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🎪 This whimsical Circus Margarita is made with tequila, lime juice, cream soda, and cotton candy for a sweet carnival-inspired cocktail! 🍭🍹 Perfect for parties, girls’ night, or summer fun!
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Pin ItCotton Candy Margarita
If you’re looking for a drink that’s as fun to make as it is to sip, this Circus Margarita is it. With a sweet splash of cream soda and a puff of cotton candy magic, it’s the ultimate carnival cocktail for parties, celebrations, or just because. Whether you’re calling it a cotton candy margarita or a cream soda margarita, this drink turns heads and brings the fun.
If you’re looking for fun party drinks that double as conversation starters, these Circus Margaritas check all the boxes. This is one of those whimsical cocktails that make any gathering feel like a celebration.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet, tangy, and fizzy with just the right kick
- Looks like a magic trick in a glass
- Perfect for birthdays, brunches, or any themed celebration
- Ready in minutes with simple ingredients
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- 3/4 cup tequila – silver preferred, or use reposado. Swap with mezcal for a smokier version.
- 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice – bottled works if needed
- 1/2 cup cream soda – any good-quality brand. Lemon-lime soda also offers a slightly different, yet still delicious, flavor profile.
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur – triple sec or Cointreau. Try Grand Marnier for a richer flavor
- 1 package cotton candy – any flavor or color
✨ Variations
- Mocktail version: Use orange juice and lemon-lime soda in place of the alcohol
- Frozen style: Blend with ice for a slushy carnival cocktail
- Extra sweet: Rim your glasses with colored sugar for a little sparkle
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🔥 Tips
- Add the soda after shaking to preserve the fizz
- Pour slowly over the cotton candy to keep the drama
- Serve immediately for the best visual and flavor impact
❓ FAQs
You can mix the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur ahead of time, but add the soda and cotton candy just before serving.
Any store-bought kind will work. Classic pink or blue adds the most color contrast, but feel free to play with flavors.
It has a sweet twist from the soda and cotton candy, but the lime juice helps balance it out. You can adjust the sweetness by using less soda or more lime.
Yes, mix the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur in a pitcher. Add soda and cotton candy to individual glasses just before serving to keep the presentation fun.
Use stemless wine glasses, mason jars, or any clear glass that shows off the cotton candy and color. The more whimsical, the better.
Yes! Flavored tequilas like citrus or vanilla pair well with the cotton candy and cream soda, adding even more dimension.
Yes, as long as you leave out the alcohol. Kids love watching the cotton candy dissolve like magic, and it makes for fun party drinks. If you love playful, whimsical cocktails that surprise and delight, this one’s a must-try.
Absolutely. A sugar rim, especially one made with colored sugar, adds a festive touch and complements the sweetness of the drink.
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Circus Margarita
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Equipment
- 2 glasses
Ingredients
- ¾ cup tequila
- ½ cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
- ½ cup cream soda
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- 1 package cotton candy, any flavor or color
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Shake vigorously.
- Add cream soda and gently stir to combine.
- Fill each serving glass about three-quarters full with cotton candy.
- Slowly pour the margarita mixture over the cotton candy until the glass is about halfway full.
- Add ice and stir until the cotton candy dissolves.
- Serve immediately with a fun straw or festive garnish.
Notes
- Tequila Tip: Silver tequila keeps the flavor clean and lets the cotton candy shine, but feel free to experiment with a smoky mezcal or reposado for a twist.
- Cotton Candy Choices: Pink and blue cotton candy give that classic carnival look, but feel free to try flavors like grape or watermelon for a fun surprise.
- Soda: Any high-quality cream soda works. Just make sure it’s not too flat.
- Make it a Mocktail: Skip the tequila and orange liqueur. Sub in orange juice and a splash of lemon-lime soda for a kid-friendly or non-alcoholic version.
- Serving Tip: This drink is best made right before serving, so the cotton candy stays magical and doesn’t melt too soon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Cotton Candy vodka what will they think of next… sounds like a party in a glass. Thanks for bringing your drink by foodie friday. Pinned.
I LOVE a good margarita – and this looks perfectly refreshing for Summer – or anytime! Visiting from the Saturday Night Fever Link up 🙂 Come visit!
I loves me some margaritas, Jamie! I have pinned this bad boy. Thank you for sharing these with us at Treasure Box Tuesday! ♥
That looks and sounds delicious! I'll have to look for the Vodka, I haven't seen it yet! Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
Oooh…yummy! Can't wait to try this out with Hubby! Shared on Pinterest!!!
I've lived in Arizona Jamie and I'll take hot, humid Georgia weather over Arizona any day!! Your Circus margarita sounds so good! I've never had cotton candy vodka before. Pinning! 🙂
Julie@ Sweet and Spicy Monkey