Pink Starburst Shot

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When it comes to cocktails, the presentation can be just as important as the taste of the drink.

This is why a lot of effort is put into designing a unique signature cocktail that will be easily recognizable in any bar in the world.

However, you must make sure you hit all the right notes when it comes to how your shots taste.

The pink starburst shot is a great example of the perfect cocktail that manages to tick all the boxes regarding what you would expect in a shot.

This pink starburst shot recipe is not only easy to follow but also has a lot of room for you to get creative with some of the ingredients so that you can come up with your version of this vanilla vodka, watermelon pucker schnapps, and sour mix cocktail.

Grab your cocktail shaker and shot glasses and get ready to create the best pink starburst shots you will ever taste! It will only take you five minutes!

What Is a Pink Starburst Shot?

If you have ever tasted pink starburst candy, you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this cocktail.

Everyone’s favorite starburst flavor will come alive thanks to the unique taste and vibrant pink color of this drink.

These shots taste just like the original pink starburst candy and have a fruity, creamy, sweet, and sour mixture that is perfect for vanilla vodka and watermelon pucker schnapps. Another shooter that girls tend to love is our white tea shot recipe!

Perfect Cocktail for a Girls Night Out!

One look at a pink starburst shot and you will know it’s the perfect cocktail to help you enjoy girls night or a bachelorette party.

If you want to make something special for your girls, give them a dose of this unique pink starburst flavor and thank me later.

Once your friends get a taste of these cocktails, you will be in danger of spending the rest of the evening making pink starburst shots!

What’s in Pink Starburst Shots?

The pink starburst shot contains just three ingredients.

However, it just wouldn’t feel like the real thing with the pink sugared rim of the glass, which is why we have added two essential additions and an optional third for when you want to spice things up.

A proper pink starburst shot will have the following:

Vanilla Vodka

My vodka of choice whenever I make a pink starburst shot is Smirnoff vanilla vodka. However, there are so many other vodkas out there and you should feel free to choose whichever you want.

Although vodka is one of the key ingredients in pink starburst shots, you can even leave it out completely, which we will discuss later when talking about non-alcoholic options.

Watermelon Schnapps

It’s the watermelon puckers that will make your pink starburst shots taste fruity and delicious, with the vibrant pink color just like the candy for which they are named.

Watermelon pucker is a watermelon schnapps brand made by DE Kuyper, which means you are free to try other brands for your pink starburst shots.

Sweet and Sour Mix

Sweet and sour mix is easily available in many stores across the country and there are many brands to choose from.

However, if you want to give your pink starburst shot recipe a unique twist, you could try making your own at home.

The advantage of making sweet and sour mix at home is that not only is it the more affordable option, but it also allows you to gauge how much lemon and lime juice you will add, which is an important component in making your signature pink starburst cocktail.

Light Corn Syrup

Now let us look at the optional components. Of course, you can still enjoy your pink starburst shots without any garnish, but I feel like it just wouldn’t be the same.

Therefore, one of the very first things I do when preparing my shots is to get to work on the pink sugared rim of the glass.

You will require light corn syrup for this. However, use only a little amount because you do not want the sweetness of the corn syrup to interfere with the necessary bitterness of the sweet and sour mix.

Pink Starburst Candy (Pink Sugar)

You can get creative with how you use your pink sugar. Some like to use larger granules of pink sugar sanding.

I prefer using very fine particles for my pink starburst shots because they are quick to dissolve in your mouth when you take the very first sip of your cocktail.

Optional Heavy Cream

If you want to take an entirely different route in terms of garnish, how about adding a dollop of whipped cream to your pink starburst shot?

This, I think is a game changer because it has a lot more impact on the overall taste, look, and effect of your pink starburst shot.

With this creamy garnish, your pink starburst shot will taste just like the creamy center of pink starburst candy, which can be either a good or bad thing depending on your taste.

Essential Equipment

Making pink starburst shots is very easy as you can probably tell from the small list of essential equipment and the fact that it only takes about 5 minutes to prepare (not including the time you will need if you choose to make your own sweet and sour mix).

