Easy Cotton Candy Margaritas—Ultimate Pink Cocktail!
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Cotton Candy Margaritas, with their delightful blend of sweet and tart flavors, evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia for fun-filled summer carnivals.
This cotton candy cocktail brings an unexpected twist to your usual margarita, making it a vibrant and playful choice for any occasion!
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we recommend reading through the blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Cotton Candy Margaritas
Cotton candy margaritas are a fun drink made with classic margarita ingredients—silver tequila, triple sec, and lime juice—plus a shot of vodka (specifically cake vodka).
The cotton candy flavor and pink hue come from the addition of fluffy cotton candy, which dissolves in the liquors.
Served in a margarita cocktail glass, rimmed with pink sugar, and some extra cotton candy garnish on top of the drink, this delicious cocktail is definitely one for those with a sweet tooth!
If sweet margaritas are your thing, try our Frozen Strawberry Margaritas, Frozen Fourth of July Margaritas, and our Layered Tropical Margarita made with 3 tequilas—almond, tangerine & mango.
The Best Margarita With A Sweet Flavor!
With their sweet sugar ingredients, cotton candy margaritas are the perfect cocktail for celebrating!
If you love margaritas as much as we do, why not set up a Margarita Board with the simple ingredients for margaritas, with additional snacks and sweet treats to make your next party go with a bang.
The fun flavors of this playful drink make it the perfect choice for your Birthday Party, a bridal shower for your best friend, or a Pink Baby Shower for your sister.
Add this sweet margarita to your cocktail recipes if you’re throwing a Bachelorette Party. It would also be a cute way to enjoy the Barbie Movie night too!
Or, if you’re hosting a summer backyard barbecue, pool party, or girls’ night, why not have a carnival theme, complete with carnival games, corn dogs, and a large pitcher or two of the pink margaritas.
You could go one step further and set up a Cotton Candy Machine so that guests can make their own flavors of cotton candy to customize and make their perfect drink!
Reasons Why You’ll Love Cotton Candy Margaritas
- They offer a fun twist on a classic margarita, making your cocktail hour much more exciting.
- They bring a sweet nostalgia of childhood fun with the cotton candy component.
- The playful pink color makes for an Instagram-worthy beverage.
Ingredients & Equipment For Cotton Candy Margaritas
This recipe’s ingredients and tools are conveniently linked to online retailers like Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart.
Cotton Candy Margarita Ingredients
- Tequila – you can use silver or gold tequila in this cocktail
- Triple Sec – an orange-flavored liqueur.
- Cake Vodka – Several brands make cake-flavored vodka, including:
- Pinnacle Cake Vodka
- UV Cake Vodka
- Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka
- If you can’t source cake vodka, other options for you to use include Vanilla Vodka, Whipped Cream Vodka, or Marshmallow Vodka.
- And if you can source it, there is Cotton Candy Vodka for an even sweeter flavor.
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Pink Cotton Candy – This is what makes the cocktail pink. You can use pink food coloring if you want a stronger color.
- For Garnish – Lime Wheel, Pink Cotton Candy
- Simple Syrup –
- You can buy this ready-made, but it is easy to make yourself.
- To make simple syrup, place equal measures of sugar and water in a pan and stir over medium heat.
- By the time it simmers, the sugar is dissolved, and that’s it. For a thicker syrup, simmer to reduce.
- When the syrup has cooled, use it in cocktails as required.
- Store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- Pink Sanding Sugar – or coarse sugar for the glass rims
Cocktail Equipment
- This cocktail is shaken, but don’t worry if you don’t have a cocktail shaker!
- Use a container with a tight-fitting lid—like a mason jar or the cup on a blender or smoothie maker.
- Margarita Glasses – or any kind of cocktail glasses you have.
- Rimming Dish – or saucers for rimming the glasses with sugar.
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What Can I Serve With Cotton Candy Margaritas?
