Mexican Candy Shot Recipe

We love how this Mexican candy shot recipe blends sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. It's a nod to Mexico's rich culinary traditions, inspired by treats like paletas con chile. The mix of watermelon schnapps, tequila, and hot sauce creates an exciting taste explosion.

This quick-to-make shot is perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties or summer gatherings. With its eye-catching look and bold taste, it's sure to be a hit. We can whip it up in just 5 minutes, making it perfect for both seasoned bartenders and anyone new to mixing drinks.

Ready to impress your guests with something bold and fun? Let's make this flavorful shot together!

Ingredients for a Mexican Candy Shot

Let’s take a closer look at what makes a Mexican Candy Shot so unique. Each ingredient plays a key role in creating that perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors we love.

Tequila

We recommend using silver (also called blanco) tequila for this recipe. Silver tequila has a clean, crisp taste that won't overpower the other flavors.

Why silver tequila? It's unaged, which means it keeps its pure agave flavor. This works great with the sweet and spicy notes in our shot. If you want to mix things up, try mezcal instead. It'll give your shot a smoky twist.

Some good silver tequila brands to try:

• Espolòn Blanco
• Olmeca Altos Plata
• Casamigos Blanco

Watermelon Schnapps

Watermelon schnapps is what gives our shot that candy-like sweetness. It adds a fruity kick that balances out the spice and alcohol. We often use Watermelon Pucker, but any watermelon schnapps will do the trick.

Don't have schnapps? No problem! You can use fresh watermelon juice instead. It'll make your shot less sweet but more natural. To make it, blend some watermelon chunks and strain the juice.

Lime Juice

Lime juice does double duty in this recipe. First, we use it to wet the rim of our shot glass. This helps our spicy rim mix stick better.

Second, lime juice adds a tangy zip to the drink itself. It cuts through the sweetness and booze, creating a more balanced flavor. Always go for fresh lime juice if you can. The bottled stuff just doesn't taste the same.

Pro tip: Roll your lime on the counter before juicing. It'll help you get more juice out of it!

Hot Sauce

Hot sauce brings the heat to our Mexican Candy Shot. It's what gives the drink its kick and makes it stand out from other sweet shots. We like using Mexican-style hot sauces like Cholula or Tapatio.

Remember, you can always adjust the amount of hot sauce to your liking. Start with just a dash if you're not big on spice. Love the burn? Add an extra shake or two!

Hot sauce adds a spicy kick that complements the sweetness of the watermelon schnapps.

Tajín

Tajín is our secret weapon for an awesome rim on our Mexican Candy Shot. It's a chili-lime seasoning that adds tang, spice, and a bit of salt to every sip. You'll find it in most grocery stores these days.

No Tajín? No worries! You can make your own rim mix:

• 1 part chili powder
• 1 part salt
• Zest from 1 lime

Mix these together and you've got a great Tajín alternative. It'll still give your shot that classic Mexican Candy flavor we're after.

How to Make a Mexican Candy Shot

Let's whip up a tasty Mexican Candy Shot! We'll start by giving our shot glass a zesty rim.

First, we'll grab a lime wedge and run it around the edge of the glass. Then we'll dip the wet rim into some Tajín seasoning for that perfect spicy-tangy kick.

Now for the good stuff. We'll toss some ice into our cocktail shaker and pour in our tequila. Next, we'll add a splash of watermelon schnapps for sweetness.

To bring the heat, we'll dash in some hot sauce. The amount depends on how spicy we want it.

Time to shake it up! We'll give our shaker a good workout for about 10-15 seconds.

Now we'll carefully strain our spicy-sweet mix into our rimmed shot glass. No ice needed here - we want it smooth and sippable.

For the finishing touch, we'll garnish with a small watermelon slice or lime wedge. It looks great and adds a fresh scent.

There we have it - a perfect Mexican Candy Shot, ready to enjoy!

Variations of the Mexican Candy Shot

Let’s mix things up with some creative twists on our Mexican Candy Shot! We love experimenting with flavors to keep things fresh and exciting.

For a tropical spin, try swapping watermelon schnapps with mango schnapps or mango juice. It adds a sweet, sunny vibe to this spicy-sweet favorite.

