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Sweet Tart shots, or SweeTart shooters, are a playful and punchy treat that brings nostalgic candy flavors into the cocktail world. These colorful drinks are fun, fruity and pack a tangy kick that’s perfect for parties or a fun weekend indulgence. Made with black cherry rum, sour apple schnapps and sweet and sour mix, they’re shaken until ice cold and served with a colorful sugared rim. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just want to try something bold and bright, these shots are a must-try.
A vibrant and candy-inspired drink, Sweet Tart shots blend bold fruit flavors with a tangy twist, perfect for lively gatherings, parties or fun nights in.
You might also enjoy apple pie jello shots, strawberry lemonade jello shots and chile mango Mexican candy shots.
Why You’ll Love It
Fun and festive: Bright colors, candy garnishes and sugared rims make these perfect for parties or themed events.
Full of flavor: The combo of black cherry, sour apple and citrusy sweet and sour mix hits every taste note.
Quick to prep: Just shake and pour for a fast, flavorful shot.
Customizable garnish: Use different colored sanding sugar, candy toppings or fruit for a personal touch.
Great conversation starter: Unique, eye-catching and easy to sip, these are sure to get people talking.
Sweet Tart Shot Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Black cherry flavored rum: Adds rich, fruity depth and a bold cherry note.
Sour apple schnapps: Brings a tart green apple-licious zing to balance out the sweetness!
Sweet and sour mix: Delivers citrusy tang and ties the flavors together.
Sanding sugar: Adds color, crunch and a playful presentation to the rim.
SweeTarts candies: A fun, edible garnish that reinforces the candy theme.
Lemon wedge: To wet the glass rim so the sugar will stick.
How to Make SweeTart Shooters
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Rim the glasses: Rub a lemon wedge around the edges, then dip into sanding sugar.
Mix the ingredients: Shake the rum, schnapps and sweet and sour mix with ice until well chilled.
Pour and garnish: Fill the rimmed shot glasses and top each with a candy.
Substitutions and Variations
Use vodka instead of rum: Try a citrus, berry or whipped cream vodka for a new twist.
Switch up the schnapps: Peach, raspberry or watermelon schnapps offer different fruity profiles.
Go non-alcoholic: Use fruit-flavored syrups and soda water for a candy-style mocktail.
Serving Suggestions
With savory snacks: Pair these fun shooters with Cajun shrimp deviled eggs or chips with a beet hummus dip and baked artichoke dip.
With dessert: Enjoy rainbow cookies or love bug cupcakes with these fun shots.
How to Store Sweet Tart Shots
Store: Keep sweet tart shots refrigerated for 2 to 3 days. Don’t add ice, sugared rims or garnishes until just before serving.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing these shots, as the mixture would separate.
Top Tips
Chill your glasses: Pop shot glasses in the freezer before serving for an extra crisp drink.
Shake vigorously: A good shake with plenty of ice ensures the drink is cold and well blended.
Make a batch: Scale up the ingredients and use a pitcher or large shaker if you’re serving a crowd.
SweeTarts Candy Shooters FAQs
Yes you can as long as you don’t add the ice until you serve them. These sweet tart shots should be fine for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just make sure you give them a good shake before use since it’s normal for the ingredients to separate a bit. They really don’t take long to make so I’d probably just stick to making them just before serving or else make a pitcher if I have a crowd over so I can prepare a batch at a time.
SweeTarts have been around since the 1960s when they were invented under the supervision of the Sunline Inc CEO, Menlo F Smith. These sweet and sour candies are available in different varieties, including chewy ones and ropes. For this recipe, I’d recommend the original round ones (buy those here!) since they make such a nice garnish for these sweet tart shots if you balance them on wooden sticks. Another option would be the ropes, as you can hang these into the glass. I love these candies because the perfect balance between sweet and sour is always on point!
Tasty Sweet Tart Shots Recipe
Sweet Tart Shots
Equipment
- 4 Shot Glasses 2 1/2-Ounce
Ingredients
- 6 Ounces black cherry rum, such as Cruzan Black Cherry Rum
- 2 Ounces sour apple schnapps, such as DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker
- 2 Ounces sweet and sour mix
- ice, as needed
Optional Ingredients
- SweeTarts candies, for garnish
- lemon wedges, to rim the glass
- sanding sugar, colored, to rim the glass
Instructions
- Run a lemon wedge around the rim of 4 x 2.5-ounce shot glasses. Dip dampened rims into colored sanding sugar at a 45-degree angle.
- Continue rotating and dipping until the entirety of each rim is coated with the sugar.
- Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. Add black cherry rum, sour apple schnapps and sweet and sour mix. Shake until chilled throughout.
- Carefully pour into the rimmed glasses and garnish with SweeTarts candies if liked.
Notes
Shake vigorously: A good shake with plenty of ice ensures the drink is cold and well blended.
Make a batch: Scale up the ingredients and use a pitcher or large shaker if you’re serving a crowd.
Nutrition
These colorful, candy-inspired Sweet Tart shots are a guaranteed hit at any gathering. With bold fruit flavors, a punchy tang and that iconic sugary rim, they combine nostalgic charm with grown-up fun. Plus, the sweet tart drink recipe is incredibly quick to make, easy to customize and sure to wow your guests. Whether you’re planning a party or just mixing up something fun at home, this is one recipe you’ll come back to.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was absolutely delicious!
So unique! love it 🙂