Looking for a cool purple drink? Make the Purple Gecko Shot recipe, made with a variety of tasty ingredients. This is an easy guide to show you exactly how to make a purple gecko drink!

We love a good fun cocktail, enter this purple gecko recipe. For more, try out our Baby Yoda Cocktail, it seriously looks just like Grogu. Or make the infamous Duck Fart Shot, you can’t say it without laughing. This Water Moccasin Shot is good, but careful it may bite!

Two shot glasses full of the purple gecko with lime slices on the sides of the glasses.

So, this purple gecko cocktail is such a pretty drink, I mean how often do you get to drink something that has such a nice purple color. There is basically grape Kool-aid, grape juice, or grape soda for your choices and that is about it as far as purple beverages go.

Plus, how fun is it to order something called a purple gecko? If you have an experienced bartender, they are going to know exactly what you are looking for, although you may get some side eye glances from the people around you.

But now, you don’t even have to go to a bar to get this drink and that is because I am going to show you how to make a purple gecko shot right from the comfort of your own home.

Make this salt-rimmed cocktail for your friends for any type of get togethers. House parties, game day, Halloween, or bbq’s.

This fun purple cocktail can be made as a shot or into a cocktail. You may as well call it purple gecko margarita because it is made with tequila and sour mix and tastes like one too. Directions for it are below.

An up close of a shot glass with purple cocktail and a lime half.

What’s in a Purple Gecko?

Ok, this popular cocktail has a few more ingredients than some of our other drinks. But, bare with me this one is worth it. The ingredients in purple gecko drinks are tequila, blue curaçao, cranberry juice, sweet and sour, lime juice, and margarita salt (for the rim).

You may be wonder where the orange liqueur is (many gecko shots are made with it). Well, I purposely left it out, you want to know why? Because blue curaçao is the same flavor as orange curaçao. Yep!

If you have some triple sec or orange liqueur lying around you can add it for 1/2 the amount of the blue liqueur.

But, there is no reason for you to buy a second bottle of alcohol that has the same flavor as the blue version. Now you can use that money to go buy toilet paper instead.

Above view of two shot glasses of purple gecko.

What do Purple Gecko Shots taste like?

This simple cocktail has a delicious citrus flavor blended with a hint of cranberry and some sourness thrown in from the sweet and sour mix, lime juice, and lime wedge.

What kind of Cranberry Juice to Use

When choosing cranberry juice for this shot recipe you may be wondering what is the difference between cranberry juice, cranberry cocktail, and unsweetened cranberry juice?

Cranberry cocktail: This is cranberry juice that has a lot of sugar added to it and the one I use in this purple gecko.
Cranberry juice: Not technically pure cranberry juice even when it is labeled as 100% juice. It is usually made up of 4 different juices like apple juice, grape juice, and pear juice on top of the cranberry juice.
Unsweetened cranberry juice: This is 100% cranberry juice, but does not have any sugar added to it. If you use this you may want to add 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to the cocktail shaker to add some sweetness. If you use organic unsweetened cranberry juice, the color may not be as red as some other options which may effect the color of the drink.

More Fun Cocktails

If you like this drink, then you’ve gotta try these, too!

Baby Yoda Cocktail (Kiwi Martini) – Fun for Star Wars Day or Halloween

Duck Fart Shot

White Tea Shot

Recipe Ingredients

Tequila: You want to use a white tequila because it is clear. If you use gold, it will change the color of your drink.
Blue Curacao: Blue curaçao liqueur is an orange flavored
Cranberry Juice: I use cranberry cocktail juice.
Sweet & Sour Mix: This adds a little bit of tartness.
Lime Juice: You will need a little juice for the rim and a squeeze for the drink.
Cocktail Salt: Also know as margarita salt, this is used for the rim of the glass. You can also use rock salt / kosher salt.
Lime: A lime wedge can be used to garnish the shot glass or the edge of the margarita glass.

All the ingredients needed to make the purple gecko shot.

Tools Needed

Cocktail shaker
Strainer (if your cocktail shaker doesn’t have one)
Jigger
2-ounce shot glasses, margarita glass, or cocktail glass

How to Make Purple Gecko Shot

Dip the rim of the glass into some lime juice or water. Then into the salt and set aside.
Fill a cocktail shaker filled with a handful of ice cubes.
Add in tequila, blue curaçao, cranberry juice, sweet and sour, and lime juice.
Shake for at least 10 seconds.
Strain into the shot glasses.
Garnish with a lime wedge.

Step by step instructions on how to make a purple gecko.

How to Make it into a Purple Gecko Drink

This isn’t just a recipe that can be enjoyed as a shot, it can also transform into a purple gecko margarita! So if you are looking for a cocktail to sip on instead of throw back, try making this version.

All you need to do is dip the rim of a margarita glass in lime juice and salt. Make the drink in the shaker and strain into the margarita glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime slice if desired.

Can I Switch Out the Cranberry Juice?

Yes, the cranberry juice can be swapped out for another option, but won’t taste the same as this version. You just need an ingredient that is red in color to mix with the blue curaçao to make the purple colored drink.

I haven’t tried any of these, they are just suggestions for options so let me know if you try one of these or something different in the comments below.

Red fruit juices such as kool-aid or fruit punch.
Red grenadine syrup
Raspberry liqueur
Pomegranate syrup
Red wine (may taste a little funny)

Recipe Tips & Variations

Switch out the cranberry juice. Use another red liquid instead of cranberry juice.
Lemon instead of lime. If you only have lemons, this recipe will work with fresh lemon juice also.
A drink. Make it into a drink instead of a shot. The instructions are above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cocktail shaker? You do need to use some sort of cocktail shaker. If you don’t have one you can use a glass jar with a lid and then just strain the liquid.

How many calories in a purple gecko? Each purple gecko shot has a little over 100 calories. If you drink it as a cocktail it is a little over 310 calories.

Do purple gecko shots taste like alcohol? The purple gecko shot tastes just like a margarita!

Two shot glasses full of the purple gecko.

Leftover Drink Storage Instructions

How to refrigerate white tea shot? If you happen to have any drink left overs, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Try these other recipes!

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5 from 10 votes