Get ready for another fun and vibrant boozy cocktail inspired by popular fruity candies! This pink Starburst drink is made from dissolving Starburst fruity candy in vodka or rum. Then the Starburst flavored liquor is added to a tall cocktail glass packed with ice, fruit juice, and soda.
It’s a fantastic party drink to make ahead of time since you need to give the candied alcohol about a day for mixing. This means that you only need a total time of 10 minutes and a few simple ingredients to assemble these festive-looking alcoholic drinks for your guests to enjoy and rave about! Perfect for girls night or happy hour!
And if you’re looking for another fruit candy-inspired drink, make sure to try my Jolly Rancher Cocktail recipe!
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What Is A Pink Starburst Drink?
A Starburst cocktail gets its name from the fruity Starburst candies! Much like my Jolly Rancher Cocktail, to make a pink Starburst cocktail you simply dissolve the candies in alcohol (in this case, either vodka or rum) in a mason jar and then assemble your cocktails with the remaining liquid ingredients and ice to enjoy a fruity, candy-inspired alcoholic beverage!
Choose your favorite Starburst flavor or the color you like when making your Starburst cocktail. There’s a wide range of fruity chew flavors to choose from such as the pretty pink strawberry Starburst candies! The drink WILL take on the flavor of the candy that you choose.
🍬 Ingredients:
- Starburst candies – use the flavor that you like best! Your drink will taste like the Starburst – you can combine flavors or leave out a particular flavor you don’t care for. You can always make a different color drink using non-pink Starburst candies.
- strawberry-kiwi fruit juice – This type of juice has a pink hue and the flavor is also quite light – it cuts the alcohol, but still allows the Starburst flavor to shine through.
- orange juice – A splash of orange juice balances the flavors nicely, it can be omitted, if you wish.
- vodka or rum – Use a high quality liquor so that the Starburst flavor is the focus.
- lemon-lime soda – the bubbles and sweetness work nicely with the candy flavor. Substitute club soda or sparkling water for less sweetness.
For a full list of ingredients and their measurements, 📋 please view my printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Optional Garnish:
- Starburst Candies: We love garnishing our starburst cocktails with a pile of candy – you can serve them alongside or on a toothpick.
- Citrus Zest: Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon or lime zest. A simple lemon or lime wheel is a great option, too.
- Fresh Berries: Place a skewer or toothpick with fresh raspberries, strawberries, or even a slice of watermelon on the rim. The vibrant colors and fruity flavors will complement the Pink Starburst theme.
- Edible Flowers: Delicate edible flowers like rose petals or hibiscus flowers can add an elegant touch to the drink. Make sure they’re safe for consumption.
- Pink Sugar Rim: Dip the rim of the glass in pink-colored sugar for a pop of color and a hint of sweetness to each sip.
- Cotton Candy: If you’re looking for a whimsical touch, you could place a small tuft of cotton candy on top of the drink. As it dissolves, it will infuse the drink with its sweetness.
- Pink Umbrella or Stirrer: A pink cocktail umbrella or a decorative stirrer can add a fun and tropical vibe to your drink.
Substitutions and Variations
You’ll actually be amazed by what you can do with your candied alcohol! Use it as a base for making these great alcoholic beverages:
- For a Starburst Slushie: Add crushed ice to your drinking glass instead of ice cubes and pour the candied alcohol with juice and soda over the ice. Serve individual slushies with a striped straw. This is a great summer party idea for the adults while the kids get to enjoy the non-alcoholic version.
- Alcohol Substitutions: If you’re using watermelon Starburst, you can add a splash of watermelon schnapps or watermelon pucker and a slice of fresh fruit for a perfect cocktail. Vanilla vodka or another flavored vodka can be used with any flavor candy.
- For Starburst Punch: Multiply your ingredient quantities and serve it in a punch bowl or pitcher instead of individual drinking glasses. Another great idea for a party.
- For Starburst Jello Shots: Use Starburst gelatin (aff) mixed with boiling water until dissolved and then add in ½ cup vodka/rum and ½ cup cold water. Pour into plastic shot glasses and chill overnight or for at least 4 hours.
🔪 Instructions:
PREP: The pink Starburst candy need some time to dissolve in the alcohol. Proceed with Step 1 at least a day before you’ll be making your cocktails.
Step 1: Place about 8 pink Starburst candies into a jar or container with a lid. Pour 8 ounces of vodka/rum over the Starburst and cover the container with an airtight lid. Allow candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture.
