Black Gumball Cocktail

More About This Recipe

• I’ve made no secret of my love for a theme cocktail for entertaining, and that goes double for my ongoing fascination with bubble gum flavored vodka. Halloween, with its focus on parties and, well, candy, is the perfect time for both! The Black Gumball Cocktail is perfect for the ghoulish holiday – confectionary inspired, not too boozy - and, let’s face it - the black Sambuca at the bottom coordinates well with Halloween decorations! But back to the the Sambuca – in case you’re not familiar, it’s a licorice flavored liqueur. If you’re not a licorice fan, this cocktail easily becomes a Red Gumball…Green Gumball…Pink Gumball, what have you, by swapping in your favorite, brightly colored liqueur. Whatever variety of gumball, you’ll want to dress up your cocktail glasses for the party as well. A quick rimming of colored sugar is a nice touch. For a finishing touch, a Gusher fruit snack on a toothpick makes for an adorably glam, edible swizzle stick (it looks like a spooky little jewel, doesn’t it?). To make the cocktail, just combine one part bubble gum vodka and two parts lemon-lime soda to a pitcher, stir gently, and pour into glasses. Add the liqueur to the bottom of the glass using a straw (technique here). Pop in your Gusher swizzle stick, and serve to delighted guests.