This recipe for a pretty Candy corn Martini is the cocktail that makes any spooky or cute Halloween party extra sweet. The colorful layers in this vodka drink are almost too stunning to sip. Who says the kids are the only ones that get the trick-or-a-treat fun on Halloween?
The treat of this martini is how sweet and rich it is. It is definitely a special occasion sort of cocktail. The drink may not be the same exact colors or in the same layer order as the candy but no one will complain as they sip this lovely drink.
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The Why
Why do I need to make this recipe? Here are all the reasons why I cannot get enough of this recipe & why you will love it too.
- An easy Halloween cocktail recipe.
- Only 4 ingredients.
- Pretty, colorful, & my favorite aesthetic martini.
- Sweet & DELISH!
Candy corn makes its way into trick or treats bags all over the country each October. I hope that this candy corn martini makes its way into home cocktail menus each October as well.
History & Fun Facts about Candy Corn
- First produced in the 1880s
- "Chicken Feed" was the original name
- 35 million pounds are sold annually
- There are other holiday varieties, like Reindeer Corn (red, white & green) and Bunny Corn (2 pastels & white tip)
- It is fat-free and each piece is 7 calories
- October 30th is National Candy Corn Day
What does Candy Corn Taste Like?
Corn is a perfect fusion of rich fondant, sweet marshmallow, and a bit of vanilla.I wanted to mimic these creamy, sweet, and rich flavors in a cocktail. Therefore, I need to have some ingredients that would make this super sweet like marshmallows and but also have the colors of the iconic candy corn pieces.
Ingredients
All you need is a flavored vodka, grenadine, plus some juice & whipped cream for this cocktail. Though pineapple is not a flavor in candy corn the color & yumminess is amazing anyway.
I have seen other recipes using sweet-and-sour mix instead of juice & they didn't taste good. Nor did I want to "soak / infusion" vodka for a month along with candy corn soaking in it.
Here is all you need to make a candy corn-inspired martini.
Here are the ingredients needed to make Candy Corn Martinis.
- Whipped Vodka - the whipped cream flavored vodka, Pinnacle brand, is what makes this the best!
- Pineapple Juice - a bit tart to balance the sweetness & for the yellow colored layer.
- Grenadine - the thick syrup that adds red color for that dark orange color.
- Whipped Cream - the ultimate fluffy topping & the white layer of a candy corn piece.
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
How to Make a Candy Corn Martini
The trick for this martini is that the grenadine is a thick sweet syrup that will sink to the bottom of the glass and create the bottom layer of what will be a 3-layer beverage.
This recipe is for two big martinis. If you have smaller martini glasses (like how some restaurants serve and I am like - two sips - wait - what?!?) this could be a mix for three glasses.
Here are the easy steps for making this recipe:
- Shake up the Martini
- Pour the Martini
- Top & Sip
See the recipe card for full instructions & amounts.
1 - Shake up the Martini
- Fill the martini shaker ¼ full with ice.
- Add the whipped cream vodka & pineapple juice.
- Tighten lid & shake!
2 - Pour the Martini
- Pour through strainer into each martini glass, only ¾ of the way full.
- Add grenadine slowly to the martini.
- Let the grenadine settle on the bottom.
3 - Top & Sip
Try not to start sipping even though it looks & smells amazing. Top each with whipped cream. Add it gently so it floats on top.
THIS RECIPE WAS FEATURED IN COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE !
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Serve this at any Halloween party along with my favorite candy-flavored shooter, a Tootsie Roll shot. And for something spiced for fall, the rum delight Burt Reynolds shot is a hit too.
Top Tips & Equipment
All of these great tips are shared in the recipe card. But these are so good and important they are worth highlighting so you don't miss them.
- Do not replace the vodka with any other flavor.
- Pour the grenadine in slowly so it doesn't mix but creates the distinct layers that makes candy corn so fun.
- Top the whipped cream with finely chopped candy corn pieces for the ultimate garnish.
- You will need a cocktail shaker and I love this one in this inexpensive bar set.
- Use classic martini glasses for gorgeous results, stemless ones aren't as festive.
Final Notes & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned, funny stories or bloopers, and more from creating & testing this recipe.
- You may need to go to a liquor store to get the flavored vodka. Any brand of whipped cream flavor vodka will work such as Pinnacle or Smirnoff.
- Do not replace the vodka with plain or other flavors, it will not come out sweet & creamy tasting.
- Use orange juice as an alternate to the pineapple juice.
- This is still one of my most popular recipes and I created this my first year of blogging in 2019.
- Friends request this any time of year, we have been known to enjoy this in the middle of summer when a pineapple-flavored martini sounds good too.
- Do you like candy corn? It seems to be a polarizing candy with a clear love it or hate it relationship.
Candy Corn Martini
Equipment
- Martini Shaker
- Martini Glasses
Ingredients
- crushed ice
- 4 oz whipped cream flavored vodka
- 1 C pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoon grenadine
- whipped cream Reddi-Whip
Instructions
- Fill martini shaker ¼ the way up with crushed or cubed ice.
- Pour in the vodka and pineapple juice.
