Watermelon Jolly Rancher Cocktail Recipe

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Watermelon Jolly Rancher Nutrition Facts

Calories:~220

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:~28g

Alcohol:~14%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

History

The Watermelon Jolly Rancher cocktail is a vibrant and playful drink that takes its inspiration from the popular hard candy known for its intense fruit flavor. It became a hit at parties for its sweet, candy-like taste that offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

  • Popularity Among Groups: This cocktail is particularly popular among younger adults who enjoy sweet, fruity drinks.
  • Occasions: It's a common choice for summer gatherings, pool parties, and any occasion where a fun, light-hearted beverage is desired.

How Watermelon Jolly Rancher Tastes?

The Watermelon Jolly Rancher cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet and sour with a fruity watermelon punch. It's a light and refreshing drink with a playful kick from the vodka.

Interesting facts about Watermelon Jolly Rancher

  • The cocktail's vibrant green color is reminiscent of the watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher candy.
  • It's often served in a highball glass to showcase its colorful appearance.
  • Despite its candy-like taste, the cocktail can be quite potent due to the vodka content.

Ingredients

A few good options for Watermelon Jolly Rancher are:

  • Grey Goose
  • Belvedere
  • Khor
  • Smirnoff

Learn everything on which Vodka to choose

Vodka

The vodka serves as the backbone of the cocktail, providing a neutral spirit base that allows the other flavors to shine. Generally, a 1.5 oz serving is standard for a well-balanced drink, ensuring that it's strong but not overpowering. Omitting it would make a non-alcoholic version, certainly less 'spirited'!

Alex Green

Watermelon Pucker

This liqueur brings the signature watermelon Jolly Rancher flavor, adding both sweetness and a tart edge. Too much could overpower the drink's balance, too little and you lose the watermelon kick. If you swap it for a different fruit liqueur, you'll have a cocktail of a whole new stripe!

Emma Rose

Sweet and Sour Mix

Sweet and sour mix adds a tangy zest, complementing the fruit flavors and providing a counterpoint to the sugars. Miss it out and you might find the cocktail too sweet. Adding more could tilt it into mouth-puckering territory. Balance is key!

Mary Mitkina

Lemon Lime Soda

The fizz from the soda gives life to the cocktail, creating a pleasant effervescence and cutting through the sweetness. Without it, the cocktail becomes less refreshing. If substituted with a flat soda, the drink would lose its perky edge.

Alex Green

Ice

Ice is the unsung hero, chilling the cocktail to perfection and slightly diluting the mix to the just-right strength. No ice means a warm and potentially too-strong concoction—less of a refreshing Jolly Rancher and more of a sticky situation!

Emma Rose

Recipe. How to make Watermelon Jolly Rancher Drink

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
  2. Pour 1.5 oz of vodka over the ice.
  3. Add 1.5 oz of Watermelon Pucker.
  4. Pour in 1 oz of sweet and sour mix.
  5. Top with lemon lime soda.
  6. Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
  7. Garnish with a slice of watermelon or a lime wheel, if desired.

Pro Tips

  • To enhance the watermelon flavor, muddle a few pieces of fresh watermelon in the glass before adding the ice.
  • Chill your vodka and Watermelon Pucker before making the cocktail to keep it colder and more refreshing.
  • For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sweet and sour mix and top with more soda.

Perfect Pairings

Snacks & Appetizers

  • Grilled Shrimp: The sweetness of the cocktail balances the smokiness of the shrimp.
  • Spicy Wings: The cool, fruity cocktail can help soothe the heat from spicy wings.
  • Cheese Plate: A selection of cheeses, especially milder ones, would contrast nicely with the sweet and sour profile of the drink.

Meals

  • Barbecue: The fruity sweetness of the watermelon pairs well with barbecue sauces.
  • Summer Salads: A fresh garden or fruit salad complements the refreshing qualities of the cocktail.

Desserts

  • Sorbet: A lemon or lime sorbet would echo the citrus notes in the drink.
  • Fruit Tarts: A dessert with a bit of tartness can stand up to the sweet flavors in the cocktail.

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What you could change in Watermelon Jolly Rancher

  • Vodka: You can use any brand of plain vodka, but for a stronger watermelon flavor, consider using a watermelon-flavored vodka.
  • Watermelon Pucker: If you can't find Watermelon Pucker, try using another watermelon liqueur or schnapps.
  • Sweet and Sour Mix: Homemade sweet and sour mix can be made by combining equal parts lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.

Explore all drinks starting with W here

And of course - twists🍹

Spicy Watermelon

  • Add a few slices of jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the original recipe.
  • The subtle heat will contrast with the sweetness, giving you a spicy kick that elevates the watermelon flavor.

Watermelon Mojito Rancher

  • Substitute rum for vodka, add mint leaves, and muddle them with the Watermelon Pucker.
  • This will infuse the drink with a minty freshness, giving it a mojito twist that's mint to be!

Berry Melon Rancher

  • Swap out Watermelon Pucker for Raspberry Liqueur.
  • Adding a berry element will make for a more complex, layered fruit profile. You'll get a berry delicious version of the original!

In case you forgot basics how to make Watermelon Jolly Rancher

Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.

Learn everything on how to stir

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Watermelon Jolly Rancher

What type of glass is best for serving a Watermelon Jolly Rancher cocktail?

A highball glass is typically used for serving a Watermelon Jolly Rancher to accommodate the volume of the drink and its ice, as well as to display its vibrant color.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail?

Yes, you can create a mocktail version by omitting the vodka and substituting the Watermelon Pucker with a non-alcoholic watermelon syrup, then following the rest of the recipe as is.

Is there a specific time of year when the Watermelon Jolly Rancher is most popular?

While it can be enjoyed year-round, it's especially popular during the summer months when refreshing and fruity drinks are in high demand.

How can I reduce the sweetness of the cocktail?

To reduce the sweetness, you can lower the amount of sweet and sour mix and Watermelon Pucker and increase the lemon-lime soda, or add a splash of club soda.

What food pairings work well with a Watermelon Jolly Rancher cocktail?

Light appetizers, fruit platters, or summer salads with a citrus dressing complement the fruity and sweet nature of the Watermelon Jolly Rancher cocktail.

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