Jolly Rancher Cocktail

This Jolly Rancher cocktail mixes candy and vodka for a fun, fruity cocktail everyone will love. Make it fast with just four ingredients.

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This fun and fruity Jolly Rancher cocktail brings bold candy flavor to every glass. It’s sweet, colorful, and perfect for parties. With vodka, soda, and candy, you’ll mix this drink in just minutes. Everyone will want a second round—so be ready!

This recipe is super easy to make, and you can follow the step-by-step guide below. We’ve included helpful photos, pro tips, and tricks to get it just right. Plus, we answer the most frequently asked questions, so you never have to guess.

If you loved Jolly Ranchers as a kid, you’ll love this fizzy cocktail even more. The candy-soaked vodka mixes with lemon-lime soda for a bold, fruity drink that’s perfect for parties.
You only need four ingredients to mix up this bright, fun cocktail. The vodka needs to soak for twenty-four hours, but the drink comes together in just ten minutes after that. Serve it at birthdays, holidays, or casual hangouts with friends. Pair it with easy appetizers like crab Rangoon or loaded baked potato rounds.

What you'll need to make this recipe for Jolly Rancher drink:

•  4 to 6 Jolly Rancher hard candies (plus lots more for garnish)
• 4 ounces of vodka per Jolly Rancher color
• ice cubes
• 8 to 12 ounces of lemon-lime soda

Mix things up and make your Jolly Rancher alcoholic drink your own with these easy swaps and fun add-ins! Keep it bold, sweet, and party-ready with a few simple changes. Try these top substitutions and additions:

• Substitute Vodka: Try using rum or flavored vodka to match your favorite Jolly Rancher flavor.
• Add Fresh Fruit: Drop in sliced strawberries, cherries, or lime wedges for a fresh pop of flavor and color.
• Substitute Lemon-Lime Soda: Use club soda or lemon-flavored sparkling water for a lighter version that still packs a punch.
• Add Candy Garnish: Skewer extra Jolly Ranchers or sour gummies for a fun and colorful drink topper.
• Substitute Jolly Rancher Flavors: Pick just one candy flavor or mix your favorites for a custom candy-infused vodka.

Follow along with our step-by-step photos, easy directions, and helpful tips and tricks to make this fun drink. We’ve made it simple, so you can mix it up without stress. Let’s get started!

FIRST STEP: Place 4 to 6 same-color Jolly Ranchers hard candy into a mason jar or container with a lid. Pour 4 ounces of vodka over the Jolly Ranchers and cover the container with an airtight lid.

Allow the candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture.

SECOND STEP: When ready to make the cocktails, fill the glasses with ice cubes.

THIRD STEP: Add two ounces of candy alcohol to each glass.

FOURTH STEP: Fill the glass the rest of the way with lemon-lime soda.

FIFTH STEP: Top with Jolly Rancher candies and serve.

You can serve this Jolly Rancher vodka drink at so many fun parties and gatherings. It’s a colorful, adult-only drink that brings big candy flavor.

• Birthday parties and celebrations: This drink adds a fun, fruity punch to any party. Guests will love the bright colors and sweet candy flavor. Serve it with cheesy sliders or Taco Bell Mexican pizza for an easy, fun spread.
• Holidays and seasonal events: Make it for Halloween, New Year’s, or summer cookouts. Swap candy colors to match the season. Pair it with buffalo chicken dip or bacon wrapped smokies for party-perfect bites.
• Girls’ night or happy hour: Mix this drink ahead for a relaxing night with friends. It’s fun, fizzy, and easy to serve. Enjoy it with baked potato skins or mozzarella sticks for a chill night in.

The Jolly Rancher alcohol drink has earned its spot as a reader favorite for good reason. It’s bright, fun, and super simple to make. Whether you’re hosting friends or just want something sweet, this fizzy drink always hits the spot.

Here are the reasons why this fruity drink is a favorite:

• Easy to Make: Just four ingredients and a few minutes of mixing, and you’re good to go.
• Candy-Infused Fun: Jolly Rancher vodka keeps things playful and bold.
• Party-Ready: The bright colors make it perfect for birthday parties, holidays, or casual hangouts.
• Customizable Flavors: You can switch candy flavors to match whatever mood you're in.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the vodka the night before, then serve the drink in just minutes.
• Always a Crowd Pleaser: Friends always ask for more, so you’ll want to keep extras on hand.

This sweet and fizzy drink brings fun to every glass—no wonder readers keep coming back for it!

Here are the top questions people ask when making alcoholic drinks with Jolly Ranchers at home. Follow along for quick, helpful answers.

