If you want to rim the glass in sanding sugar, lightly brush a little simple syrup around the rim of your glass. Place sanding sugar on a small plate, hold glass upside-down, and roll rim of glass in sugar to coat.
Pour vodka and simple syrup into an ice-filled shaker and shake well.*
Pour into ice-filled glass and top with soda water.
Skewer pieces of bubblegum on metal cocktail skewers or small toothpicks. Add to glass.