Bubblegum Breeze Drink: A Sweet Nostalgic Treat!

What Is This Magical Concoction?

Okay, so I stumbled across this Bubblegum Breeze drink recipe last summer when I was trying to create something fun for my niece’s birthday party, and it was such a massive hit that I’ve been making it for basically every gathering since! It’s this gorgeous blue drink that tastes EXACTLY like those bubblegum balls we all used to get from gumball machines as kids.

This sweet, creamy drink brings all the nostalgia of childhood bubblegum flavor but in a refreshing, sippable form. The kids go absolutely nuts for it (obviously), but here’s the thing – the adults always end up loving it just as much! I’ve even created an “adult version” that’s become my signature cocktail for summer parties.

Why You Need This Drink In Your Life

Let me count the ways this drink is awesome:

• It’s the most eye-catching blue color that practically SCREAMS summer fun
• The flavor is spot-on bubblegum without being sickly sweet
• It’s super easy to make but looks like you spent hours on it
• You can make a big batch for parties ahead of time
• The kids version is perfect for birthdays, pool parties, or just because
• The adult version makes the BEST summer cocktail that everyone asks for
• It’s endlessly customizable with different garnishes and add-ins

The first time I served these at a pool party, I literally couldn’t make them fast enough! Even my brother-in-law who claims to “only drink beer” was sneaking refills when he thought no one was looking!

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What You’ll Need

For the basic Bubblegum Breeze (kid-friendly version):

• 1 cup vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
• 1/2 cup milk (I use whole milk for creaminess, but any kind works)
• 2 tablespoons bubblegum syrup (I use Monin brand, but there are others)
• 1 tablespoon blue curaçao syrup (the NON-alcoholic version! Very important!)
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream for topping
• Sprinkles or actual bubblegum balls for garnish

For the adult party version:

• All of the above EXCEPT swap regular blue curaçao liqueur for the syrup
• Add 1.5 oz vodka (vanilla vodka works amazing here!)

Equipment you’ll need:

• Blender (honestly, this is non-negotiable)
• Fun glasses for serving
• Colorful straws (those wide ones made for smoothies work best)

Some real talk about ingredients:

Finding bubblegum syrup can be tricky in regular grocery stores. I order mine online, but I’ve also spotted it in specialty coffee shops and some party supply stores. If you absolutely can’t find it, there’s a hack: use a tiny bit of vanilla extract and some cotton candy or bubble gum flavoring from the baking section.

The blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic version) gives it that perfect blue color. You could use food coloring instead, but the syrup adds a hint of citrus that actually works really well with the bubblegum flavor.

Let’s Mix This Up!

1. Throw your slightly softened ice cream into the blender. Pro tip: let it sit out for about 5-7 minutes before blending – not so melty that it’s soup, but not rock hard either.
2. Pour in the milk, bubblegum syrup, and blue curaçao syrup.
3. Add the ice cubes. I start with about a cup, but sometimes add more depending on how thick I want it.
4. Blend until smooth! Start on low speed then increase to high. You want everything nicely incorporated with no ice chunks, but don’t overblend or it gets too thin.
5. Pour into fun glasses. I like using clear ones because the color is so pretty, but mason jars work great too. Leave a little room at the top for the whipped cream!
6. Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream. And I mean GENEROUS – don’t be stingy here!
7. Finish with sprinkles, a bubblegum ball, or both if you’re feeling extra!
8. Add a colorful straw and serve immediately!

For the adult version, just add the vodka and blue curaçao liqueur instead of the syrup in step 2. Everything else stays the same!

Some tips from my disasters:

• If it’s too thick to blend properly, add a splash more milk
• If it’s too thin, throw in a few more ice cubes or a bit more ice cream
• Don’t go overboard with the bubblegum syrup – a little goes a long way!
• Make sure everyone knows which pitcher is the “adult version” at parties… learned that one the hard way! 🙈

Serving Ideas That’ll Make You Look Like A Genius

For kids’ parties: I set up a “Bubblegum Breeze Bar” with the base drink in a big pitcher, and then different toppings in small bowls – rainbow sprinkles, fruity cereal, crushed cookies, gummy candies, actual bubblegum balls. The kids go crazy customizing their own drinks!

For pool parties: Freeze some extra Bubblegum Breeze mixture in popsicle molds! They’re incredible on hot days and don’t melt as quickly as regular popsicles.

For grown-up gatherings: Serve the adult version in martini glasses with a rim of crushed bubblegum or cotton candy. People will literally be taking pictures for Instagram before they even taste it.

For special occasions: I’ve made these for gender reveal parties using pink or blue coloring depending on the news! Just adjust the blue curaçao amount or use food coloring instead.

Creative Twists I’ve Tried

After making approximately one zillion Bubblegum Breezes, I’ve experimented with some fun variations:

Cotton Candy Cloud: Substitute cotton candy syrup for half of the bubblegum syrup and top with a tuft of actual cotton candy (add it right before serving or it melts!).

Bubble Berry Blast: Add 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries to the blender for a fruity twist. The pink and blue swirl looks amazing!

Coconut Bubble Paradise: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and add a splash of cream of coconut. Tastes like a tropical vacation!

Bubble Gum Float: Pour a less thick version over a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of blending it all together. Top with whipped cream and a cherry for an old-school ice cream parlor vibe.

Frozen Bubblegum Breeze: Use less milk and more ice cream, freeze in a container, and scoop like ice cream. Kind of like a homemade Baskin Robbins bubble gum ice cream!

How to Store (If There’s Any Left!)

Let’s be real – these usually disappear in minutes! But if you need to make them ahead:

You can blend up the base mixture (everything except the garnishes) and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will separate a bit, so just give it a good stir or quick re-blend before serving.

For parties, I often make a big batch and keep it in a pitcher in the fridge. The color and flavor actually intensify a bit as it sits!

Don’t add the whipped cream and toppings until right before serving or they’ll dissolve into the drink.

The adult version keeps well in the fridge too, but the alcohol might make it less thick, so you might want to add extra ice when re-blending.

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Answering Your Burning Questions

“Help! I can’t find bubblegum syrup anywhere! What can I use instead?” In a pinch, you can use 1-2 teaspoons of bubble gum flavoring/extract (in the baking aisle) plus 2 tablespoons of simple syrup or vanilla syrup. It’s not quite the same, but it’ll do in an emergency!

“Can I make this dairy-free?” Absolutely! I’ve made it with coconut milk ice cream and almond milk for my lactose-intolerant friend, and she said it was amazing. Just make sure your bubblegum syrup is dairy-free too.

“My drink doesn’t look blue enough. What gives?” The blue color comes from the blue curaçao syrup. If you want a more vibrant blue, you can add a tiny drop of blue food coloring, or just increase the blue curaçao a bit.

“Can I use regular ice cream instead of vanilla?” Vanilla works best because it lets the bubblegum flavor shine, but I’ve tried it with cotton candy ice cream and it was pretty incredible too!

“Is this too sweet for adults?” The kid version is definitely sweet, but the adult version with the vodka and blue curaçao liqueur actually balances it out nicely. You can always reduce the bubblegum syrup for a less sweet version.

“How do I scale this up for a big party?” This recipe makes about 2 large or 4 smaller drinks. For a party, I just multiply everything by however many servings I need. You might need to blend in batches depending on your blender size!

“Can I make this without a blender?” Hmm, that’s tough. You really need a blender to get that smooth, creamy texture. In an absolute emergency, you could try using softened ice cream, stirring very vigorously with the milk and syrups, but it won’t be as good.

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