure out the Watermelon Pucker with the jigger and pour it into the shot glass.
- Next, you’ll layer the blue curacao, but the trick is to drizzle it over the Pucker gently and slowly so it lays on top instead of blending. With your bar spoon upside down over the mouth of the shot glass so the tip of the spoon is against the glass’s inside rim, carefully and slowly drizzle the blue curacao over the spoon. Leave about ¼ inch at the top.
- For the garnish, choose 3 Jolly Rancher gummies of your choice (we used the pink, red, and blue sour gummies).
- Pierce through the middle of each gummy with the toothpick, then place it on top of the shot glass.