How long does it take to make Jolly Rancher vodka?
You need to let the candy dissolve in the vodka for at least twenty-four hours before using it.

Do I need to stir the Jolly Ranchers into the vodka?
Yes, stir the Jolly Ranchers into the vodka a few times to help them break down more evenly.

What type of vodka works best in a Jolly Rancher drink?
Use plain vodka or your favorite flavored vodka. Both will work great for this candy cocktail recipe.

Can I use different Jolly Rancher flavors in the same drink?
Yes, you can mix flavors in your drink. Just be sure to dissolve each one fully.

How many candies do I need for each bottle of vodka?
Use about twelve to fifteen Jolly Ranchers per eight ounces of vodka for the best flavor and color.

Can I make a big batch of Jolly Rancher drinks for a party?
Yes, you can scale the drink recipe to make a large batch for parties or gatherings.

Do I need to chill the soda before mixing it in?
Yes, chill the lemon-lime soda, so your drink stays cold and fizzy without adding extra ice.

Should I strain the vodka after the candy dissolves?
Yes, strain out any tiny candy pieces from the vodka before using it in your drink.

What kind of glass should I use for this drink?
Serve your drink in a tall glass or cocktail glass for the best look and fizz.

Can I make the drink ahead once the vodka is ready?
No, mix the drink right before serving. The soda will go flat if you mix it too early.

What’s the best way to serve a jolly rancher drink at a party?
Pour the drink into clear glasses so the bright colors shine. Add a fun candy garnish for extra flair.

Should I serve jolly rancher drinks with ice?
Yes, add ice just before serving to keep the drink cold without watering it down too soon.

Can I pre-rim the glasses with sugar for this drink?
Yes, dip the rims in lemon juice and roll them in colored sugar for a fun, sweet finish.

What’s a fun way to garnish a jolly rancher drink?
Skewer extra Jolly Ranchers on a cocktail stick or drop one straight into the glass for color and fun.

Is this jolly rancher drink okay to serve at kids’ parties?
No, this drink contains vodka and is for adults only. Save it for grown-up gatherings and celebrations.

Can I serve jolly rancher drinks in a punch bowl?
Yes, use a large punch bowl for parties. Add ice and soda right before serving to keep the fizz.

Follow the directions, tips, and tricks below to get the best results when storing your jolly rancher cocktail. From prepping ahead to serving later, we’ve listed exactly what works. Use the guide to keep your drink fresh, fizzy, and full of candy flavor.

Can I make jolly rancher vodka ahead of time?
Yes, prep the vodka at least twenty-four hours early so the candy fully dissolves and flavors the alcohol.

How long does jolly rancher vodka last?
Store the infused vodka in a sealed bottle or jar. It keeps well in a cool spot for up to two weeks.

Can I mix the whole drink ahead of time?
No, wait to mix in the soda until right before serving so your drink stays fizzy and fresh.

Should I refrigerate the mixed drink if I don’t serve it right away?
No, the soda will lose its fizz if it sits too long. Always mix and serve the drink fresh.

Can I freeze jolly rancher vodka for later?
No, alcohol doesn’t freeze well at home. Stick with a sealed container in the fridge instead.

Jolly Rancher Cocktail

This Jolly Rancher cocktail mixes candy and vodka for a fun, fruity cocktail everyone will love. Make it fast with just four ingredients.

Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 day d

Total Time 1 day d 10 minutes mins

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2 cocktails

Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 to 6 Jolly Rancher candies (plus lots more for garnish)
• 4 ounces vodka (per Jolly Rancher color)
• Ice cubes
• 8 to 12 ounces lemon-lime soda

DIRECTIONS

 

• Place 4 to 6 same-color Jolly Rancher candies into a jar or container with a lid. Pour 4 ounces of vodka over the Jolly Ranchers and cover the container with an airtight lid. Allow candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture.
• When ready to make the cocktails, fill glasses with ice.
• Add two ounces of candy alcohol to each glass.
• Fill the glass the rest of the way with lemon-lime soda.
• Top with Jolly Rancher candies and serve.

Notes

• This recipe makes a smaller batch of drinks but can easily be doubled to serve more people.
• If you want to offer multiple flavors of this drink, make more than one jar of candied vodka using different candy flavors, repeating the step above for each individual flavor.
• You can combine different colors of candied vodka, but they will blend together pretty quickly.
• The candies will sink into the drink, so fill the glass with ice and place the candies for the garnish on top. Candies will dissolve as they sit in the drink – you can add more lemon-lime soda, vodka, or Jolly Rancher vodka to the glass.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 13g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.03mg

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