A Mexican Candy Shot is a sweet and spicy alcoholic shooter made with watermelon, lime and chili flavors. It’s fun and tasty and sure to help liven up the party!
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A Mexican Candy Shot, also known as a paleta shot, is a tasty recipe you and your guests are sure to love.
It’s fruity and sweet with a little kick from the chili pepper infused tequila.
These shots are the perfect addition to help celebrate special occasions and holidays.
Why This Recipe Works
This is a quick and easy shot to make. It takes just a handful of ingredinets and a few minutes to mix up.
It’s the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors.
The recipe is easy to increase to serve a crowd and is a great choice for parties or celebrations like cinco de mayo.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- Tajin or chili salt for rimming
- 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
- 1 ounce chili-infused tequila: homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup (adjust based on sweetness preference)
- Ice cubes
- Watermelon slice or chili candy (optional garnish)
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
Prepare the chili infused tequila at least 24 hours in advance if you are making it yourself. Place a few sliced or whole chili peppers into a bottle of tequila and let sit for 24 hours.
Create!
Spread Tajin or chili salt onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of a shot glass with a lime wedge. Dip the moistened rim into the Tajin or chili salt, coating it evenly.
In a cocktail shaker, combine watermelon schnapps, chili-infused tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Add ice cubes to the shaker.
Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the shot mixture into the prepared shot glass.
Present!
Garnish the shot with a small watermelon slice, slice of lime, or a piece of chili candy on the rim for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal, if desired.
Tips and Techniques
- Chili-Infused Tequila: To infuse tequila with chili, place a few chili slices or whole chili peppers in a bottle of tequila and let it sit for at least 24 hours. Adjust the infusion time based on your desired level of spiciness.
- Tajin Variation: Experiment with Tajin for a citrusy and spicy twist on the rim.
- Chili Candy Choices: If you prefer, use a piece of your favorite chili-flavored candy as a garnish.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mixture before straining and adjust the simple syrup if needed, based on your preferred level of sweetness.
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Mexican Candy Shot
Ingredients
- Tajin or chili salt (for rimming)
- 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
- 1 ounce chili-infused tequila (homemade or store-bought, see notes)
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup (adjust based on sweetness preference)
- Ice cubes
- Watermelon slice or chili candy (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Spread Tajin or chili salt onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of a shot glass with a lime wedge. Dip the moistened rim into the Tajin or chili salt, coating it evenly.Tajin or chili salt
- In a cocktail shaker, combine watermelon schnapps, chili-infused tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup.1 ounce watermelon schnapps, 1 ounce chili-infused tequila, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Add ice cubes, place the lid on the shaker, and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to chill the mixture.Ice cubes
- Strain the shot mixture into the prepared shot glass.
- Garnish the shot with a small watermelon slice, slice of lime, or a piece of chili candy on the rim for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal, if desired.Watermelon slice or chili candy
Notes
- Chili-Infused Tequila: To infuse tequila with chili, place a few chili slices or whole chili peppers in a bottle of tequila and let it sit for at least 24 hours. Adjust the infusion time based on your desired level of spiciness.
- Tajin Variation: Experiment with Tajin for a citrusy and spicy twist on the rim.
- Chili Candy Choices: If you prefer, use a piece of your favorite chili-flavored candy as a garnish.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mixture before straining and adjust the simple syrup if needed, based on your preferred level of sweetness.
DK says
Wow! I love how spicy and sour this candy shot is! It was perfect for our backyard bbq this past weekend!
Cha says
I loved this candy shot recipe, easy and delicious.
Chenee says
OOH I’ve been looking for a new shot recipe to try and who can resist watermelon?
Paula says
These candy shots were so much fun! Will be doing them again for Halloween.
Elisa says
Love this candy shot!! so fun and delicious, I will make it this again this weekend for my pool party. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hayley Dhanecha says
Perfect for Cinci de Mayo parties! Everyone enjoyed it at mine yesterday. Beautiful and refreshing flavours.
Veronika says
Loved the watermelon flavor! I’m not a big shots person but this one wasn’t too strong and it was so good I went for a second one!
Jamie says
This was a big hit for cinco de mayo! The sweet and spicy flavors of this candy shot were great. Everyone loved it!
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, we’re having these shots right now, and they are healthy and delicious. Thanks for this great recipe idea.
Jacqueline Debono says
This is the perfect shot recipe for our regular Mexican night dinners. So delicious!
DK says
Super tasty shot! They were a hit at our last dinner party!
veenaazmanov says
My next party option is definitely this delicious Candy shot. I love the color and the combination of Water Melon, Lime and Tequilla Chilli shot. Yummy
Jackie says
I’m making these for a Cinco De Mayo party this weekend, so of course, I had to try them out first… OMG, so tasty! I love Mexican candy and am even planning on serving it with tamarind sticks!!
jordan says
The name says it all! This is candy in the form of a shot and it’s dangerously tasty. Definitely pulling this out for Cinco de Mayo.
Tracy says
These were SO good! We didn’t have any chili infused tequila and still love it, I can’t wait to try again with an infused tequila! So easy and fun.
Amy Liu dong says
This would make a great occasional drink! It is flavorful and refreshing, many people would be happy to have this one, it will put a smile on their on their faces!