If you’re a fan of margaritas and looking to add a zesty kick to your next gathering, the Mexican Candy Shot is your perfect drink. Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Mexican candy, this tequila-based shot combines the sweetness of watermelon with a spicy, tangy rim that will tantalize your taste buds. Sometimes called a Paleta Shot, this vibrant pink concoction is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. Get ready to learn how to craft this delicious shot and bring a taste of Mexico to your home bar!
Mexican Candy Shot served in shot glasses with Tajin rim
What is the Mexican Candy Shot?
The Mexican Candy Shot is a playful and potent drink designed to mimic the flavors of popular Mexican candies, particularly those watermelon flavored lollipops coated in chili powder. Imagine the sweet and slightly artificial taste of watermelon candy, but with an adult twist thanks to tequila, and then amplified by the spicy and savory rim of Tajín. This shot is a delightful contrast of sweet, spicy, and sour, making it an exciting experience for your palate. The beautiful pink hue comes from watermelon pucker, also known as watermelon schnapps, which provides the core fruity sweetness of the drink.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To whip up these exciting Mexican Candy Shots, you’ll only need a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you should gather:
- Tequila: The spirit base of our shot. Silver tequila, also known as blanco tequila, is the traditional choice for its clean and crisp flavor that blends well in mixed drinks.
- Watermelon Pucker: This is what gives the shot its signature watermelon flavor and vibrant pink color. Watermelon schnapps is essentially the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
- Hot Sauce (Optional): For an extra layer of heat within the shot itself, a dash or two of hot sauce can be added. This is optional but recommended for a more authentic “Mexican Candy” experience.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for rimming the shot glasses. Its acidity helps the Tajín adhere to the glass and adds a necessary tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Tajín Clásico Seasoning: This is the magic ingredient for the rim! Tajín is a popular Mexican seasoning made from chili peppers, lime, and sea salt. It delivers a unique tangy, spicy, and salty flavor that perfectly complements the sweet shot.
You’ll also need shot glasses, a cocktail shaker, and ice to prepare this recipe.
Mexican Candy Shot ingredients including tequila, watermelon pucker, lime, Tajin and hot sauce
Choosing Your Tequila
For Mexican Candy Shots, you’ll want to use a silver or blanco tequila. Since it’s mixed with other strong flavors, you don’t need to reach for the most expensive bottle. An affordable, quality silver tequila will work perfectly. The goal is to have a clean tequila flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. If you’re feeling adventurous and prefer a smoky note, you can experiment with Mezcal instead of tequila. Mezcal will add a deeper, more complex flavor profile to your Mexican Candy Shot.
Selecting the Perfect Hot Sauce
While the hot sauce is optional, a few dashes can really elevate this shot. Cholula and Tapatio are excellent and widely available choices. Cholula offers a balanced heat with a distinctive flavor, while Tapatio is known for its bolder and slightly more vinegary spice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other Mexican hot sauces to find your favorite level of heat. Remember, a little goes a long way, especially if you’re not accustomed to spicy drinks. Start with just a dash or two and adjust to your preference.
Let’s Make a Mexican Candy Shot – Step-by-Step
This recipe is designed for one shot, making it easy to multiply for a group.
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Prepare the Shot Glass Rim: Pour a little lime juice onto a small plate and Tajín onto another. Dip the rim of your shot glass into the lime juice to moisten it, then immediately dip it into the Tajín, rotating gently to coat the rim evenly.
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Combine Ingredients in a Shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the tequila and watermelon pucker. If desired, add 1-2 dashes of your chosen hot sauce.
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Shake Well: Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This chills the drink and properly mixes the ingredients.
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Pour and Serve: Strain the mixture into your prepared shot glass, being careful not to disturb the Tajín rim. Serve immediately and enjoy the flavorful kick!
