The glitter ball cocktail (sometimes just called the glitterball) is a fun and festive drink that adds a little extra to your regular champagne, making it perfect for New Year’s! I also love that the recipe is highly customizable, so you can tweak it to your liking!
What is a Glitterball Cocktail?
A glitter ball cocktail is a dazzling, festive drink that incorporates edible glitter to create a sparkling, eye-catching presentation!
Typically served during celebrations like New Year’s Eve, it combines a base spirit—often vodka or gin—with citrus flavors and champagne or prosecco. After all, champagne is the most consumed drink on New Year’s Eve!
The drink’s unique feature is a sphere-shaped ice cube tossed with edible glitter so that you can create a fun and fizzy “ball drop” in the drink that adds both flavor and a sparkling appearance.
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Ingredients Needed
- ½ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur (optional)
- 4 ounces chilled champagne or prosecco
- Water
- ½ tsp food grade gold luster dust
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use any flavor of vodka you like, and you can also substitute another clear liquor if preferred. Gin is the next most common choice, but you can use your favorite
- The elderflower liqueur is optional, but adds a soft gold color and a lightly floral flavor profile that pairs well with the citrus notes. You can also use other light-colored flavored liqueurs if you like
- Champagne is less sweet than prosecco, so choose based on your personal preferences for sweetness in the drink
- Do not substitute orange juice for the orange liqueur. I can’t tell you why, but the chemical reaction does not work the same, so you won’t get the fun fizz! However, you can use other flavors of liqueur to create your own flavor combo
Equipment Notes
While you could really make any type of glitter ice cubes for this drink, I think the round ball-shaped ice cubes are what sells the New Year’s Eve ball drop theme!
I use 0.8” diameter sphere ice cube molds, but you can use anything similar (just make sure it will fit in your champagne flute)!
Just fill the molds with water (add a little extra glitter if you want for a fancy look), press the top on and make sure to get all the air out. To unmold, you can twist to pop them out (I had a few stubborn ones that I picked out by hand).
Step By Step Instructions
- Make your ice spheres by filling the mold and placing it into the freezer for at least 4 hours (overnight is usually easier). You can add a little extra glitter to the water for the molds if you want them to look fancier, but it’s not necessary (they melt quickly). Note that the time it takes to fully freeze varies based on the size of your spheres, so adjust as needed
- To the bottom of a champagne flute, add the vodka, triple sec, and elderflower liqueur (if using) and stir gently to combine
- Top with champagne or prosecco, leaving about ½” to ¾” of head space at the top. Pour slowly so as to not overflow the glass
- Add the gold luster dust to a small bowl. Remove a frozen ice sphere, then roll it gently in the luster dust to coat
- Drop it into your drink and watch the glittery magic! Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
How to Use Glitter in Cocktails?
The most common way to use glitter in cocktails is to either mix it in with the liquors, or add a small pinch of edible glitter directly into the drink and stir gently to disperse it evenly. By rolling the ice into the pinch of glitter here, it makes for a fun and festive distribution system!
Choose a glitter that compliments the color of the other ingredients in the cocktail. Always use edible glitter that is safe for consumption and specifically labeled for food use.
Can You Use Edible Luster Dust in Drinks?
Yes, edible luster dust is a fantastic option for adding shimmer to drinks. Mix a small amount directly into the liquid, or roll an ice ball in it before dropping it in the drink for a fizzy effect.
It creates a swirling, pearlescent effect, especially in clear or light-colored beverages. Ensure the luster dust is marked as food safe and edible.
How Do You Make a Cocktail Ball?
A cocktail ball typically refers to a spherical ice mold filled with cocktail ingredients or decorative elements. To make one, pour your water into a silicone sphere mold, leaving a little space for expansion.
Freeze it until solid, then place the ice ball in a glass and pour additional cocktail liquid over it. For a festive touch, you can include edible glitter or small garnishes like herbs or fruit slices inside the ice ball.
Will Any Edible Glitter Work for Drinks?
Not all edible glitter is suitable for drinks; it’s important to use glitter specifically designed for beverages. Look for food-grade, soluble glitters or shimmer powders that are safe to ingest and dissolve easily in liquids.
Avoid craft glitters or non-edible decorations, as these are not safe for consumption. Beverage-specific glitters ensure the best visual effect without altering the taste or texture of the cocktail.
Tips For the Best Glitter Ball Cocktail
- The ice balls will melt quickly, so it’s best to drop them in and consume the drink immediately (perfect for New Year’s Eve)!
- Once the glitter has melted into the drink, it will fall to the bottom of the glass naturally. Just give it a quick stir to make it sparkle again!
- Dropping more glitter balls into the cocktail won’t produce the same fizzy effect as the initial one – the chemical reaction has already occurred. Feel free to add extra glitter by stirring it in if you want a more glittery look!
Serving and Presentation Tips
- I find it’s easiest to freeze the ice balls a day or two in advance for easy preparation. You can’t make the drink itself ahead of time due to the carbonation, but if the ice is ready to go it takes minutes to throw together!
Final Thoughts
This glitter ball cocktail is the perfect way to say cheers to the new year! It’s still a classic champagne drink, but with a little added sparkle to impress your guests and make your evening just a little brighter.
Sip on this fun cocktail for New Year’s Eve, or you can also serve it at other events where glittery bubbly fits in, like a bridal shower!
You could also change up the color of the added liqueur and glitter to suit other occasions, making this a fun drink to enjoy anytime!
Easy Glitter Ball Cocktail With Vodka
Equipment
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- ½ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St Germain (optional)
- 4 ounces chilled champagne or prosecco (or adjust based on size of glass)
- Water
- ½ tsp food grade gold luster dust
Instructions
- Make your ice spheres by filling the mold and placing it into the freezer for at least 4 hours (overnight is usually easier). You can add a little extra glitter to the water for the molds if you want them to look fancier, but it’s not necessary (they melt quickly). Note that the time it takes to fully freeze varies based on the size of your spheres, so adjust as neededWater
- To the bottom of a champagne flute, add the vodka, triple sec, and elderflower liqueur (if using) and stir gently to combine½ ounce vodka, ½ ounce triple sec, ½ ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St Germain
- Top with champagne or prosecco, leaving about ½” to ¾” of head space at the top. Pour slowly so as to not overflow the glass4 ounces chilled champagne or prosecco
- Add the gold luster dust to a small bowl. Remove a frozen ice sphere, then roll it gently in the luster dust to coat½ tsp food grade gold luster dust
- Drop it into your drink and watch the glittery magic! Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use any flavor of vodka you like, or substitute another clear liquor, such as gin, if preferred
- The elderflower liqueur is optional, but adds a soft gold color and a lightly floral flavor profile that pairs well with the citrus notes
- Champagne is less sweet than prosecco, so choose based on your personal preferences for sweetness in the drink
- Do not substitute orange juice for the orange liqueur. I can’t tell you why, but the chemical reaction does not work the same, so you won’t get the fun fizz! However, you can use other flavors of liqueur to create your own flavor combo
- The ice balls will melt quickly, so it’s best to drop them in and consume the drink immediately (perfect for New Year’s Eve)!
- Once the glitter has melted into the drink, it will fall to the bottom of the glass naturally. Just give it a quick stir to make it sparkle again!
- Dropping more glitter balls into the cocktail won’t produce the same fizzy effect as the initial one – the chemical reaction has already occurred. Feel free to add extra glitter by stirring it in if you want a more glittery look!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any additions or swaps, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
