Remember how excited you’d get as a kid around Halloween, Christmas, your birthday – any time you knew there’d be candy around? Well, you can relive that excitement tonight, with a grown-up twist. It’s no secret that we love using candy in the kitchen whenever we can, but what about at the bar? Yep – we’ve put together a list of the most delectable candy-themed cocktails for your next party (helloooo cotton candy martini!).
Whether you’ve got a girl’s night planned or you just want to play around with your bartending skills, grab some candy, some liquor, and a cocktail shaker. Then scroll down for five candy-inspired drinks guaranteed to bring out the kid in anyone!
Cotton Candy Martini
Many cocktails have a reputation for tasting more like candy than alcohol already, but a martini isn’t one of them. Typically made with vodka, vermouth, and olives or even onions, this is about the most grown-up drink you can order. Hello? It has VEGETABLES in it.
That’s why we absolutely love this sweet twist on a classically mature drink. Also known as Cotton Candy Cosmos, Cotton Candy Martinis vary in ingredients, but most recipes call for some combination of flavored vodka, cranberry juice, and – you guessed it – cotton candy!
To make this Cotton Candy Martini recipe from Delishably, stock up on the following:
- Cotton candy flavored vodka
- A tropical fruit-based liqueur
- Cranberry juice
- Cotton candy
- Ice
- A martini shaker
- A martini glass
Don’t forget to delight your inner kid by pouring the drink over the cotton candy and watching it magically dissolve at the bottom of the martini glass!
Jolly Rancher Cosmo
Also known as a Jolly Rancher Martini, this is similar to the Cotton Candy Cosmo but with a deliciously unique texture and flavor. We found a seriously mouthwatering recipe from Liquor.com that lets your inner child grow up without leaving the sweetness behind.
What you’ll need:
- Jolly Rancher Vodka
- Sour apple mix
- Raspberry vodka
- Cranberry juice
- Lime
For a more traditional cosmo, throw in some triple sec – and don’t hesitate to serve alongside some actual jolly ranchers.
Gummy Bear Sangria
The second-best thing about sangria is how creative you can be with the recipe. The best thing is the absolutely delectable fruity flavor! This sweet summer drink is begging for a sweet, candy-themed spin.
What you’ll need:
- Lots of hearty fruit – think apples, pears, oranges, even lemons and limes
- Wine (this recipe suggests white so you can see the gummy bears, but red works too)
- Fruit juice (apple goes well with white wine)
- Fizzy water, or lemon-lime soda for a sweeter taste
- Lime or orange for garnish
- Gummy bears!
This drink is so easy, you’ll want to make it all the time. Simply mix liquid ingredients, pour over fruit and gummy bears, and let chill before serving – long enough for the flavors to set, but not so long the fruit gets soggy.
And yes, you should definitely eat those wine-soaked fruit and gummies!
Pop Rocks Kamikaze
The classic kamikaze is a simple drink made with vodka, triple sec, and lime juice, and served in a cocktail glass or taken as a shot. This bare-bones recipe is the perfect base for a creative, candy-themed twist – like colorful pop rocks!
You can choose from a range of colors/flavors for your pop rocks – triple sec is orange-flavored, but this recipe for a Strawberry Pop Rocks Kamikaze from Tipsy Bartender looks delectable, too.
You’ll want to add the following to your shopping list:
- Fruit-flavored vodka (to match the flavor of your pop rocks)
- Fruit-flavored liqueur
- Triple sec
- Lime juice
- Pop rocks to garnish (salt the rim!)
Butterfinger Shots
Need a break from fruit cocktails? Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you, chocolate-lovers. These Butterfinger Shots will satisfy your sweet tooth with a perfect (grown-up!) blend of chocolate and butterscotch goodness.
The trick to making this drink truly magical is layering the ingredients for a smooth flavor experience. This recipe from DishesDelish has some great tips for layering your shots.
Don’t have the patience? Don’t worry – it tastes just as amazing all mixed up! Just pour in the ingredients and get ready for chocolate heaven.
Ingredients vary by recipe, but definitely grab some:
- Irish cream liqueur, like Bailey’s
- Butterscotch schnapps
- Kahlua or chocolate liqueur (optional)
- Chocolate syrup (or melted chocolate) and Butterfinger for garnish
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Candy Club
At Candy Club, we never get tired of helping you get your sweet fix, whether you’re letting out your inner child at a sophisticated party or hanging out with your actual kids. From Cotton Candy Martinis and gummy bear garnish – there’s so many great ways to enjoy candy. Browse our gourmet candy boxes today!