Close up of Tajin rim on a Mexican Candy Shot glass
Tips and Variations for the Best Shot
- Adjust Sweetness: Mexican Candy Shots are intended to be strong and not overly sweet. If you prefer a sweeter shot, add about half an ounce of simple syrup to the shaker before mixing. This will bring it closer to a watermelon margarita in sweetness.
- Rim Alternatives: If you don’t have Tajín, you can use chili powder mixed with salt for a similar spicy and savory rim. For a sweeter rim, consider using sugar or a mixture of sugar and chili powder.
- Garnish Ideas: Enhance the presentation with a lime wedge, a small slice of watermelon, an edible flower, or even a mini Mexican paleta lollipop placed on the rim.
- Make it with Mezcal: For a smoky twist, substitute tequila with Mezcal. This will give the shot a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Fruity Variations: To increase the fruitiness, add a splash of watermelon juice or another complementary fruit liqueur like a melon liqueur to the shaker.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Mexican Candy Shots are perfect for parties, celebrations, or any gathering where you want to offer a fun and flavorful drink. They are especially fitting for Mexican-themed fiestas or as a spicy starter to a dinner party.
Consider serving these shots alongside:
- Spicy Appetizers: Dishes like jalapeño poppers, spicy guacamole with chili-lime tortilla chips, or mini chicken tinga tacos.
- Mexican Street Food: Pair them with elote (Mexican street corn), esquites (corn salad), or mini quesadillas.
- Tequila-Based Cocktails: Serve alongside other tequila cocktails like margaritas or palomas to keep the Mexican theme consistent.
Mexican Candy Shot recipe instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Mexican Candy Shot?
It’s a flavorful and slightly spicy shot inspired by Mexican candy. It’s made with tequila, watermelon pucker, and often features a Tajín rim for a sweet, spicy, and tangy experience.
What is the difference between a Paleta Shot and Mexican Candy Shot?
There is no difference! Paleta Shot and Mexican Candy Shot are just two different names for the same delicious recipe. You might also hear it called a Mexican lollipop shot, all referring to this tequila and watermelon concoction with a spicy rim.
What can you use in place of watermelon pucker?
If you can’t find watermelon pucker or watermelon schnapps, you can substitute another melon-flavored schnapps or liqueur. For a less alcoholic version, you could use watermelon juice or another sweet fruit juice, but the flavor and consistency will be different.
Can I make Mexican Candy Shots ahead of time?
It’s best to prepare Mexican Candy Shots just before serving. You can rim the glasses ahead of time, but the shot itself is best when freshly shaken and chilled.
How can I make the shot less spicy?
If you are sensitive to spice, you can omit the hot sauce entirely from the shot and use less Tajín on the rim, or even just a plain salted rim.
How can I make the shot sweeter?
To make it sweeter, add about half an ounce of simple syrup to the cocktail shaker when mixing the ingredients. You could also use a sweeter watermelon liqueur or add a splash of agave nectar.
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Ingredients
- 1 ounce tequila
- ½ ounce watermelon pucker
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- lime juice (for rim )
- tajin (for rim )
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
Instructions
- Prepare your shot glasses by rimming the outside of each glass with lime juice and Tajín.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila and watermelon pucker with hot sauce and ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
- Pour into shot glasses. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This shot is strong and not sweet at all. If you want to create a sweeter version, I recommend adding half an ounce of simple syrup to this recipe. This will remind you more of a watermelon margarita.
- If you don’t have Tajín available, you can use chili powder for the rim or a mixture of salt and chili pepper. You could also do a sugared rim if you want to lean into a sweeter version.
- Garnish ideas: Lime, watermelon, edible flower or a paleta lollipop.
© Author Elsie Larson
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keywords shot recipe
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Mexican Candy Shot
Amount per Serving
Calories 66
% Daily Value*
Sodium 6 mg 0 %
Potassium 1 mg 0 %
Vitamin A 0.3 IU 0 %
Vitamin C 0.1 mg 0 %
Calcium 0.02 mg 0 %
Iron 0.01 mg 0 %
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
