Vodka Gummy Bears Recipe (Quickest Method) (2024)

When you soak gummy bears in vodka, they absorb the alcohol and turn into yummy fruity Vodka Gummy Bears. Since we first published this guide, we’ve found a much quicker, simpler way to make this delicious treat.

So you’ve tried all the co*cktails in15 Candy Drinks that Taste Like Childhood Treats and now you want to make something even more spectacular. Something where the alcohol and the candy are all in one.

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How to make Vodka Gummy Bears

The old method for making Vodka Gummy Bears took days. You had to pour vodka into a bowl of bears, cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator for days – up to a week.

This new method takes less than a day, and the gummy bears get much bigger. It’s so easy, and the bears come out a little more firm and less slimy, too.

This time, we decided to test the method on gummy bears, gummy worms and gummy cola bottles. Because, why not? The more the merrier, right?

Time to complete: 20-24 hours. Your prep time is just 10-15 minutes to put the gummies in bowls. The rest of that time is just letting them soak while you go do something fun.

What You’ll Need

• Vodka
• Gummy bears or gummy worms
• A bowl or casserole dish, glass or ceramic material

I can vouch for the Haribo brand (linked above) because I’ve never had them turn gooey or stay small. They’ve worked well with Svedka, Smirnoff and Absolut.

You don’t need an expensive vodka – something mid-range is fine because you’ll barely taste it anyway. There’s no reason to waste top shelf vodka on this project.

Note: a couple of commenters have reported trouble with “cheap” brands of vodka. I can tell you for sure that Svedka and Smirnoff work, and you can usually get the big 1.75l bottles for around $20.

These are the same brands I’ve used for making Skittles Vodka and Jolly Rancher Vodka, and they have always worked well for me.

Step 1: Put your gummies in bowls

I kept out a dry gummy of each type so I could compare their size to the ones that were soaking. Note: the bowl in the lower right corner has rummy cola gummies, which ended up being so good that they got their own post.

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Step 2: Pour the vodka

Next, pour enough vodka into each bowl to cover the gummies well.

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Step 3: Wait patiently

At this point, you’re done until the vodka has all been soaked up. You can cover the bowls to keep the fruity smell from filling up the room, but you do not need to cover or refrigerate them.

I know, I know – in the earlier version of this tutorial, I said you did. I told you to cover them well and leave them in the fridge for at least five days. But it actually works much faster if you just let them sit out in a bowl.

After about four hours, I fished out a gummy of each type, and put them beside the dry one. They were noticeably bigger, especially the worm, but I thought they could get bigger still.

I ended up letting them soak overnight. The next morning when I got up, about 20 hours had passed since the beginning of the experiment, and I fished out another gummy for comparison.

You can see the difference for yourself. First, the gummy bears – dry, at 4 hours in vodka, and at 20 hours in vodka.

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And now the worms – again, dry, 4 hours and 20 hours. See how much bigger they get after 20 hours?

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How to Serve Drunken Gummy Bears

Once these are done, they get slippery and a little bit slimy. To serve, I recommend you spoon them out onto a flat dish or surface.

As you do so, you’ll find some of them have gotten stuck together.Just wedge your spoon gently in between them and they’ll pop apart.

Offer guests spoons orappetizer forksto stab them. Toothpicks can also work.

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Here are the gummy bears, ready to serve:

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And the gummy worms:

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And here they all are together, served on a table.

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There will be a little bit of “juice” left over at the bottom of the bowl you soaked them in. This can easily be soaked up with a marshmallow or a piece of cake.

Alcohol content or Proof

There’s been a lot of speculation about how much (or little) vodka is in Vodka Gummy Bears, so I weighed them dry and post-soaking. This won’t be exact, but it should be somewhat useful.

Dry, the bears weigh 2 grams and the worms weigh 5 grams. Soaked, the bears gained 2 grams of alcohol and the worms took on 3 grams. Other gummies you use may vary.

In ounces, this means that each bear contains about 0.071 ounces of vodka and each worm contains 0.106 ounces. So to equal a standard drink (1 1/2 ounces), you need about 21 bears or about 14 worms.