These are the three important things you will need:

Shot Glass

When making shots, the first thing you need is a shot glass. Get some lovely 2 oz. shot glass designs for this easy recipe because part of the appeal lies in the presentation.

I would also suggest that you have more than one shot glass for each of your guests because they will be coming back for round two soon after downing the first shot!

Cocktail Shaker

Make sure you invest in a cocktail shaker if you plan on making drinks such as pink starburst shots often.

Occasionally you can get away with mixing your drink using a spoon, but it just doesn’t have the same effect.

Using a blender is another louder and messier option that will produce an extra smooth pink starburst shot.

A cocktail shaker will also make you look cool and professional while whipping up a round of shots.

It’s also very important that your cocktail shaker comes with a detachable strainer to help you pour out a smoother-tasting cocktail and prevent spilling any drink on the rims of your shot glasses.

Jiggers

One of the most important skills in making cocktails is to know how to make it, in the same way, each time.

To do this, you must add the right amount of each ingredient to your cocktail shaker, and for this, you will need a jigger, but it is not essential though.

Two Great Garnish Ideas

Let us look at the two garnish ideas you can play around with:

Light Corn Syrup and Pink Sugar

My favorite way to present pink starburst shots is in a shot glass with a pink sugar rim. Of course, styles will differ, but I think if you intend to get the true pink starburst flavor, this is non-negotiable.

I have even added actual pink starbursts to the corn syrup on the rim of the glass a few times and the ladies loved it!

Whipped Cream

Is corn syrup not your thing? A dollop of cool whip or whipped cream will give your shots the unique creamy texture you get from pink starbursts.

The sweet flavor of starburst candy is already great on its own, but with some whipped cream added to the mixture, you can step up the bachelorette party a few notches!

You Don’t Have a Cocktail Shaker? Don’t Worry!

As I said before, I think a cocktail shaker is an absolute necessity but if you don’t regularly make this recipe or any other cocktails, you might try another option.

You will need a pitcher or a large cup/glass for this to work. After adding equal parts of vanilla vodka, watermelon schnapps, and your sweet and sour mixture, give it a good stir using a spoon.

When you have attained a good level of consistency, pour the drink into a sugar-rimmed cocktail glass and serve.

The Pink Starburst Cocktail Slushy Is Awesome!

Are you ready to get a bit creative with your sweet shots of pink starbursts? A slushy will be a great twist to this pink starburst shot recipe, especially when having a party on a hot summer evening.

You will need lots of ice cubes and a blender for this. Add ice and all the ingredients to your blender and mix on the highest setting for about one minute.

When the mixture becomes slushy, pour it into a chilled mason jar or shot glass and serve!

Alcohol/Liquor Alternatives

Non-vodka versions of pink starburst shots can be just as good as this pink starburst shot recipe if you make them the right way.

I love vanilla vodka so if I do not have any on hand, I can make do with other types of vodka with about half a teaspoon of vanilla extract added to the liquor.

Use rum with more of an island-like flavor than a fruity one. You can even walk on the wild side and try using gin! You have a lot of options when it comes to alcohol choices.

Tips for Making a Large Batch

If you are hosting large parties and you need to make a large batch of pink starburst shots, one thing you must remember is to hold off on adding the ice cubes until the very last minute.

Make as much as you want because whatever gets left behind can be easily stored for up to a week in the refrigerator.

FAQs

What if I Want Pink Starburst Jell-O Shots?

You can enjoy your pink starburst shots in this way if you want. The Jell-O shots are available in many supermarkets so all you will need to do is follow the instructions and add your choice of liquor.

How Can I Make Non-alcoholic Pink Starburst Shots?

Just swap the vanilla vodka for non-alcoholic vodka. Instead of watermelon puckers, try watermelon or strawberry syrup.

You will be able to make a great-tasting strawberry starburst candy-flavored pink starburst drink recipe.