When it comes to party drinks, I always look for something with a little twist. The Creepy Crawly Cooler Cocktail nails that vibe—spooky, playful, and honestly, it tastes pretty great.
This recipe blends tasty flavors with gummy “creepy crawlers” for a drink that’s colorful and just weird enough to get people talking. It’s one of those drinks that feels made for photos, but it actually delivers on flavor too.
I swear, tossing in a few gummy worms gives this cocktail a totally cool, slightly gross look. If you’re trying to make your next party or Halloween get-together a little more memorable, this is the drink to try.
Let’s get into what you’ll need to make your own Creepy Crawly Cooler at home.
Creepy Crawly Cooler Cocktail Recipe
I love making this one for Halloween parties. The bright blue color, fruity flavor, and those ridiculous gummy worms really make it pop on the table.
I stick to simple tools and ingredients so anyone can pull this off at home.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: For mixing everything together.
- Measuring jigger or shot glass: So I don’t overdo it (or, you know, underdo it).
- Tall glass: Clear is best—gotta show off those colors and worms.
- Spoon or drink stirrer: Swirling the layers makes it look extra cool.
- Strainer (if needed): Sometimes I use it if my juice is pulpy or I’ve got too much ice.
- Ice cubes: Fresh is always better.
- Optional: Plastic spiders or silly stirrers for more decoration.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz vodka: The main spirit here.
- 2 oz orange juice: I usually go for fresh juice—it just tastes better.
- 1 oz blue curaçao: For color and a hint of orange.
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda: Adds fizz and sweetness.
- 1 oz lemonade: For a tart, fruity kick.
- Gummy worms (3-5): The star garnish.
- Ice cubes: To chill the drink.
- Optional: Plastic spiders or Halloween sprinkles—just for looks.
Instructions
- Toss ice cubes in the shaker until it’s about halfway full.
- Add vodka, orange juice, blue curaçao, and lemonade.
- Close it up and shake hard for around 15 seconds.
- Fill a tall glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Top it off with lemon-lime soda—pour slow so it doesn’t bubble over.
- Give it a gentle stir, just once or twice.
- Hang gummy worms over the rim and drop one inside for good measure.
- Stick a plastic spider on the edge if you want, but obviously, don’t let anyone eat it.
- Serve right away—this drink looks and tastes best fresh.
Notes
I always grab a clear glass so everyone can see the wild blue color and those floating worms. For parties with kids, I skip the vodka and blue curaçao and swap in sports drinks or colored soda.
Sometimes the gummy worms sink, so I like to hook a few on the rim. It just looks better.
If I want it on the sweeter side, I’ll splash in extra lemonade or soda. Freezing gummy worms inside ice cubes ahead of time is a fun trick if you’re feeling fancy.
Plastic spiders are just for show—remind your guests not to eat them. Adjust the booze to fit your crowd.
Equipment
- Measuring jigger or shot glass
- Spoon or drink stirrer
- Strainer (optional)
- Optional: plastic spiders or Halloween decorations
Ingredients
- 1½ oz vodka
- 2 oz orange juice
- 1 oz blue curaçao
- 1 oz lemonade
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda
- 3 –5 gummy worms
- Ice cubes
- Optional garnish: plastic spider Halloween sprinkles
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Shake well for about 15 seconds.
- Fill a tall clear glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Top with lemon-lime soda.
- Stir gently once or twice to blend.
- Garnish with gummy worms—hang a few over the rim and drop one inside.
- Add a plastic spider to the rim if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tasting Notes
First sip, and there’s a sweet, citrusy burst—orange and lemon, super fresh. It’s kind of like a grown-up fruit punch, honestly.
The fizz from the soda makes it feel light and a little playful. I like how the bubbles keep it from getting too heavy.
Chewy gummy worms start to melt a bit, which is weirdly fun. I usually snack on them between sips.
Here’s what I taste, roughly:
- Orange and lemon: sweet and tangy
- Berry: barely there, from the gummy worms
- Fizzy soda: keeps it lively
It’s cold, crisp, and not overly sweet. There’s just enough tartness to balance things out.
If you’re into fruit punch or lemonade, this one’s an easy crowd-pleaser. For me, it’s not too strong and goes down easy, so it’s a solid pick for parties.
Must Have Ingredients
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Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Substitute
Sometimes, I just don’t have all the original ingredients for the Creepy Crawly Cooler. That’s honestly fine!
Here’s how I usually swap things out when I need to improvise:
Possible Ingredient Substitutes
- Gummy worms: If I’m out, I’ll grab gummy bears, licorice twists, or even jelly beans.
- Lime soda: Lemon-lime soda does the trick, or sometimes I’ll just use plain lemon soda.
- Grenadine: I’ll reach for cherry juice or maybe a splash of cranberry juice—it gives a similar color and vibe.
- Fruit punch: Berry punch works, or orange juice if that’s what’s in the fridge.
Equipment Substitutes
- Cocktail shaker: No shaker? I just use a clean mason jar with a tight lid.
- Cocktail glass: Plastic cups, coffee mugs… honestly, whatever’s handy.
- Strainer: I’ve found a small kitchen sieve gets the job done if there’s no cocktail strainer around.
Instructions Adjustments
- No ice? I just chill everything in the fridge before mixing and hope for the best.
- Thicker juices? I end up shaking longer, just to make sure it all comes together.
- If I’m using a plastic cup instead of a cocktail glass, I’ll still toss in the gummy worms for that fun touch.
Swapping things out like this keeps it easy, and honestly, I still get to enjoy the drink even if I’m missing a few things.


























