The Spicy Mexican Candy Shot is the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and downright irresistible! Inspired by classic Mexican candy flavors, this bold shot combines smooth tequila, tangy watermelon, and a fiery Tajín kick. Whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo party, a game day gathering, or just shaking things up, this easy-to-make shot is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients for the Spicy Mexican Candy Shot:
- Tequila
- Watermelon Pucker
- Fresh lime
- Tajín
Tools You’ll Need:
- Shot glass
- Small plate (for Tajín rim)
- Bar spoon (for stirring)
- Knife & cutting board (to slice lime wedges)
About the tequila – Picking out Tequila can be confusing because there are so many kinds. For a shot like this, I recommend a Blanco tequila. Blanco is bold, fresh, and great for shots. You could go with a Reposado, which is a bit smoother, but you will lose a bit of that boldness.
What you want to avoid for a shot like this is sipping tequila. They are nice and have a place in your home bar, but I wouldn’t serve them for shots. First, they are way too expensive for that, but they won’t hit the right notes for a candy shot like this one.
Cocktail Glass Rimmers
Sometimes, it is amazing what we can buy now. For example, you can buy a flavor pack of flavored salt rimmers. There are just so many flavors and choices.
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Also, you can buy a Tajin-flavored glass rimmer kit.
But this, tiered glass rimmer set is going to be my next purchase.
Even though I make all these cocktails here at home for our blog, I have always rimmed our glasses just using a small plate. It dawned on me that I should just invest in one of these rimmer sets.
Spice Things Up with Hot Sauce For The Rim
🔥🔥🔥Max Out the Heat – Instead of using lime juice to wet the rim of the shot glass, use a thin layer of hot sauce and then roll it in Tajin. How hot of a hot sauce, I leave it to you, brave souls.
🔥🔥 A Milder Kick – Mix a milder hot sauce with lime juice before rimming the glass. This will dilute the heat and keep that tangy lime flavor.
Make it a cocktail
If you love the flavor of this shot but want to savor it a bit longer, turn it into a cocktail. To do this, mix the shot per the instructions and then pour it into a rocks glass and add some ice. Then top it with club soda.
Options and Variations
🍉 Flavor Swap – If you don’t love watermelon, try it with a different fruity flavor. You could try strawberry schnapps, lychee, pomegranate, or mango liqueur instead of Watermelon Pucker for a fruity twist.
🍬 Sweeter Rim Option – If you want to balance out the spice, mix sugar with Tajín for a sweet-and-spicy rim.
🌿 Herbal Twist – Add a few muddled fresh mint leaves for a light, refreshing contrast to the sweet and spicy elements.
🍾 Make it Bubbly – For a sparkling version, add a splash of sparkling water, ginger beer, or even Prosecco to lighten up the drink.
🥭 Frozen Shot Variation – Blend the ingredients with ice to create a slushy-style shot that’s extra refreshing on hot days.
Spicy Mexican Candy Shot
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Ingredients
- 1 oz tequila
- 0.5 oz half-shot or 1 oz Watermelon Pucker (adjust to taste)
- 1 fresh lime cut into 4 wedges
For the Rim:
- 1 tsp lime juice water, or additional Watermelon Pucker
- 2 tbsp Tajín
Garnish:
- 1 lime wedge
Instructions
- Prepare the Rim: Pour the Tajín onto a small plate. Rub the rim of your shot glass with a lime wedge, then dip the rim into the Tajín to coat.
- Mix the Shot: In the prepared glass, pour in the tequila and Watermelon Pucker. Stir lightly with a bar spoon to combine.
- Garnish & Serve: Place a lime wedge on the rim. For an extra spicy kick, add a pinch of Tajín to the bottom of the glass before pouring in the liquids.
