You know when you take two equally awesome things and you put them together and the result is something even awesomer? Kind of like the power couple that is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Well, in this case, Angelina is Jolly Ranchers and Brad is Vodka. Have I peaked your curiosity? 

I've heard a lot about infusing vodka with candy, but I was always apprehensive about trying it out. But, it's actually really easy and pretty foolproof so today I am going to throw caution to the wind! I decided to experiment with Jolly Rancher infused vodka and I'll show you how you can as well. I will also give you a few cocktail recipes that you can make with your own Jolly Rancher vodka concoction. 

Here's how to create your own infused vodka:
 

Get some Jolly Rancher hard candies. Then get some jars or bottles. I like to use glass bottles for this, preferably with a lid that seals well and won't leak. You'll need as many jars as you want flavours of vodka (I'm using three jars, each one holds about 1 1/2 cups). You'll also need to grab a bottle of vodka. I am going to be using a 375 ml bottle of vodka. An expensive vodka isn't necessary either.


Place the candies in your bottles. Each jar should hold only one flavour of candy. I am going to be using 6 candies per jar (As I know know, this is actually way too much. See my taste test below for the details). 


Next, pour the vodka into the jars. If you have enough, you can fill it all the way up to the top. 


These are my vodka filled, candy jars! After filling and closing jars, you'll need to let them sit for about 12 hours, or overnight. The candy will start to dissolve in about 30 minutes at the very latest. You don't need to shake or stir these. After 12 hours, candies will be totally dissolved. Chill your vodka for a few hours and it is ready to be served! I'll update this article when my vodka is ready and be sure to show you how it looks and tell you how it tastes (it's all in the name of science, right ladies?). 

UPDATE! First here is a photo of a halfway point with the Jolly Rancher vodka. I stirred them a bit so you could see the full effect. 


About two hours in, the candy is dissolving and it's a bit cloudy. 

Final Shot 

 
This is the vodka after it spent the night in the office. 

The Taste Test: Here is an impression of me after I tried the vodka. 

That's not to say that Jolly Rancher vodka is totally awful but I put in way too many candies. It was too sweet and chemically tasting. I think this would work better with (maximum) three candies. I think the candy needs to flavour, not over power the vodka taste. I will still use the vodka, I think it's going to be a really nice addition to a cocktail. I think I will try mixing it with something bubbly, maybe some Sprite or 7-Up. From what I've read around the web, everyone raves about this vodka infusion so I'm going to give this one another chance. Also, as a side note on the vodka, you don't need to go expensive, but don't go uber cheap either. Go with the vodka you normally would (I'm usually a Smirnoff drinker). 

Now, for the cocktails! 


The Love Bite: 1 ounce cherry Jolly Rancher vodka + 1 ounce orange liqueur + 1 ounce cream. Layer the orange liqueur first, then cream, then vodka.

Tokyo Ice Tea: 1 ounce green apple Jolly Rancher vodka + 1 ounce gin + 1 ounce rum + 1 ounce tequila + 2 ounces kiwi liqueur + 1 teaspoon superfine sugar + 7-Up. Pour all ingredients, leave out 7-Up, into a chilled glass filled halfway with ice. Finish off by filling glass with 7-up, stir gently and garnish with lemon. 
 
Laffy Taffy: 1 ounce watermelon Jolly Rancher vodka + 1 ounce green apple Jolly Rancher vodka + 1 1/2 ounce raspberry Jolly Rancher Vodka + a dash of 7-Up + 3 ounces sweet and sour mix. Add each of the vodkas to the sweet and sour mix. Top it with the 7-up. Garnish with a cherry and serve.

Have you ever tried any infused vodkas before or is this something you would try? Be sure to leave me a comment letting me know if you have any cocktail ideas too! 

(via mixthatdrink.com)