Daiquiri Review Series | Candy Shack Daiquiris on Richmond
On Saturday, I visited Candy Shack Daiquiris at 9282 Richmond for the second time. The first time I went, I was in a hurry, so I didn’t bother to write a review.
When my friend Chantel and I went to Candy Shack last month, the cashier spouted off the ingredients of the classic flavors faster than we could listen. I tried the creamy crack but didn’t like the taste. Turns out, all Candy Shack Daiquiris are made with vodka, except the White Russian which is made with rum.
Chantel tried a few other flavors before ordering the Triple Threat, made with Hurricane, Incredible Hulk, and Lethal Weapon. I ordered the Sunset, made with Sunrise and Hurricane, then we left for Frontier Fiesta. Neither of us thought the drinks were very strong. Chantel ordered an extra shot with hers and still wasn’t feeling the buzz. I wasn’t either, but as the DD it didn’t matter because I wasn’t trying to turn up.
My first impression of the place wasn’t great, but I wanted to go back and give Candy Shack a second try. Unfortunately, my experience wasn’t much different the second time around.
The shop was empty when I came in, but when I started to ask the cashier about the flavors, a train of other customers rolled in. I wasn’t in any rush and waited for the cashier to serve the other customers first. When she was done, she took her time explaining the classic flavors to me.
Afterward, I asked to sample the Carmel Apple, made with Incredible Hulk, caramel syrup and whipped cream, and the Strawberry Shortcake, made with Creamy Crack, Victoria's Secret, and whipped cream. In the small sample cup, the Strawberry Shortcake tasted really good, sweet and well blended.
Unfortunately, that was not the case when I ordered the 16-ounce daiquiri. Though I like the Candy Shack concept, a colorful adult candy store serving sweets and alcohol, the sugary-sweet ingredients in their daiquiris don’t always blend well with the alcohol. Such was the case with the Strawberry Shortcake. The vodka gave the Victoria Secret and strawberry purée a cough syrup flavor. And the coldness of the drink caused all the whipped cream at the top to clump up.
In the end, I couldn’t finish it. I ate most of the whipped cream and threw the rest away.
Even though I didn’t like my experience, the place seems pretty popular, with a steady stream of customers, four other Houston area locations, and one in Arlington. I’d love to hear about your experience should you decide to visit.