Want to turn it into a longer drink? Just double the ingredients and serve it over ice. It’s perfect for sipping on a warm day.

If some of us aren’t drinking, no worries! Replace the tequila with sparkling water and use fresh fruit juice instead of schnapps for a fun, booze-free version.

Looking for something bold? Use chamoy sauce to rim the glass instead of lime juice. Its tangy-sweet flavor pairs perfectly with Tajín.

Feeling adventurous? Switch out the watermelon for strawberry or guava juice to create a whole new flavor.

The best part? We can mix and match these ideas to find what we love most. The secret is keeping that perfect balance of sweet and spicy that makes the Mexican Candy Shot so irresistible.

Related Recipes You'll Love

• Watermelon Margarita
• Lavender Margarita
• White Gummy Bear Shots
• Chamoy Shots
• Paloma Cocktail
• Mezcal Paloma Cocktail
• Mezcal Margarita
• Bahama Mama
• Mai Tai
• Piña Colada
• Gin and Tonic Cocktail

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the Mexican Candy Shot?

The Mexican Candy Shot draws inspiration from traditional Mexican sweets. We trace its roots to the beloved paletas, which are watermelon-flavored lollipops popular in Mexico.

These candies play a big role in Mexican culture, often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations. The shot aims to capture these festive flavors in liquid form.

What's the difference between a Mexican Candy Shot and a Paleta Shot?

We use these names for the same drink. Both refer to the shot that mimics Mexican candy flavors.

"Paleta" means lollipop in Spanish, so the names highlight the drink's sweet inspiration. Whether you call it a Mexican Candy Shot or a Paleta Shot, you're getting the same tasty drink.

What does a Mexican Candy Shot taste like?

We describe the Mexican Candy Shot as a mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. It's a fun taste explosion in your mouth!

The watermelon schnapps brings sweetness, while hot sauce adds a kick. The Tajín rim gives a savory touch that ties it all together.

What's the best tequila for the Mexican Candy Shot?

We recommend using a good-quality tequila for the best flavor. Look for bottles labeled "100% agave" for the smoothest taste.

Silver or blanco tequila works well in this shot. These types don't overpower the other flavors but still add that classic tequila punch.

How strong is a Mexican Candy Shot?

We estimate a typical Mexican Candy Shot contains about 1.5 ounces of alcohol. This comes from the tequila and watermelon schnapps.

The strength can change based on the brands you use. Adding extra schnapps or hot sauce can also affect the alcohol content.

How many calories are in a Mexican Candy Shot?

We can't give an exact count, but Mexican Candy Shots are usually low in calories. The simple ingredients keep the calorie count down.

Compared to creamy cocktails or sugary mixed drinks, this shot is a lighter option. It's a tasty choice for those watching their calorie intake.

Mexican Candy Shot Recipe

We love this spicy-sweet shot that packs a flavor punch. It's a perfect blend of tequila, watermelon, and heat that'll wake up your taste buds. It’s a fun and easy drink that’s always a hit at any gathering.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 1

Equipment

• Shot glass
• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Small plate (for rimming)
• Bar spoon or stirrer

Ingredients

  

• 1 oz tequila silver or blanco
• 0.5 oz watermelon schnapps
• 0.5 oz hot sauce
• lime juice for rimming
• tajín for rimming
• lime wedge or watermelon slice for garnish optional

Instructions

 

• Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the shot glass, then dip it in Tajín to coat.
• Fill a shaker with ice and add tequila, watermelon schnapps, and hot sauce. Shake well for 10-15 seconds until chilled.
• Strain the mixture into the prepared shot glass. Add a lime wedge or watermelon slice as a garnish if you like.

Notes

• Can't find watermelon schnapps? Try strawberry or mango flavored liqueurs instead. They'll give a similar fruity kick.
• No Tajín on hand? Mix chili powder with a bit of salt and sugar. It's not exactly the same, but it'll do in a pinch.
• For a sweeter shot, add a dash of simple syrup. Start with just a little and adjust to taste.
• Start with less hot sauce and add more if needed. It's easier to add heat than to take it away.
• Serve the shot right after making it. The flavors are best when fresh and cold.

Keyword mexican candy shot recipe, paleta shot recipe, recipe for mexican candy shot