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These Jolly Rancher shots are fruity, smooth, and taste like the classic candy without being overly sweet. I make them with apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice, then shake everything with ice until it’s really cold. They take just five minutes and make six shots, so they’re an easy one to pull out for a party.
If you love fun party shots, try my Lemon Drop Shots, Gummy Bear Shots, Birthday Cake Shots, or browse all of my easy shot recipes.
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Pin ItI’ve made these Jolly Rancher shots for countless parties over the years, and they’re always one of the first drinks to disappear.
What Is a Jolly Rancher Shot?
A Jolly Rancher shot is a fruity vodka shot inspired by Jolly Rancher 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 shot that’s fruity without being overly sugary.
Why You’ll Love This Jolly Rancher Shot Recipe
It tastes like candy. Apple vodka and fruit juice give these that sweet-tart Jolly Rancher flavor.
Ready in five minutes. Add everything to a cocktail shaker, shake with ice, and strain.
Makes six shots. Perfect for a small party, and you can easily double the recipe for a bigger group.
Not overly sweet. Cranberry juice adds tartness to balance the peach schnapps and pineapple juice.
Easy to customize. Change the vodka flavor to make green apple, cherry, raspberry, or watermelon-inspired Jolly Rancher shots.
Jolly Rancher Shot Ingredients
You only need four ingredients for this recipe.
Apple vodka: This is my favorite vodka for a Jolly Rancher shot. Its tart fruitiness gives the drink that candy-inspired flavor. You can also experiment with green apple, cherry, raspberry, or watermelon vodka.
Peach schnapps: Adds a sweet, fruity peach flavor and softens the vodka. You’ll use equal parts peach schnapps and vodka in this recipe.
Cranberry juice: Adds tartness and gives the shots their pretty pink-red color. I use sweetened cranberry juice rather than unsweetened cranberry juice 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.
Best Vodka for Jolly Rancher Shots
Apple vodka is my first choice because its tart fruitiness works so well with the cranberry, pineapple, and peach flavors. It’s what I use in my original recipe and gives the shots that nostalgic candy flavor without making them overly sweet.
Plain vodka will work in a pinch, but flavored vodka gives these more of that Jolly Rancher-inspired flavor. For other options, try one of the variations below.
Eden’s Tips
Get them really cold. Shake for the full 15 to 20 seconds. The little bit of dilution from the ice also helps smooth out the vodka and schnapps.
Use sweetened cranberry juice. Unsweetened cranberry juice will make these much more tart than intended.
Chill the shot glasses. Pop them in the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving. It’s a small thing, but an ice-cold shot is so much better.
Add a candy rim. Crush Jolly Rancher candies into small pieces and use them to rim the glasses for an extra-fun party version.
Make them a little stronger. Reduce the cranberry juice slightly instead of adding more vodka, which can throw off the fruity flavor.
Jolly Rancher Shot Variations
One of the fun things about this recipe is how easy it is to change the flavor just by switching the vodka.
Green Apple Jolly Rancher Shot: Use green apple vodka and follow the rest of the recipe as written.
Cherry Jolly Rancher Shot: Swap the apple vodka for cherry vodka.
Watermelon Jolly Rancher Shot: Use watermelon vodka for a watermelon candy-inspired version.
Raspberry Jolly Rancher Shot: Raspberry vodka gives it a sweet-tart berry flavor.
Sour Apple Jolly Rancher Shot: Swap some of the peach schnapps for sour apple schnapps for an extra-tart version.
Spicy Jolly Rancher Shot: Add a small splash of fresh ginger juice before shaking. I love how a little heat balances all of the sweet fruit flavors.
Jolly Rancher Shot FAQs
Yes! Combine the apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice without ice and keep the mixture in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Right before serving, pour it into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake for 15 to 20 seconds, and strain into shot glasses.
I prefer shaking these right before serving because you get that really cold, smooth shot without letting melting ice water down the mixture.
My Jolly Rancher shot is made with apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. The combination creates a fruity, sweet-tart flavor inspired by Jolly Rancher candy.
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 the tart fruit flavor works beautifully with the other ingredients. Green apple, cherry, raspberry, and watermelon vodka are all fun variations.
Yes. Mix all four ingredients together without ice and refrigerate. Shake the mixture with ice just before serving, then strain it into shot glasses.
This recipe makes six shots using 4 ounces apple vodka, 4 ounces peach schnapps, 6 ounces cranberry juice, and 4 ounces pineapple juice.
Yes. Plain vodka works, but the flavor won’t be quite as candy-like. I prefer apple or another fruit-flavored vodka for this recipe.
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.
These are some of my favorite shots when I want something colorful, fruity, and fun without being overly sweet. If you make them, leave a star rating and a 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
- Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice.
- Pour in the apple vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice.
- Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the shaker is very cold.
- Strain into 6 shot glasses and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Vodka: Apple vodka is my favorite for this recipe, but green apple, cherry, raspberry, or watermelon vodka are all fun variations.
- Cranberry juice: Use sweetened cranberry juice rather than unsweetened for the best balance of sweet and tart.
- Serve them cold: Shake for the full 15 to 20 seconds and serve immediately. You can also chill your shot glasses in the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Make ahead: Combine all four ingredients without ice and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, shake the mixture with ice and strain into shot glasses.
- Candy rim: For a fun party version, crush Jolly Rancher candies into small pieces and use them to rim the shot glasses.
- 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!