Jolly Rancher Moonshine
This Jolly Rancher Moonshine tastes just like the hard candy, in liquid form – a colorful candy infused vodka that is sweet, tart, and strong!
Jolly Rancher Moonshine
Growing up one of my favorite candies were Jolly Ranchers…ok they still are! One of my teachers had a special box where we could pick out a treat when we got good grades. For me, I always chose Cherry Jolly Ranchers or Airheads. Gotta love that sweet and sour candy!
This Jolly Rancher Moonshine tastes just like the hard candy, in drinkable form! This colorful candy infused vodka is sweet, tart, and strong…and tastes fabulous all on its own or when used to make a sweet cocktail.
While we’re not technically distilling our own moonshine here, this Jolly Rancher Vodka is an infusion of fruity candy flavor in your favorite clear spirit (we like vodka). And unlike real moonshining, you don’t need a lot of technical knowledge (or any) for this! When the candy dissolves, the vodka turns a vibrant hue that matches the color flavor. It’s fun to make different batches/colors: green apple, blue raspberry, grape, watermelon…so many options!
Jolly Rancher Moonshine isย like a dream come true. So rich in sweet, yet tart flavors, and bursting with gorgeous color. What could be better than a smooth, delicious cocktail that tastes like candy? Not only is this an inexpensive recipe, it’s also the perfect homemade gift for your grown-up friends (who still want to feel like a kid sometimes and have their candy!)
Related: See all of our favorite homemade moonshine recipes here!
Ingredients
The following ingredients are to make one batch or flavor. You can use this same recipe to make different flavors, using different colors of candy.
- 10 Jolly Ranchers of the Same Color, unwrapped
- 14-16 Ounces Vodka or Everclear
Items Needed:
- 16oz Mason Jar (Pint size)
Recipe intended for readers 21+; please enjoy responsibly!
Instructions
- Take the candies out of their wrappers.
- Place the candies into the bottom of the mason jar. Use different jars for different flavors.
- Pour the vodka into the jar, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Allow to steep in a cool, dark location (the pantry would be fine) for one week. Pour the mixture through a strainer and into a clean mason jar for storage. You can discard any remaining candy or start another batch.
Prep Tips
- Shortcut: If you have a little extra time, you can speed up the process by shaking your jar every half hour for a few hours. This will help the candy dissolve faster so you can enjoy your jolly rancher moonshine the first day, probably after 8-10 hours for optimum flavor.
- Mixing:ย If doing the “set it and forget it” method, halfway through the steeping process, give the jar a good shake to mix things up. So if you’re planning to soak the candy for a week, on day 3 or 4, shake it up.
- Flavor Intensity: For a more intense fruity flavor, add a few more jolly rancher candies to your jar. I use 10 candies as my starting point. If at the halfway point it looks like the color is very light I might add some more candy for the rest of the week. On the flip side, if you want just a hint of fruit flavor, you could use half the suggested amount of candy.
- Clean-Up: If any of the candy gets stuck to the bottom of the mason jar after you empty it, simply add a squirt of dishwashing liquid, such as Dawn, and hot water and allow to soak. They should clean right up after a little soaking.
- Cocktails: This Jolly Rancher Moonshine tastes fantastic when mixed with lemon lime soda, such as a little bit of Sprite or 7-up. It would also be yummy when mixed with cream soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is This Real Moonshine?
Technically, this recipe does not make true โmoonshineโ because that would require doing your own distillation…that could get you into trouble and we don’t want that! These days when you see something labeled moonshine, itโs usually an infused liquor.
I generally use vodka for my infused liquor recipes, but if you like it stronger and more like real moonshine, you may use Everclear or a similar high proof alcohol and a legal moonshine experience!
Does Candy Infused Vodka Need To Be Refrigerated?
No, this infused vodka recipe does not require refrigeration, but it does help extend the “shelf life.” When refrigerated, your candy infused vodka should stay good for up to a month.
If you want to keep at room temperature, store in an airtight container (a mason jar with a lid should be fine) in a cool, dark place, for up to a week.
If you open the jar and anything smells funky, toss it and make a new batch.
Jolly Rancher Moonshine Recipe (Printable Recipe Card):
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Jolly Rancher Moonshine Recipe
Equipment
- Pint Size Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 10 Jolly Ranchers of the same color
- 16 Ounces Vodka
Instructions
- Unwrap the jolly rancher candies and place them in the bottom of mason jar.
- Pour vodka into the jar on top of the candy, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Put the lid on and steep in a cool, dark place for a week, shaking well on day 3 or 4.
- After a week, strain into a clean jar and keep in pantry for up to a week or in the fridge for up to a month.
Notes
Nutrition
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