How to Make Rummy Bears and Other Drunken Gummies

Do you remember hearing last year about the kids getting drunk in class on vodka-soaked Gummi Bears? It was a real problem in some schools, especially in parts of California where bear-boozled kids were sent home.

We're not endorsing this illicit activity; kids, stay in school. But if you're of age, want to eat Gummi Bears and drink alcohol at the same time, then keep reading. Bring these to a party and you'll be everyone's hero.

The technique is really simple:

• Empty a bag of Gummi Bears into a jar or bowl or some other vessel. And they need not even be bears! Really any member of the Gummi Animal Kingdom will do (we also tested Trader Joe's Gummy Tummy Penguins).
• Time to select your booze. You could go in many, many directions here. Rum was an obvious choice because, c'mon, Rummy Bears were too good to deny. Let your bar shelf inspire you: try gin, tequila, vodka, Campari, whiskey...
• Pour enough liquid over the gummies to completely immerse and cover them, with a little liquid peeking out on top.
• How long should they infuse? Many sources suggest three to four days in the fridge. We left them sitting out on the countertop and after a few hours, their little bear bellies swelled up and they already tasted pretty boozy. Between five to eight hours was the sweet spot for us to achieve the best squish. The bears will lose their firm chew and take on a texture of jiggly Jell-O. They should still be pleasantly squishy, not liquefied. Over-infuse them and they'll just become a gelatinous mess of bear ooze.

Aw, how cute, boozy bears! Yes and no. As adorably innocuous as these guys look, be forewarned: they are strong. You will start feeling all giddy after a few, and eventually, they make you go a little crazy. I took these to my friend's birthday party and we all slurped them back like birthday shots. They're not quite a shot's worth each, but almost feel stronger with the sugar factor compounded by the alcohol.

Rummy Bears were just the beginning. We also mixed up Negroni Bears, Old Fashioned Bears, Aviation Bears (can't you just picture them in little aviator goggles and bomber hats with earflaps?), and more.

See all the drunken bears in the slideshow »

Rummy Bears »
Negroni Bears »
Aviation Bears »
Old-Fashioned Penguins »
Hot Teddy »
Bear Appletinis »
Bellini Bears »
Sangria Bears »
Tequila Straw-Bearries »
Pisco Bears »