Step 2: When ready to make the cocktails, fill glasses with ice. Pour 2 ounces of the candy alcohol into each glass.
Step 3: Pour 2 ounces of orange juice and 2 ounces of strawberry-kiwi juice to the glass. Top with lemon-lime soda.
Step 4: For a more vibrant pink color, add just a drop of red food coloring. Give it a good stir (or mix together ingredients in a cocktail shaker.)
Pro Tip: For a more vibrant pink, add a bit of red food coloring. I know some people are sensitive to food coloring, especially red food coloring, so use a natural dye if you’d like or just omit altogether!
Step 6: Garnish your starburst alcohol drink with a cocktail pick lined with whole Starburst candies.
Tips For Making This Starburst Alcohol Drink
- I have tried various pink juice combinations for the best tasting Starburst cocktail and Strawberry Kiwi was definitely a favorite since it allows the flavor of the candies to come through better than when using other juices.
- If you don’t enjoy orange juice then you can leave it out although I think it does add a little extra flavor to the drink recipe.
- While the various ingredients listed will result in a pretty pink cocktail, I do suggest that you also add the food coloring like I did since it makes the color vibrant!
- If you have a particular Starburst fruit candy preference then by all means dissolve only that flavor in the alcohol such as the strawberry flavor or the watermelon.
- It’s a cute idea to serve a few Starburst candies on the side or you could add one of two on cocktail skewers (aff) as garnish!
- If you choose to use rum, I suggest using light rum since it’s less likely to impact on the overall color of your cocktail.
Recipe FAQs
The candied alcohol of vodka or rum mixed with the Starburst candies can be stored in an airtight glass jar or container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
When you’re ready to serve your cocktails, simply add the ice, candied alcohol, juice, and soda.
I wouldn’t suggest trying to freeze your candied alcohol as a storage method if you use vodka. For one, vodka doesn’t freeze solid in most freezers due to its very low freezing point. In addition, storing vodka in the freezer can potentially mask the alcohol’s subtle flavors, depending on what you’re using.
If you use rum for the candied alcohol mixture and want to store this in the freezer then you could do so by freezing it in an ice tray or in a freezer-safe jar or container for up to 6 months.
Yes, of course! Whether you want to make a kid-friendly version or you’re catering for adults that don’t drink, it’s as simple as omitting the vodka/rum from the ingredients.
Instead of dissolving the fruit candies with the alcohol, use boiling water to dissolve the Starburst. Cool the solution completely. Then assemble your non-alcoholic Starburst drink according to my recipe directions but without the vodka/rum, of course!
More Boozy Beverages You’ll Love
If you tried this Pink Starburst Drink or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below.
Pink Starburst Drink
Ingredients
- 8 ounces vodka or clear rum
- 8 pink Starburst candy plus more for garnish
- 8 ounces orange juice
- 8 ounces strawberry-kiwi juice or punch
- 8-12 ounces lemon-lime soda
- red food coloring optional
Instructions
- Place approximately 8 pink Starburst candies into a jar or container with a lid. Pour 8 ounces of vodka/rum over the Starburst and cover the container with an airtight lid. Allow candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture.
- When ready to make the cocktails, fill glasses with ice.
- Add two ounces of candy alcohol to each glass.
- Pour 2 ounces of orange juice and 2 ounces of strawberry-kiwi juice to the glass. Top with lemon-lime soda.
- For a more vibrant pink color, add just a drop of red food coloring and stir into the drink.
- Serve with a side of pink Starburst candies.
Notes
-
- I have tried various pink juice combinations for the best tasting Starburst cocktail and Strawberry Kiwi was definitely a favorite since it allows the flavor of the candies to come through better than when using other juices.
- If you don’t enjoy orange juice then you can leave it out although I think it does add a little extra flavor to the drink.
- While the various ingredients listed will result in a pretty pink cocktail, I do suggest that you also add the food coloring like I did since it makes the color vibrant! The orange juice can otherwise give the drink more of an orange hue.
- If you have a particular Starburst fruit candy preference then dissolve only that flavor in the alcohol such as the strawberry flavor or the watermelon.
- It’s a cute idea to serve a few Starburst candies on the side or you could add one of two on cocktail skewers (aff) as garnish!
- If you choose to use rum, I suggest using light rum since it’s less likely to impact on the overall color of your cocktail.
Nutrition
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