Is your sweet tooth whispering in your ear tonight? Satisfy it with a Jolly Rancher Shot.
I spent the other day flying back to the East Coast for the Christmas holidays. My flights are usually the same, as I do my best to avoid crowds and super expensive fares. Tuesdays or Wednesdays tend to be good days to travel, as it’s usually just regular business flyers and the prices are very reasonable. In fact, on those days you can usually get a Main Cabin Extra seat that comes with more legroom, priority seating and complimentary cocktails for less than economy on a busy weekend. It isn’t First Class, but for me it doesn’t have to be. I’m pretty easy, and flying like that makes the day a relaxing one.
We were about forty-five minutes away from landing in Washington D.C., where I’d be spending the rest of the week with my brother before we drove up to my parents’ house in Pennsylvania. I was in a window seat in the row right behind First Class, so the view I had of the waning gibbous moon shining brightly over the Potomac was outstanding and magical. Pink Floyd was playing on my headphones, “Green is the Colour” specifically, and as we landed I was filled with an emotion that was hard to describe. And of all the things I was in the mood for as we deplaned, I was craving candy and a cocktail.
Tonight’s drink fit the bill perfectly. The Jolly Rancher Shot, which is a scaled-down version of a Jolly Rancher Punch, scratched the two itches my long day of flying across the country had given me. Not wanting to spend any more time out, my brother and I opted to whip up something at his place, using whatever he had on hand. A little vodka, some peach schnapps and cranberry juice provided us with a few sweet and potent Jolly Rancher shooters, and soon enough the long day had turned into a laid-back night, followed by a much-needed slumber.
The Jolly Rancher Shot has no history I could find, or a mixologist of note that has claimed ownership. But I’m still not surprised that it exists. While a young adult in college, I was often given a bottle or two of Zima at a party—this was the nineties, folks—and nine times out of ten, a Jolly Rancher candy was sitting at the bottom. As this was a popular way to enjoy this drink back then, the fact that the candy now has a cocktail of its own seems like something that was meant to be.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Jolly Rancher Shot?
Because of the presence of peach schnapps and cranberry juice, I suggest making your first few Jolly Rancher Shots with an unflavored vodka, so the ingredients come together in a balanced form. Later you can experiment with other flavors. DeKuyper’s Peachtree was the first peach schnapps sold in the United States starting in 1984, and it started the fad of cocktails being made with it. Definitely grab a bottle of one, as you can’t beat the price or the flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce peach schnapps
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- Candied ginger for garnish
Instructions
- Chill the shot glass in the freezer to keep the shot cool.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice with ice.
- Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and mix the ingredients well.
- Strain into the chilled shot glass and serve immediately. Garnish with candied ginger.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?
Chill some standard shot glasses in your freezer for up to thirty minutes before serving. Garnish the rims with a generously sized piece of candied ginger.
CAN YOU MAKE DIFFERENT FLAVORED JOLLY RANCHER SHOTS?
You can absolutely play around with making different tasting versions of this shot. You can try using various flavored schnapps and juices, as well as vodkas. This is where you can let your imagination take the wheel as you find the flavors you enjoy.
Similar Drinks To The Jolly Rancher Shot
The holidays are here and your house is getting crowded. Once everyone is settled in and ready to enjoy some rest and relaxation, that’s when you can bring out a tray of ice-cold and inviting Jolly Rancher Shots. And after those become a huge hit, you can check out even more crowd-pleasing recipes right here at Twist & Toast for your friends and family to enjoy.
- Gummy Bear Shot – Here’s another candy-flavored treat that’ll keep the party going well past midnight.
- Lemon Drop Shot – If you crave something tart and sweet, this shooter has you covered.
- Mexican Candy Shot – A little drink with a big and spicy kick.
- Jello Shot – The versatile and fun party favorite will please even the biggest Scrooge at your next holiday party.
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