Candy cocktails: Adults crave some sweet sips

Brightly colored, sugary confections aren’t just for the kids. Candy cocktails are the sweet sips that appeal to the kid in everyone.

Who remembers going to a birthday party and getting a goodie bag filled with candy? What about that Easter basket overflowing with sugary confections? While adults may not want a big bag of candy, a sweet treat can be quite satisfying. These candy cocktails are the ultimate sweet sips.

Adding candy to cocktails can be a little tricky. While some people adore the gigantic, sugar overload goblets, like the ones at Sugar Factory, those drinks aren’t the only candy cocktail option. Some of your favorite candy can be used to enhance cocktail flavors.

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Sometimes mixologists use candy on the rim of a glass. The crushed candy can add a touch of sweetness to each sip. Once all that candy rim is gone that candy flavor is gone, too. Fortunately, there is another way to bring a favorite candy into the cocktail.

Infusing candy flavor into a cocktail can create the perfect candy cocktails. While you have to find the right flavor combinations, the infusion method is relatively easy. Plus, this idea is a great way to use up some of your kids candy (don’t worry, we won’t tell them).

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One candy that works quite well is HI-CHEW. For those unfamiliar with this candy, HI-CHEW is the chewy, fruity candy from Japan. It has a really smooth texture. The candy has legions of followers all over the world.

With a variety of fruity flavors, HI-CHEW is a perfect candy for a candy cocktail. Flavors like strawberry, banana and cherry can blend with a variety of craft cocktails. The biggest problem is making sure that you don’t eat all the candy before making the cocktails.

To bring candy cocktails to life, HI-CHEW partnered with Allison Kave of bar/bakery Butter & Scotch. With the fruity, chewy HI-CHEW and Kave’s mixology skills, the resulting candy-infused cocktail recipes will make you feel like a kid in candy heaven.

Here are a few of FoodSided’s favorite creations.

Fizzies Fashioned, Candy Cocktails, photo provided by HI-CHEW

Fizzies Fashioned

An Old Fashion is a classic cocktail. The sugar forward cocktail has had many variations. In this one, the Cola HI-CHEW adds the sweetness usually found in the sugar. The combination still retains the sweetness but adds a boost of flavor. Here’s how to make one.

"Fizzies Fashioned• 1.5 ounces Cola HI-CHEW Infused Rye Whiskey**• .5 ounce cherry liqueur• 4 dashes Angostura bitters• Seltzer• Orange peel for garnishMethod: Measure the whiskey, cherry liqueur, and bitters into a soda glass. Fill with ice, top with soda, and stir. Garnish with an orange peel and serve with a straw.**Cola HI-CHEW Infused Rye Whiskey: The infusion ratio is one piece of candy for every 2 ounces of liquor."

Banana Choco Delight, photo provided by HI-CHEW

Banana Choco Delight

Who hasn’t indulged in a banana split at least once? While a kids can happily chow down on that gigantic dessert, adults can have a liquid version. In this candy cocktail, the banana and chocolate flavors blend into a rich, yet not too sweet, cocktail. Also, this cocktail can be made without the rum. Skip the rum and use the banana HI-CHEW for a non-alcoholic version.

"Banana Choco DelightServes 2• 2 ounces Banana HI-CHEW Infused Overproof Dark Rum**• 1.5 tablespoons cocoa• 1.5 cups whole milk• 3 ounces dark chocolate• 1.5 tablespoons sugar• 2 tablespoons peanut butter• Whipped cream and banana garnishMethod: In a small saucepan, heat half of the milk until warm, then whisk in the cocoa until no lumps remain. Add the remaining milk, chocolate, sugar, and peanut butter, and whisk until all is melted, smooth, and hot. Remove from the heat, stir in the rum, and divide between two mugs. Top with fresh whipped cream and a slice of caramelized banana."

Grapefruit Sours Sparkler, Candy Cocktails, photo provided by HI-CHEW

Grapefruit Sours Sparkler

Bubbles make an occasion a celebration. Sometimes bubbles (or sparkling wines) can be a little sweet. Balance that sweetness with a bright, tart grapefruit flavor. This candy cocktail is perfect for a warm day, sipping by the pool or a girls’ night out.

"Grapefruit Sours Sparkler• 4 ounces sparkling wine• 1 ounce Mango or Sour Grapefruit HI-CHEW Infused Brandy• 1 dash Angostura bittersMethod: Measure the bitters and brandy into a coupe, top with sparkling wine."

Mango Chile-rita, photo provided by HI-CHEW

Mango Chile-rita

Spice infused cocktails are very popular. Margaritas with a little spice are amazing. The sweet and sour cocktail lends itself to a dash of heat. This candy cocktail blends the tropical flavors from the mango with classic margarita components. Once sip and you will be dreaming of a tropical vacation.

"Mango Chile-rita1.5 ounces Mango HI-CHEW Infused Reposado Tequila**1 ounce fresh orange juice.75 ounce fresh lime juice.5 ounce simple syrup1 dash Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub (optional)Kosher salt and cayenne pepper for garnishMethod: Run a lime wedge along the lip of one half of a rocks glass, then roll that side of the glass in an equal-parts mix of kosher salt and cayenne pepper. Measure all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, shake vigorously, then strain over fresh ice in the prepared rocks glass.**INFUSIONS: The infusion ratio is one piece of candy per ounce of liquor. Soak the candy until dissolved."

Are you ready to try some candy cocktails? We’re inspired to create some of our own using HI-CHEW. Check back to see what we’ve created, follow us on Facebook or tag us with #FoodSided with you own sweet sip.