This bubble gum vodka cocktail tastes uncannily like cola, thanks to a homemade bubble gum-infused vodka and the bittersweet, faintly licorice flavor of Averna. It’s also a genuinely clever way to use up the loose, wrapped gum that piles up at the bottom of a trick-or-treat bag after the chocolate disappears.
Cola fans will find our Faux-Ca Cola Spritz quite refreshing! This cocktail was originally inspired by the excess of wrapped bubble gum found in the bottom of the kiddos’ trick-or-treat bag. You can chew the gum for a moment of super sweetness, followed by a less flavorful, stiff wad of gum to give your jaw a workout, OR… you can infuse your favorite vodka, and create a surprisingly delicious spritz. The combination of the bubble gum vodka and the bittersweetness of Averna, with its hint of licorice flavor, creates a cola-like taste that is truly enjoyable.
How to Infuse Your Bubble Gum Vodka
It might sound a little crazy, but hear us out. Take ten pieces of that Double Bubble at the bottom of the trick or treat bag and mix it with two cups of vodka. Then, let it sit in a sealed jar for at least 48 hours. If you aren’t satisfied with the flavor, leave it for up to 7 days. Then, you can combine it into your Cola Spritz in 2 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Cola Spritz
It’s a genuinely useful candy hack. Most leftover-candy recipes use chocolate or hard candy; this one solves the specific problem of loose bubble gum nobody wants to eat. It tastes like cola, without any actual cola. The combination of sweet gum flavor and Averna’s bittersweet, licorice-leaning profile is a genuine flavor trick, not just a novelty. It’s low-effort once the vodka is infused. The cocktail itself is a two-minute build: shake, strain, top with soda. And it’s a fun project drink. Infusing your own vodka is an easy first step into home cocktail-making, and it makes a good excuse to get ahead on Halloween prep.
Ingredient Notes: Averna and Infused Vodka
Averna. Amaro Averna is a Sicilian bittersweet herbal liqueur first produced in 1868 in Caltanissetta, from a recipe reportedly given to Salvatore Averna by Benedictine monks at a local abbey. It’s made from dozens of herbs, roots, and citrus, sweetened with caramel, and its cola-and-licorice notes are exactly what make this spritz taste the way it does.
Infused vodka. Infusing vodka with candy, fruit, or herbs is one of the simplest ways to build a custom cocktail ingredient at home: the vodka’s neutral flavor takes on whatever you steep in it, with no cooking required, just time.
Tips for Making This Cocktail
Use a full 2 cups of vodka for the infusion. This makes enough infused vodka for several cocktails, not just one, so plan on making a batch of drinks or storing the extra.
Strain the gum out before serving. The vodka should be strained through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth before you use it in the shaker, so no gum residue ends up in the glass.
Shake, then strain over fresh ice. Shake the infused vodka and Averna with ice, strain into a stemmed wine glass filled with fresh ice, and top with club soda so it stays bubbly.
Looking for more? Try our Cranberry Kombucha Apple Cider Rum Punch and Halloween Candy Bark for more ways to use leftover Halloween candy, see all the Halloween Cocktails Perfect for Spooky Season, and browse TABLE’s Cocktails.
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Faux-Ca Cola Spritz
- Total Time: 2 days for infusing, 5 min to prepare
- Yield: 1 cocktail (infused vodka makes enough for several) 1x
Description
Bubble gum-infused vodka and bittersweet Averna, topped with club soda, for a spritz that tastes uncannily like cola. Serve in a stemmed wine glass.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bubble gum-infused vodka
- .75 oz Averna
- Club soda to top off
- Ice, for shaking and serving
Instructions
- Infuse the vodka with bubble gum for at least two days.
- Strain the gum out of the vodka with a mesh strainer.
- Add ice, infused vodka, and Averna to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake and strain into a stemmed wine glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes to build the cocktail, plus 48 hours to 7 days to infuse the vodka
- Category: Cocktail, drink
- Method: Shaken, infused
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: About 150
Faux-Ca Cola Spritz FAQs
How long does the vodka need to infuse?
At least 48 hours, and up to 7 days if you want a stronger bubble gum flavor.
Do I need special bubble gum for this?
The recipe uses Double Bubble, but any bubble gum you like should work for the infusion.
What does Averna taste like?
Averna is a bittersweet Italian amaro with notes of orange, herbs, and licorice, which is what gives this cocktail its cola-like flavor when combined with the sweet infused vodka.
About the Recipe Author
Justin Matase is Publisher and Co-Owner of TABLE Magazine, which he acquired with Editor in Chief Keith Recker in 2020. He previously spent years as Associate Publisher of Pittsburgh City Paper, leading its digital-first transformation. He serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, and as vice chair of the University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt News advisory board. Contact: justin@tablemagazine.com.
About the Stylist and Photographer
Keith Recker is Editor in Chief and Co-Owner of TABLE Magazine. A color and trend forecaster for nearly 20 years, his clients have included Pantone, WGSN, Stylus, and the Color Association of the United States. He is the author of three books on color, including Deep Color: The Shades That Shape Our Souls and True Colors: World Masters of Natural Dyes and Pigments, and co-founder of the Open Source Colour Association. Read more of his work here or contact him at keith@tablemagazine.com. Keith revised and expanded this article for TABLE’s Halloween 2026 coverage.
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