Barbie Vodka Cotton Candy Cocktail with Glitter Bomb

Come on Barbie, let’s go party! Looking for a pink Barbie drink that’s sweet, sparkly and super easy? You need this cotton candy vodka cocktail! Complete with a cotton candy glitter bomb, it’s guaranteed to get your tastebuds dancing at your next girls’ night, baby shower or bachelorette party.

Cargo pants are in, scrunchies are now a vibe and “the Rachel” haircut is trending on TikTok. Whether you loved them or loathed them, the nineties are making quite the comeback! And nothing screams the nineties more than Barbie. I, for one, cannot wait for the new Barbie movie this Summer (Watch the Trailer Here!)

From the pastel pink set to fabulous fashion and, of course, Ryan Gosling, it’s the perfect excuse for a girls’ night. And what girls’ night would be complete without the perfect cocktail recipes? Whether you can’t resist some nineties nostalgia or you’re simply passionate about all things pink, this Barbie fluffy cotton candy cocktail will not disappoint.

Best of all, this classy cocktail tastes as good as it looks. At its base is whipped cream vodka. For those not familiar, this tasty little tipple is simply vodka infused with sweet vanilla whipped cream. It doesn’t contain any actual dairy, but that heavenly vanilla flavor is perfect for this Barbie drink.

To balance the sweet vanilla vodka, I’ve added ginger ale. It not only brings the bubbles but also subtle spiciness. Not forgetting the pièce de resistance, the cotton candy glitter bomb. Made using just two ingredients – pink luster dust and cotton candy, these beautiful balls of sparkle and sweetness turn your drink from ordinary to over the top. I love an interactive element with a cocktail, so serve them alongside for your guests to pop in and give this drink a swirl of shimmer.

The final touch is a tuft of cotton candy because you can never have too much pink. While I know these will go down a storm at your next girls’ night, bachelorette party or bridal shower, I’ve also included some mocktail options for baby showers or kids’ parties. So grab your gals (or your Ken) and a few champagne flutes, and let’s cheers to the never-ending nineties.

WHY WE LOVE THIS BARBIE COTTON CANDY COCKTAIL

• It’s a fun cocktail– While I love a sophisticated drink like my empress gin cocktail or spicy mango margarita, this Barbie drink is playful, pure joy that is guaranteed to get your girlies giggling.
• Tastes as good as it looks – While I’m all for nailing the Barbie aesthetic, I wanted this cotton candy cocktail to bring the flavor as well as the fun. That’s why I made sure it includes sugar, spice and all things nice. Just like Barbie herself! I can just see her sipping on this cotton candy martini next to her pool! 
• Quick and easy – From wardrobe dilemmas to make-up mayhem, getting ready for girls’ night can be total chaos. That’s why I wanted a drama-free cocktail that’s easy, quick, yet impressive. The ingredients are all easily sourced too, but I’ve included simple swaps to save time at the store if you’re struggling.

INGREDIENTS/SHOPPING LIST 

Cotton Candy Glitter Bomb 

- ½ oz Pink Real Cotton Candy 

- ¼ teaspoon EDIBLE Pink Luster Dust 

Cotton Candy Cocktail 

- 2 oz Whipped Cream Vodka 

- 6 oz Ginger ale 

- Cotton Candy Glitter Bomb 

- Garnish with ½ oz extra cotton candy

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

• Vodka: Whipped cream vodka brings sweet notes of vanilla but you could also try it with strawberry-flavored vodka , vanilla-flavored or even unflavored vodka. Alternatively, if you want a creamier cocktail, play around with an Irish cream liqueur like Baileys. For a tropical twist (and Malibu Barbie vibes!) a coconut rum would also work a treat.
• Ginger ale: As the main body of this Barbie drink, ginger ale cuts through any overbearing sweetness and brings spice as well as the bubbles. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, you could switch it out for cream soda, pink lemonade or Sprite. I’d avoid using sparkling water or club Soda while they offer a refreshing fizz; they’re essentially flavorless.
• Mocktails: For an alcohol-free version, simply skip the vodka. The cotton candy glitter bomb can be popped into any carbonated drink, such as ginger ale or lemonade.
• Cotton Candy: Cotton candy can come in a whole rainbow of colors, so don’t feel you need to stick to pink. A contrasting color like blue or white can add the perfect pop on top, but they may affect the drink color differently when mixed with ginger ale.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE 

• Jigger Cup (cocktail shaker)
• Stemless Champagne Flute 
• Pink Paper Straw 
• Pink Cocktail Pick

HOW TO MAKE THIS COTTON CANDY COCKTAIL RECIPE

This cotton candy cocktail is as fun to make as it is to drink. There are two elements – the cotton candy glitter bomb and the drink itself. Combined, they create a pretty pink potion perfect for Bachelorette parties, baby showers, or your next girls’ night.

Cotton Candy Glitter Bomb 

1. Take ½ oz (or a palm-sized amount) of cotton candy and spread the fibers until it lays flat. PRO TIP: Make sure your hands are clean and dry when handling cotton candy, as it dissolves easily.

