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These Jolly Rancher shots are fruity, smooth, and taste like the classic candy without being overly sweet. Made with apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice, they take just five minutes and make six shots: perfect for an easy party drink.
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Pin ItI’ve made these for parties over the years, and I recently made them again while filming a new video. I was reminded why I love this recipe so much: you get that fun candy-inspired flavor, but the cranberry keeps the shots from tasting overly sugary.
If you love fun party shots, try my Lemon Drop Shots, Gummy Bear Shots, Birthday Cake Shots, or see all of my easy shot recipes.
What Is a Jolly Rancher Shot?
A Jolly Rancher shot is a fruity vodka shot inspired by the classic candy. There are several ways to make one, but my version combines apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice for a sweet-tart flavor without having to dissolve candy in vodka first.
Why You’ll Love This Jolly Rancher Shot Recipe
Just four ingredients: Apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice.
Ready in five minutes: Add everything to a cocktail shaker, shake with ice, and strain.
Candy flavor without actual candy: The apple vodka and fruit juices give these that nostalgic sweet-tart flavor without having to infuse vodka with Jolly Ranchers.
Makes six shots: Perfect for a small party, and the recipe is easy to double.
Not overly sweet: Cranberry juice adds just enough tartness to balance the peach schnapps and pineapple juice.
Jolly Rancher Shot Ingredients
You only need four ingredients for this recipe.
Apple vodka: My favorite for this shot. The tart apple flavor gives it that candy-inspired taste without making it overly sweet.
Peach schnapps: Adds fruity peach flavor and a little sweetness. You’ll use equal parts peach schnapps and vodka.
Cranberry juice: Adds tartness and gives the shots their pretty pink-red color. I use sweetened cranberry juice rather than unsweetened here.
Pineapple juice: Rounds everything out with tropical sweetness and gives the shot a smooth, fruity finish.
How to Make a Jolly Rancher Shot
Step 1: Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2: Add 4 ounces apple vodka, 4 ounces peach schnapps, 6 ounces cranberry juice, and 4 ounces pineapple juice.
Step 3: Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels really cold.
Step 4: Strain into six shot glasses and serve immediately.
Eden’s Tips
Get them really cold: Shake for the full 15 to 20 seconds. A little dilution from the ice also helps smooth out the vodka and schnapps.
Use sweetened cranberry juice: Unsweetened cranberry juice makes these much more tart than intended.
Chill the glasses: Pop the shot glasses in the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving. An ice-cold shot is so much better!
Add a candy rim: For a fun party version, crush Jolly Rancher candies and use them to rim the glasses.
Want them stronger? Reduce the cranberry juice slightly rather than adding more vodka, which can overpower the fruity flavor.
Jolly Rancher Shot Variations
There are so many ways to change the flavor of a Jolly Rancher shot. If you want to experiment, try swapping the apple vodka for another fruit-flavored vodka.
Green Apple: Use green apple vodka for an extra-tart apple flavor.
Cherry: Swap the apple vodka for cherry vodka.
Watermelon: Try watermelon vodka for a watermelon candy-inspired version.
Raspberry: Raspberry vodka gives the shots a sweet-tart berry flavor.
You can also serve the original recipe with a crushed Jolly Rancher rim or a piece of candy alongside each glass.
Jolly Rancher Shot FAQs
It’s fruity, sweet, and slightly tart with apple, peach, cranberry, and pineapple flavors. Even though it’s inspired by candy, this version isn’t overly sugary.
I prefer apple vodka because its tart fruit flavor works so well with the other ingredients. If you want to experiment with the flavor, try green apple, cherry, raspberry, or watermelon vodka.
Yes. Combine all four ingredients without ice and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, shake the mixture with ice for 15 to 20 seconds and strain into shot glasses.
Yes. Plain vodka works, but the shot won’t have quite as much of that candy-inspired fruit flavor. I prefer apple vodka because it adds another layer of sweet-tart apple flavor without adding more sugar.
More Easy Shot Recipes
If you’re making these for a party, try my Lemon Drop Shots, Gummy Bear Shots, Birthday Cake Shots, Margarita Shots, or browse all of my easy shot recipes.
If you make these Jolly Rancher shots, leave a star rating and comment below. I love hearing how you served them and what you were celebrating!
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Jolly Rancher Shot
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple vodka
- 4 ounces peach schnapps
- 6 ounces cranberry juice
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
Instructions
- Add 4 ounces apple vodka, 4 ounces peach schnapps, 6 ounces cranberry juice, and 4 ounces pineapple juice.
- Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the shaker is very cold.
- Strain into six shot glasses and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Vodka: Apple vodka gives these the classic sweet-tart candy flavor. You can experiment with other fruit-flavored vodkas, like cherry, raspberry, watermelon, or green apple.
- Cranberry juice: Use sweetened cranberry juice rather than unsweetened so the shots aren’t too tart.
- Serve cold: Shake for the full 15 to 20 seconds and serve immediately. For extra-cold shots, chill the shot glasses for about 10 minutes first.
- Make ahead: Combine the apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice without ice and refrigerate. Shake with ice just before serving.
- Candy rim: Crush Jolly Rancher candies and use them to rim the shot glasses for a fun party version.
- Stronger shots: Reduce the cranberry juice slightly rather than adding more vodka so you don’t overpower the fruity flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are the best!
I made them as the recipe says. They’re good…but not really Jolly Rancher flavored. Then I read what you wrote and you say CHERRY vodka even though the recipe says apple. I’m perplexed
These are so good!
Nice Post!
These shots were such a fun, yummy addition to our cul-de-sac game night last night. And everyone thought they really tasted like Jolly Ranchers!