Are you ready for a shot that’s as fun as it looks?!! This cocktail is as vibrant as it is delicious! We had great fun creating this Layered Jolly Rancher Shot for you. It has bold watermelon and raspberry flavors with a fun treat on top. It is also quite eye-catching. It is sweet and tangy and legit simple to create. So whether you are hosting a game day party or celebrating a patriotic holiday we got you with this one!

Vibrant, layered Jolly Rancher shots in clear shot glasses, showing bold, colorful layers of fruity flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Shot

Candy-inspired cocktails are oddly fun to look at and fun to drink. This shot adds layers to the mix, and it is brightly colored. The blue and reddish-pink layers are fun, but then we top the shot with sour Jolly Rancher gummies. It is bright. It is bold. It is bursting with fruity flavor!

A showstopper

Don’t worry if you have yet to layer a cocktail; this recipe is super simple to make. You don’t need fancy tools or fancy bartender skills. You got this! All you need is a spoon and some patience, and you will have a beautiful two-toned shot that will impress your friends.

The flavor

What I love about this shot is that it is fun, cool-looking, and actually delicious. The watermelon Pucker brings a sweet candy-like sweet, and the Blue Curacao adds that citrusy flavor with a hint of tart. Then, you add the sour candy as a garnish and have something yummy.

Perfect for Any Fun Occasion 🎉

🍭 Candy-Themed Parties – A playful treat for those who love nostalgic flavors.
🏈 Game Day Gatherings – Sweeten the snack table with a fun, easy-to-make shot.
🇺🇸 Patriotic Holidays – The red and blue layers make it a festive July 4th drink!
🎂 Birthdays & Bachelorette Parties – A colorful, Instagram-worthy party shot.This simple yet impressive drink is all about fun, flavor, and festive vibes—so grab your ingredients, and let’s mix up some magic!

Close-up of bright, colorful layered Jolly Rancher shots with a fun, candy-inspired look.

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Okay! Let’s Talk About Layering Cocktails 🎨

Why does this work?

I always found layering so mysterious, and it sometimes still is, but it turns out there is a bit of science to it. It is all about the density of the liquids. There is also a bit of technique to it, but don’t worry, it isn’t all that difficult.

All right, the secret is all about the density and different liqueurs, syrups, and juices, which have varying sugar and alcohol content. These variances affect how heavy or light they are.

Heavier liquids (ones with higher sugar content) naturally sink to the bottom.
Lighter liquids (ones with higher alcohol content and less sugar) tend to float to the top.

But that isn’t the end of the story. You must also pour the liquids slowly and steadily so that the layers actually stack and give us that visual.

For example, the Blue Curacao is heavier than the Watermelon Pucker for our Jolly Rancher shot.

How to Layer This Shot Perfectly

Start with Blue Curaçao

Pour the Blue Curaçao into the shot glass first. Since it’s heavier, it will naturally settle at the bottom.

Slowly Add Watermelon Pucker

Flip a bar spoon upside down and hold the tip against the inside rim of the glass.
Slowly drizzle the Watermelon Pucker over the back of the spoon so it gently rests on top.

💡 No Bar Spoon? Use a teaspoon or a slow, controlled pour down the inside of the glass instead.