- Corn Dogs: Pair this drink with these fun snacks for a full-on carnival vibe.
- Crispy Taco Cheese Cups: The margarita’s sweet notes offset the spicy and savory flavors of tacos.
- Cotton Candy Fudge: Continue the fun fair theme with this sweet treat.
More Margaritas To Make
If you enjoy margs, you’re going to love our Unique Margarita Recipes
Cotton Candy Margarita Variations
Here are some variations of the original cocktail recipe you might like to try.
Try using different flavors of cotton candy to customize the flavor and color of your margaritas.
Virgin Cotton Candy Margarita Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
So that non-drinkers can enjoy a sweet cotton candy mocktail, we simply remove the alcohol and replace it!
Follow the recipe card using the non-alcoholic alternatives listed below instead of the alcoholic ones.
Replace the tequila, triple sec, and cake vodka with a mixture of lemon-lime soda or cream soda and a splash of cotton candy syrup for a sweet, non-alcoholic treat.
I recommend adding the syrups to your taste as they may add the sweetness you may not necessarily get from alcoholic liqueurs.
Cotton Candy Mockarita with Non-Alcoholic Spirits
For adults who would still like to enjoy the taste of alcohol in their mocktail, you could try non-alcoholic alternatives.
In the UK, try Lyre’s, which is also available on Amazon in the UK and Amazon.com.
Other brands include Strykk (UK) and Ritual (US & Canada). Non-alcoholic spirits are a growing trend, so be on the lookout in your local stores and online.
- Instead of Tequila, use Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit.
- Instead of Triple Sec, use Lyre’s Orange Sec.
- Instead of Cake Vodka, use Strykk Not Vanilla Vodka.
Follow the recipe card using the non-alcoholic alternatives listed above instead of the alcoholic ones.
Frozen Cotton Candy Margaritas
Want to turn this pink cocktail into a frozen slushie? Here’s how!
Put all the ingredients in a blender with a generous amount of ice – then blend till smooth.
Serve with a straw, and watch out for brain freeze!
You can do the same with the mocktail version too.
Big Batch Cotton Candy Margaritas
Want to make a big batch of cotton candy cocktails for a party or gathering? It’s easy – here’s how!
If you use the same measuring container (glass, cup, jug, etc.) for the “1 part”, the ratios will be correct, and you can make as much as you need to.
To make Cotton Candy Margaritas for a crowd, mix together:
- 1 part Tequila
- 1 part Triple Sec
- 1 part Cake Vodka
- ½ part Fresh Lime Juice
- Add Pink Cotton Candy to color the mixture and to taste.
Serve the large batch cocktail in drinks dispensers or pitchers, or go retro and serve from a punch bowl!
Add plenty of ice to your serving container to keep the cocktail chilled. For some fruit garnish, throw in a few maraschino cherries if you like.
Saving Leftovers
While it’s best to enjoy the cocktail fresh to savor its flavors, you may have some left at the end of your party—don’t let it go to waste!
- Transfer it to an airtight pitcher or container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
- Or, to make it last longer, turn it into a Cotton Candy Margarita Granita!
- Granita is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and various flavorings. Originally from Sicily.
- Transfer the cocktail to a shallow freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for 6 hours (or overnight). You can add some simple syrup or another sweetener if desired.
- Use a fork to break the frozen cocktail into small pieces. Serve and enjoy!
- Or pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.
- Use the cocktail cubes to chill and flavor future cocktails without diluting the drink.
Setting Up Your Cocktail Bar
When setting up your cocktail bar or serving area, you could include the following:
- Ice Bucket—Filled with ice, of course! Don’t forget a scoop or tongs.
- Cocktail Glasses
- Cocktail Napkins
- Cocktail Stirrers/Swizzle Sticks
- Cocktail Sticks/Picks—For cocktail garnishes.
- Cocktail Decorations—Such as cocktail umbrellas.
