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🔥 Spicy Mexican Candy Shot – Sweet, Tangy, & Fiery Fun!

🔥 Spicy Mexican Candy Shot – Sweet, Tangy, & Fiery Fun!

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.

A vibrant red Mexican Candy Shot with a Tajín-rimmed glass and a lime garnish.

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. 

Close-up of a Spicy Mexican Candy Shot with a salted Tajín rim and a juicy lime wedge.

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

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.

Three vibrant Mexican Candy Shots with Tajín rims and fresh lime slices on a wooden board.

Spicy Mexican Candy Shot

Yield: 1 shot
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

The Spicy Mexican Candy Shot is the ultimate balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors! Inspired by classic Mexican candy, this fun party shot combines smooth tequila, juicy watermelon, and a zesty Tajín rim.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Mix the Shot: In the prepared glass, pour in the tequila and Watermelon Pucker. Stir lightly with a bar spoon to combine.
  3. 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.

Notes

If you like extra heat, try adding a small dash of chili powder or a few drops of hot sauce to the mix before stirring.

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