Pink Starburst Shot Recipe

Imagine drinking Starburst candy in a shot form. That’s exactly what this delicious Pink Starburst Shot recipe tastes like!

The Pink Starburst Shot recipe is a delicious rendition of the classic candy. It’s sweet, fruity, creamy, super easy to make, and for sure an instant hit.

Its vibrant pink color makes it the perfect sweet cocktail shots for a Valentine’s Day party or girls night out.

Plus, isn’t the pink Starburst everybody’s favorite Starburst flavor of them all anyway?

How to Achieve the Best Pink Starburst Flavor?

Contrary to its name, the shot doesn’t actually contain pink Starburst.

There are many recipes that call for watermelon pucker or sweet and sour mix.

We tested those two ingredients. And although they’re great, they don’t truly mimic the real pink Starburst flavor as another ingredient.

After all, the candy’s main flavor profile is predominantly strawberry with a sweet and creamy aftertaste.

So there’s no room for watermelon or an excess of sourness. And thus, we’ve come up with a super easy and delicious combination of ingredients that creates the perfect, most accurate flavor.

The secret ingredient to achieve the perfect strawberry creamy flavor is to use Bailey’s Strawberries and Cream Liqueur.

You can also use it to make a Pink Mudslide.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Shot

Vodka — Use the brand of your choice.

Caramel vodka — Adds sweetness and that delicious caramel aftertaste. You can also substitute it with vanilla vodka if you don’t have any on hand.

Baileys Strawberries & Cream Liqueur — For the strawberry and vanilla component and the delicious creamy texture.

Strawberry syrup — To amp up the strawberry flavor and to also to amp up the bright pink color. 

Pink Starburst candy — Optional for garnish that you can also eat later.

Can the Shot Do Without Baileys Strawberries and Cream Liqueur?

No, this is the one ingredient in the Pink Starburst cocktail that shouldn’t be substituted.

It tastes exactly like strawberries and cream. So it’s the main reason how the shot achieves the strawberry flavor and candy like texture.

If you don’t have a bottle on hand, you can substitute it with regular Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and strawberry puree. 

What to Do if You Want It to Taste More Sourer?

If you do prefer sour cocktails and want some tartness to the shot, don’t add a sweet and sour mix to this Pink Starburst recipe.

The presence of citrus can curdle the Baileys Strawberries & Cream Liqueur.

Instead, try adding fresh strawberry purée made of slightly non-ripe strawberries. 

How to Make a Pink Starburst Shot

1 — In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, caramel vodka, Baileys Strawberries & Cream, and a dash of strawberry syrup. 

2 — Shake well until chilled and pour into a shot glass.

3 — Optional: Garnish with a pink starburst by cutting a small slit in the candy and sitting it on the glass rim.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Chill the shot glass beforehand:

As always, chilling the shot glasses beforehand will ensure extra chilled shots.

So wet the shot glasses, and store them in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. 

To make a large batch:

Simply use equal parts with all the ingredients. And store the mixture in the fridge for up to one week in advance.

More garnish ideas:

Rim the shot glasses or cocktail glasses with pink sugar. To get the sugar to stick, the typical method is to first use a lemon wedge to rim the glass.

But since this the Pink Starburst Shot is meant to be a sweet shot, you can also rim the glass with corn syrup first.

More Strawberry Flavored Drinks

• Love Potion — A sweet and tangy cocktail featuring raspberry vodka, strawberry gin and strawberry juice.
• Strawberry Bellini — The ultimate sparkling strawberry drink using only 3 simple ingredients.
• Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler — A refreshing spiked tea cocktail.
• Strawberry Hennessy —  A Hennessy cognac base cocktail featuring oak, strawberry and vanilla notes that are topped off with refreshing bubbles.

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