2. Place Pink Luster Dust in the center and wrap edges around to form a ball.

3. Apply even pressure and roll the ball in your hands until packed tightly, and approx. 1-2 inches in size. 

4. Store in a cool dry place until ready to use. PRO TIP: A dry storage spot is vital. If these cotton candy glitter bombs are exposed to moisture, they will melt.

Cotton Candy Cocktail 

1. Start by adding 2 oz of Vodka to your champagne flute. 

2. Add 6 oz of ginger ale (or fill until 2 inches away from the top of the glass). PRO TIP:  It's important that there is empty space at the top of your champagne flute for your Cotton Candy garnish to sit.

3. Drop the Cotton Candy Glitter Bomb into the flute. Once the carbonation has dissipated, stir with a straw to distribute the pigment and shimmer.  PRO TIP: You can do this step or serve it separately for your guests to have fun with.

4. Garnish with another tuft of Cotton Candy on a cocktail pick. PRO TIP: The cocktail pick is important to keep your cotton candy out of the cocktail. It will dissolve immediately when coming into contact with liquid, so keep it propped on top – at least until all those Insta photos are done!

5. For best results, sip while blasting Aqua – Barbie Girl on repeat. Come on, Barbie, let's go party!

COTTON CANDY COCKTAIL MAKING TIPS 

• Pink Luster Dust: Luster dust is an edible iridescent pigment. It’s tasteless but is used in food and drink to provide a pretty shimmer. It’s important to use only food-grade luster dust. Obviously, don’t use ordinary glitter, and I’d avoid edible glitter too, as it is a little too chunky and won’t bring the same smooth, shimmery results.
• Cotton candy glitter ball: Make sure to form the ball smaller than your champagne flute opening. You don’t want your cotton candy glitter bomb too big to fit, as that’s a recipe for a sticky mess.
• Clean and Dry: On the topic of sticky, when working with cotton candy, moisture is the enemy. Make sure your fingers are super dry and also that the rim of your glass is too. You may need to wipe it after pouring in the cocktail before adding the garnish.
• Cocktail pick: Topping with an additional tuft of cotton candy is a playful way to serve the drink. Just make sure to place a cocktail pick through the garnish so it doesn’t fall into the drink.
• Not pink enough: If you find your Barbie drink is not pink enough, add a splash of strawberry simple syrup. Note that this may affect the flavor of your cocktail, so use sparingly.
• Serve the opposite way: For a playful way to serve, you could make a pitcher of ginger ale and vodka, then serve the champagne flutes with the cotton candy glitter balls in the bottom. Pour the cocktail over the cotton candy in front of your guests for them to witness the explosion of fizz and shimmer.

STORAGE TIPS 

• You can make the cotton candy glitter bombs ahead of time but they are quite tricky to store as the slightest exposure to moisture or heat, and they’ll melt. If you are making them ahead, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
• While you could also make the vodka and ginger ale mix ahead of time too, it may lose its fizz. It’s so quick and easy that I’d recommend making it just before serving for best, bubbly results.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you make this barbie drink non-alcoholic?

Absolutely! Skip the vodka and you’ll immediately have a kid-friendly cotton candy mocktail. The cotton candy glitter bombs can be popped into any carbonated drink, so play around with combinations. Try strawberry simple syrup, lemon juice and sparkling water or swap the ginger ale for Sprite, strawberry soda, or pink lemonade.

What type of glass is best for this cotton candy cocktail?

There’s actually a little science behind the type of glass you choose for your cocktail. For this Barbie drink I’ve chosen a champagne flute for specific reasons noted below. However, if you don’t have them to hand there are a few options:

• Champagne flute: A Champagne flute is designed to keep the bubbles alive. Too much surface area allows carbonation to fizzle out quickly. The tall and narrow shape is also great for showing off the swirl of sparkle. While the narrow opening also makes it easier for the cotton candy to sit on top.
• Martini Glass: I don’t know why but I picture Barbie using a martini glass, I find them more glamorous and sophisticated than all other cocktail glasses. The sloping sides help to prevent ingredients from separating and also serve to support a toothpick. This means that with a bit of balancing, it could work well for this cotton candy cocktail. My only niggle with a martini glass is its tendency to spill drinks, so use it with caution, as no one wants a pink cocktail on their new dress.
• Highball and Collins Glass: A Collins glass is often used interchangeably with a Highball glass, however, there are a few slight differences. A Highball is a slim, chimney-shaped glass, while a Collins glass is taller and narrower with a slightly larger capacity at 10 to 14 ounces. These styles of glasses are great for showcasing the shimmer from the cotton candy glitter ball, but you’ll need to adjust the measurements to ensure a full glass.  

What to serve with this cotton candy cocktail?

Looking for more Girls’ night treats? I’ve got you. What goes better than Barbie and Ken? Cocktails and….cake! My pink champagne cupcakes or Kir Royal Cupcakes  are the perfect sweet sidekicks to this Barbie drink. Alternatively, if you’re after some savory snacks for your Barbie movie night, why not try my Rosemary Garlic Chex Mix or a family favorite peanut butter popcorn trail mix.

MORE DRINK RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY

• Corona Cocktail 
• Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Blueberry Mojito