Spiked Cotton Candy Recipe
Indulge your inner child and satisfy your adult cravings with our Spiked Cotton Candy, a delightful combination of sugar and spirits.
Are you tired of the same old boring cotton candy flavors? Well, get ready to have your taste buds blown away with a sugary twist like no other.
Introducing our Spiked Cotton Candy, the latest trend that combines the nostalgic joy of fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth confectionery with a delightful splash of alcohol.
Whether you’re looking for a whimsical treat at (adult) parties or simply want to indulge in some grown-up fun, alcohol-infused cotton candy offers an exciting and unique experience that is sure to leave you craving more.
And if sugar is really your thing, then you’re in luck because you can make this cotton candy with SUGAR FREE candy too!
So join us as we dive into the world of this enchanting spin on traditional carnival fare and discover why it has become an irresistible sensation among sweet-toothed adults everywhere.
P.S. Shout out to our friend, Rob for this genius alcoholic dessert concoction!
Ingredients Needed
- Floss sugar in the flavor of your choice — We used raspberry vanilla. Floss sugar, also known as cotton candy sugar, is a specialized type of sugar used in making cotton candy. It is finely granulated and typically contains added flavoring and coloring. The sugar is poured into a cotton candy machine, where it is heated, liquefied, and then spun out through tiny holes where it solidifies in mid-air, creating the iconic threads of cotton candy.
- Hard liquor or liqueur — We used vodka.
Determining the Alcohol Content to Make Alcohol Infused Cotton Candy
The first thing to note about this recipe/technique is that your cotton candy will only have about 50% of the alcohol content of the amount of liquor you use once it’s fully prepped and spun.
We determined this based on this table of how long it takes for alcohol to burn off. So this will obviously vary.
For instance, if you’re using 2 shots of vodka in sugar floss to make 4 batches of cotton candy, that’s really only one 1 split between 4 people.
Keep in mind that alcohol can affect the texture of cotton candy. Use a light hand when infusing the sugar with alcohol to prevent inhibiting the formation of delicate cotton candy threads.
So if you’re really looking for something with high alcohol content, check out our cotton candy cocktail!
Tools Needed to Make Homemade Cotton Candy
- Cotton candy maker — This particular Nostalgia Cotton Candy Maker link actually uses hard candy as well as floss sugar to make cotton candy, which is ideal for our Spiked Cotton Candy method.
- Mixing bowl — You’ll need one for each color of cotton candy.
- Sheet pan – You’ll need one for each color of cotton candy.
- Cotton candy cones
How to Make Spiked Cotton Candy
1 — In a mixing bowl with floss sugar, add a small amount of your chosen hard liquor or liqueur so that you achieve the same texture as wet sand or a sugar scrub.
The alcohol should be a small percentage of the overall mixture, as too much can inhibit the formation of cotton candy threads.
2 — Stir well until all of the sugar crystals are covered.
3 — Pour the mixture out evenly on a flat plate or sheet pan to harden overnight back to its dried sugar state. Be sure to keep it away from hot/humid areas. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s hard to the touch.
4 — Since our cotton candy machine also makes hard candy cotton candy, we simply used a knife to chop up little pieces small enough to fit into the maker. If your cotton candy machine does not have this option, blend the harden mixture for finer sugar pieces.
5 — Spin the cotton candy threads into the machine’s collection bowl according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Tips on How to Spin Cotton Candy
- Let the cotton candy machine warm up before spinning your cotton candy. This ensures that the sugar melts consistently.
- Allow the machine to continue spinning until you have a sufficient amount of spiked cotton candy collected in the bowl.
- Hold the cone or cotton candy stick at a slight angle toward the machine’s spinning head.
- Rotate the cone or stick in a circular motion while moving it closer to the machine, allowing the cotton candy to build up.
- To maintain a light and airy texture, avoid adding too much cotton candy to the cone or stick. Overcrowding can result in clumps and uneven texture. And then, you’re ready to serve!
Recipe Notes
- For a sugar free option: Melt sugar free hard candies hard candies and add in vodka once it starts to cool.
- Use the right sugar: Opt for high-quality floss sugar or cotton candy sugar. This special sugar has fine granules and includes flavoring and coloring. Avoid using regular granulated sugar as it may not produce the desired texture.
- Check consistency: Ensure the sugar is at the right consistency. It should be dry and free-flowing, not clumpy or too humid. If the sugar is too moist, it can affect the cotton candy’s texture.
- Use the recommended amount of sugar: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the amount of sugar to use. Overloading the machine can lead to uneven spinning and larger, less delicate strands
- Add a flavorful garnish: Enhance the overall experience by adding a complementary garnish like dried fruit (such as citrus zest) or sprinkles.
More Fun Boozy Dessert Recipes to Try
We were afraid that the alcohol would make the cotton candy even more sensitive to humidity or heat (especially in Texas). But it actually held up just as well as any other cotton candy has! For more fun alcohol desserts to serve at a party, check out these fun recipes below —
- Spiked Lollipops
- Boozy Mudslide Icebox Cake
- Boozy Dirt Cup
- Spiked Peeps
- Bailey’s Ice Cream with Whiskey Caramel Sauce
- Low Calorie Spiked Watermelon Sorbet
- Boozy Watermelon & Papaya Rum Smoothie
Spiked Cotton Candy Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Sheet pan
- Cotton candy cones
- Cotton candy machine
Materials
- Floss sugar
- Vodka or any liquor of choice
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl with floss sugar, add a small amount of your chosen hard liquor or liqueur so that you achieve the same texture as wet sand or a sugar scrub. The alcohol should be a small percentage of the overall mixture, as too much can inhibit the formation of cotton candy threads.
- Stir well until all of the sugar crystals are covered.
- Pour the mixture out evenly on a flatt plate or sheet pan to harden overnight back to its dried sugar state. Be sure to keep it away from hot/humid areas. You'll know it's ready when it's hard to the touch.
- Since our cotton candy machine also makes hard candy cotton candy, we simply used a knife to chop up little pieces small enough to fit into the maker. If your cotton candy machine does not have this option, blend the harden mixture for finer sugar pieces.
- Spin the cotton candy threads into the machine's collection bowl according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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