Candy cocktails

Rolo Shot | KeyBar

KeyBar’s signature Rolo Shot has been credited with drawing crowds to the tiny East Village outpost (in addition to a daily two-for-one Happy Hour that lasts until 10 p.m.), and though its cult following is well known, its recipe is kept shrouded in secrecy. Some think it’s a mixture of caramel and Kahlua, while others believe the Hungarian owners boil down actual Rolo candies and infuse them with vodka. Whatever the case, the richly thick and creamy house-made shot, which takes three days to prepare, is well worth the effort: Smooth chocolate coats the palate until it’s punctuated by a burn of not alcohol but fiery spices that hover throughout the mouth for a final, lasting shock. ($6)

Candy Credibility: 4 stars. A viable (even enjoyable) shot for those who don’t “do” shots, and even more pleasant for those who actually do. It might as well be renamed the Mexican Tootsie Roll shot, though, for its synthetic chocolate flavor and fiery spice.

KeyBar (432 E 13th St., 212- 478-3021)