This cocktail recipe is intended for adults of the legal drinking age in your country of residence.
Please drink responsibly. Do not drink and drive.
How Do I Make Cotton Candy Margaritas?
The printable recipe card is below—please leave a star rating and quick review to share your experience with others!
Cotton Candy Margarita
Ingredients
For Glass Rim
- Simple Syrup
- Sanding Sugar
For the Margarita
- 2 oz Tequila
- 2 oz Triple Sec
- 2 oz Cake Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ cup of Cotton Candy Pink
For Garnish
- Lime Slices
- Pink Cotton Candy
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- Pour the simple syrup into a small shallow dish, and the sanding sugar into a seprate shallow dish.
- Dip each glass into the syrup, and then into the sugar to coat the rim. Add ice to each glass and set them aside.
- Place the Tequila, Triple Sec, Cake Vodka, lime juice, and cotton candy into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well for 15-30 seconds to combine.
- Pour into the prepared glasses.
- Garnish with a lime slice and top with cotton candy. Cheers!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions!
The beverage is covered, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Appetizer: Tomato Salsa & Tortilla Chips
- Soup: Gazpacho
- Salad: Mexican Chopped Salad
- Main Dish: Street Style Tacos
- Side Dish: Mexican Street Corn
- Dessert: Mexican Buñuelos
FAQ About Cotton Candy Margaritas
Here are some questions people often ask about making margaritas with cotton candy.
Click the question to read the answer. If you have one of your own, please comment on this post!
Cotton candy, also known as candy floss or fairy floss in some countries, is a popular sweet treat made from spun sugar. It is a fluffy and light confectionery with a texture resembling cotton, which is how it got its name. Cotton candy is commonly found at fairs, amusement parks, carnivals, and other outdoor events.
Yes, cotton candy melts in alcohol. When cotton candy comes into contact with alcohol, it dissolves and disappears, creating a sweet and colorful infusion.
This can be particularly appealing when making Cotton Candy Margaritas, as the cotton candy dissolves and adds a unique flavor and hue to the cocktail.
Yes, there are cotton candy-flavored liquors available on the market, such as: Tubbees Cotton Candy Vodka, Halloweeen Cotton Candy Gin Liqueur (ideal for making a Cotton Candy Martini Cocktail), and Stanislav Cotton Candy Vodka
These liquors are typically infused with the sweet and fruity taste of cotton candy and can be used to add a unique flavor to cocktails.
Keep in mind that the taste and quality of cotton candy liquors can vary among different brands, so it’s best to read reviews or try them out to find the one that suits your preferences.
Both Cointreau and Triple Sec are orange-flavored liqueurs used in margaritas, but they have some differences.
Cointreau is a higher quality, premium orange liqueur with a smoother and more balanced flavor profile. On the other hand, Triple Sec is a less expensive and slightly sweeter option.
Whether Cointreau or triple sec is better for your margarita depends on personal preference.
If you prefer a more refined taste and are willing to invest in a higher-quality liqueur, Cointreau might be the better choice.
However, Triple Sec can be a suitable substitute if you want a more budget-friendly option and enjoy a slightly sweeter drink.
In the United Kingdom, cotton candy is commonly known as “candy floss.” The term “candy floss” describes the sweet, spun sugar confection typically served on a stick or in a paper cone, similar to cotton candy in other parts of the world.
In Australia, cotton candy is typically referred to as “fairy floss.” Similar to other names for this confection, “fairy floss” describes the wispy, sugary treat often served at carnivals, festivals, and amusement parks.
The formula for a classic margarita is simple and consists of three primary ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice. The typical ratio for a standard margarita is:
2 parts tequila
1 part orange liqueur
1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
You can also add a sweetener like simple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer a sweeter margarita.
Some people like to use the 3-2-1 formula, with 3 parts tequila, 2 parts orange liqueur, and 1 part lime juice. It’s all about personal preference.