- Ensure the lid is on tight and then shake 15 seconds.
- Remove top strainer lid and pour into martini glasses until about ¾ of the way filled.
- Measure 1 TB of grenadine each, and pour into a martini glass. It will sink to the bottom slowly.
- Top each martini with whipped cream.
More Halloween Drink Recipes
If you love this recipe, try these similar favorites here on the blog:
Shirley says
That looks absolutely yummy! I have to try this! Thanks!
Holly Bird says
This is so awesome I pinned it so I can make it later! Thank you for the great recipe!
Angela says
You are welcome
Kristen Usrey says
This looks good. I can't wait to try it out with my husband.
jen says
This is so cute!!!!
I tried something similar for the fourth of july and it did not turn out so well. but I'm willing to try this again for this festiveness!
Angela says
Yes, please try this!!! I made several batches for neighbors during the testing phase and everyone loved them!
Michelle says
I don't drink. BUT boy-oh-boy I am seriously thinking of wanting one of these! They look amazing and tasty. I know for sure I at least have to try and make one for my best friend.
Angela says
You can make a virgin version, just leave out the vodka - still as sweet and pretty.
Christie says
That is a great looking drink! I will have to try this.
Angela says
Sure is pretty! (and tasty!)
Karen says
WOW! It looks exactly like a candy corn.
Angela says
Isn't it super cute and festive looking? Then you drink it and woh, sooo good! It doesn't take exactly like candy corn but it is #&*% good! Happy Halloween!
Ellen says
Candy corn is one of my guilty pleasures. Definitely going to have to do this at my fall get togethers!
Ramae Hamrin says
I've always loved candy corn, but I've never heard of a candy corn martini before! I'm going to pass this recipe on to a good friend that owns a liquor store. Maybe she'll make me one!
Magan says
I think this may be too sweet for me, but I have friends who will love it! We’ll have to try it at an upcoming party.
Christina Furnival says
What a fun and creative drink! I'll have to try it!
Margie says
Wow. Who would have ever thought.
Lisa says
This is fabulous! Although, I’m unable to drink pineapple or orange juice, I’ve shared this with friends and family for their enjoyment.
Angela says
Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Pauline says
These look yummy. We'll have to try them for our annual family harvest party.
Angela says
Oh yes, sounds like the perfect event for this cocktail.
Lisa says
Woah, this looks like an amazing, yummy, fun drink to make. I am going to have to try this at our Halloween gathering next week
Jody says
Ih boy this looks like it would be soooooo good.
Cindy says
These are so clever! Bet they taste amazing too. What perfect drinks for an adult Halloween party.
April says
Visiting from the Creative Muster party. What a cute drink, they would be a fun treat at a party.
Sharon says
How gorgeous! So amazing how you can create such a colorful and creative drink that actually looks like candy corn!
Thank you for linking up w us at Creative Muster! Blessings to you xoxoxo Sharon
Marie says
These would be a hit at any Fall gathering or Halloween Party! Pinned
Hannah says
It is not Halloween but I saw this and had to try it. Silly for 4th of July but why not. I am glad I did. It was so good and the neighbors saw it and asked what it was and were jealous. So I made them some too and we all laughed that if there is Xmas in July why not Halloween!
Angela says
Now that is funny. Glad you found a new summer holiday cocktail. Haha.
Jobbie says
I am hosting a Halloween fundraiser this year and wanted to try out a few recipes before I have the bartenders make them. So glad I did because I got to drink this and it is insane. This will probably be our most popular drink at the event. The best Halloween cocktail ever.
Angela says
Oh, what a fun event. I hope it is a huge success with raising money and with enjoying candy corn vodka cocktails.
Heather Johnson says
i wasn't sure when i first saw the name - but pineapple, vodka and grenadine are my favorites! so good! loved it - how fun!
Andrea says
This is my kind of martini! Loving all the flavors in it.
estee says
hello fall! this is such a fun cocktail and so creative!
Colleen says
This cocktail is fun and delicious and I'll be making it again for my Halloween Party this year. Thanks for sharing!
Maria says
Found a recipe where I can entertain myself. I feel like a barista when making this hehe. A good night for me when making and drinking this recipe!
Jeff says
Our neighborhood haunted house building party was today. I was in charge of refreshments - snacks, water , and sodas. But I surprised them all with these at the end of the night yesterday when we turned on the lights to the haunted house and had a toast. We went a bit crazy with the whipped cream but they were the talk of the weekend and I have already been recruited to make them on Halloween again.
Angela says
Oh fun. I want to be part of your neighborhood too. We have a lot of fun in ours and about a mile away is a house that builds an amazing haunted house every year.
Bethel says
So pretty and tasty. I love sweet drinks and this was great for me.
blakely says
This cocktail is marvelous. I made this for a girl's night at the dorm and everyone kept wanting one and taking pictures. So sippably yum.
Sinva says
Gorgeous and so yummy. This is dessert in a drink.
Beth says
Looks like candy corn! I like that this is sweet and good without tasting like the waxy candy corn candy. It’s 1000x better than actual candy corn.
Angela says
I know right - so good!
Jacky says
Best Halloween drink ever!