Again, that’s not exact. And different brands will probably vary. But I think it’s safe to say these don’t hold some shocking amount of alcohol per gummy.

Still… did you ever eat 21 gummy bears at a sitting? It’s not that hard to do. So keep that in mind as you enjoy.

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I keep getting some questions about these gummy vodka concoctions, so here goes.

Reader Questions Answered

How do they taste?

These taste just like the candies, except with a little of that vodka burn. The vodka really doesn’t do anything to alter the flavor.

What type of vodka should I use for Vodka Gummy Bears?

You can use any vodka you prefer. However, a mid-range vodka usually works best. You don’t need top-shelf vodka for these, but avoid the cheapest options as they can affect the taste negatively.

How long does it take to make Vodka Gummy Bears?

Using this method, it takes about 5 minutes to get it ready and about 24 hours for the soaking. This is a faster and better method than the standard, which takes 3 days.

How do I store my Vodka Gummy Bears?

Once the gummy bears have soaked up the vodka, you can store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to a week.

Can I use other types of alcohol for this recipe?

Yes, you can experiment with other types of alcohol like rum or tequila. We’ve used rum and flavored vodka, and it’s all delicious.

Can vodka gummies get you drunk?

Yes, if you eat enough. We’ve found about about 21 bears or about 14 worms are equivalent to 1 1/2 ounces alcohol, or one standard drink.

Can I use other types of gummies for this recipe?

Absolutely! The process stays the same. We’ve soaked gummy bears, worms, cola bottles and more.

What is the right proportion of vodka to gummies?

A general rule is to just cover the gummies with vodka. Too much vodka can make the gummies too strong and not enjoyable.

Why are my Vodka Gummy Bears slimy?

If the gummy bears are slimy, they might have been soaked for too long or in too much vodka. Next time, try using less vodka or reducing the soaking time.

Can children consume Vodka Gummy Bears?

No, Vodka Gummy Bears contain alcohol and should not be consumed by individuals under the legal drinking age. Please keep these out of reach of kids, since they look just like normal candy.

Won’t the vodka just evaporate?

Short answer: no. Longer answer: the amount of evaporation that takes place over less than 24 hours is negligible. And by that time, the alcohol has soaked into the bears where it’s trapped until you eat them.

Troubleshooting

Some readers have reported their bears turning to mush. We’re not sure why this happens. I originally thought it might have to do with the brands of bears and vodka used, but some people have had trouble despite using the exact brands I used here.

If we ever find a solution that always works, I’ll add it here. In the meantime, ifyou do get mushy bears, you can shake them well, strain the gummies through a coffee filter, and pour them into jello shot cups. Chill them and you get jello shots that are a lot of fun.

This is a great way to turn a bar fail into something delicious that seems like it was on purpose.

Yield: 1 bowl vodka gummy bears

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 hours

Total Time: 20 hours 5 minutes

Gummy bears absorb vodka, swell up, and turn into delicious, soft, juicy alcohol treats! For adults only.

Ingredients

• 1 1.75 liter bottle of vodka
• Gummy Bears

Instructions

1. Put the gummy bears into a bowl.
2. Pour vodka over the bears until they are covered
3. Leave it sitting uncovered for about 20 hours or more

Notes

I used Svedka vodka and Haribo gummy bears. Some people have gotten worse results with different brands, although most of them probably work just fine.

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Serving Vodka Gummy Bears at a Party

Always give guests toothpicks or something similar to grab these up if you’re serving them from one container. It can be a turn-off if you people other guests reaching in with their fingers.

1. Candy Dish: Present your vodka gummies in a traditional candy dish or bowl. This way, guests can easily pick and eat them.

2. Champagne Flutes: For an elegant look, distribute them among several champagne flutes.

3. Skewers: Thread a few bears onto co*cktail skewers and serve them as a fun garnish for co*cktails.

4. Dessert Topping: Sprinkle your gummies over ice cream or other desserts for an adult twist on sweet treats.

5. Party Favors: Package small amounts of them into individual servings using mini plastic containers or fancy bags to give as party favors.

6. Shot Glasses: Fill shot glasses with vodka gummy bears for a fun and unique shooter. Remember to give your co*cktail picks or mini spoons for easy eating.