Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

A Jolly Rancher Cocktail in a glass, with a vibrant color and a Jolly Rancher candy garnish.
Scotty Boxa

Jolly Rancher Cocktail

5 from 1 vote
A Sweet & Fruity Crowd-Pleaser
If you love the bold, fruity punch of a Jolly Rancher candy, this cocktail is about to become your new go-to drink. The Jolly Rancher Cocktail is sweet, vibrant, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect addition to any party or relaxed night in. It’s easy to mix, dangerously drinkable, and just as fun as its namesake candy.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Melon Liqueur
  • 6-8 oz Cranberry Juice
  • Ice

Instructions
 

Mix Ingredients:
  1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 oz of vodka, 1 oz of melon liqueur, and 6-8 oz of cranberry juice.
Shake:
  1. Shake the mixture well to combine the flavors and chill the drink.
Serve:
  1. Strain the mixture over fresh ice in a glass.
Enjoy:
  1. Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet, fruity flavors.

Notes

The Story Behind the Cocktail The Jolly Rancher cocktail is a modern classic that was born in the era of candy-themed drinks. It's not a historical drink from a specific bar but a fun and creative concoction that became popular because of its uncanny resemblance in taste to the candy it’s named after. The mix of fruity schnapps and vodka creates a sweet and sour flavor that is reminiscent of the hard candies.
Tips for a Perfect Cocktail
  • Customize Your Flavor: The beauty of this cocktail is its versatility. You can use different fruit schnapps flavors to create a wide range of "Jolly Rancher" colors and tastes, from watermelon and grape to cherry and blue raspberry.
  • Make It Bubbly: For a fizzy and lighter version, you can swap the cranberry juice for a clear soda like lemon-lime soda or sparkling water.
  • Jolly Rancher Infusion: For a super-intense Jolly Rancher flavor, you can infuse vodka with the candies themselves. Just add 10-15 candies to a bottle of vodka, let them dissolve for 24 hours, and use that as the base for your cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Is this a strong drink? The Jolly Rancher is a moderately strong cocktail. The sweet, fruity flavors can mask the alcohol, but it is a potent drink and should be consumed responsibly.
  • What does a Jolly Rancher cocktail taste like? It's a sweet, fruity, and tangy cocktail. The primary flavors are green apple and peach, with a tart kick from the cranberry juice, all blended with a crisp vodka base.
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Beverage, Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks
Calories: 285
Cheers Mate! Cocktail Recipes book cover by Scotty Boxa, featuring a shaker and glass
Grab it here

Cheers Mate!
Your ultimate cocktail playbook. Over 100 drinks that’ll make you the life of the party (or at least your own kitchen).

weets & Treats Dessert Recipes book cover by Scotty Boxa, featuring cupcakes and ice cream
Snag it now

Sweets & Treats
Boozy desserts + classic indulgence = pure chaos in the best way. No-bake cheats, rich bakes, and grown-up sweets you won’t want to share.

You Might also like these Recipes

cocktail in golden hour outdoor setting
5 Mother’s Day Cocktails to Bring to Brunch

Five cocktails for Mother's Day brunch. Pretty, easy to pre-batch, low-boozy. Click any card for the full recipe.

Old Fashioned Cocktail

The original cocktail. Whiskey, sugar, bitters, and an orange peel. Four ingredients, no shaker, the drink that started everything.

Hand Grenade Cocktail

Craving a taste of Bourbon Street? This guide delivers the best copycat recipe for the iconic Hand Grenade cocktail, New Orleans' most powerful drink. It's potent, fruity, and perfect for your next party.

The Midori Illusion Cocktail

Get the recipe for the Midori Illusion, a vibrant green cocktail that tastes like a tropical vacation. This guide provides the official recipe and tips for making this sweet, tangy, and fun party drink.

Fluffy Duck Cocktail

Get the recipe for the iconic Fluffy Duck Cocktail, a creamy, sweet, and frothy drink that's a true retro classic. This guide covers everything you need to know to master this delicious Advocaat-based cocktail.

ABC shot

Master the ABC Shot, a bold and fiery shooter that's as impressive to look at as it is to drink. This guide provides the official recipe and tips for creating the perfect layered shot with Absinthe, Rum, and Chartreuse.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Get the recipe for the Strawberry Daiquiri, a frozen classic of white rum, fresh lime, and ripe strawberries. This guide shows you how to blend the ultimate summer crowd-pleaser.

Bullfrog Cocktail

Dive into the Bullfrog Cocktail! This guide provides the official recipe for the ultimate high-energy party drink, a potent blend of multiple liquors that’s both delicious and vibrant.

Dirty Martini

Vodka or gin, dry vermouth, olive brine, three olives. The savoury cousin of the classic martini, salty and dry and weirdly addictive.

More Bad Decisions From Behind the Bar

I’m Scotty Boxa. Australian author, professional bad decision maker, and the bloke responsible for the rest of this website.

If this recipe made you laugh, you’ll like the rest of what I do. I write books that are mostly true stories about cocktails, travel, and the disasters that come with both. If you want a starter pack, grab the free PDF below. No email required, just take it.