There are a lot of creepy things you can do for family friendly beverages, and they can
even taste good ; )
Halloween favorites (Swamp Punch, Mulled Cider, and Cranberry Bog) can be made up very quickly, and seemingly, be consumed even faster! Make sure you have extra supplies on hand to make up more batches during the party.
Swamp Punch
Ingredients (warning: this drink is popular! i frequently make 3 batches of this during a party ; )
2 ~ 2 liter bottles ginger ale
*1 liter raspberry soda or juice (optional) (can buy 2 liter and use half at a time)
16 oz. frozen fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or mixture
1/2 gallon sherbet, lime (or rainbow for a muddled look)
MAKE IN ADVANCE frozen molds ~> make the "ice cubes" from creepy food molds
2 ~ 12 oz. cans frozen concentrate, lime and/or lemon
MAKE IN ADVANCE~> any ice/flavored molds!
Choose your ice/flavor molds (e.g. a rinsed latex glove is great for a creepy hand mold, a gelatin mold [brains and hearts are popular right now], or any ice cube mold).
Mix your frozen concentrate up with half of the water used in the directions on the label. Frozen fruit can be added to this also.
Pour the mix into the mold and freeze solid.
Choose your punchbowl.
Put the ginger ale and the *raspberry soda in the punchbowl. Add frozen fruit and stir.
Add large scoops of the lime sherbet.
Float your molded ice/flavor and you are ready to serve!
The punch can be spiked for adult parties, but I tend to leave the punch non-alcoholic so it can be consumed "as is" or individually spiked. If you spike it, I recommend a plain rum or vodka.
Mulled Cider
1 gallon apple juice or cider
3-4 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
10 allspice berries
6 whole cloves
orange or lemon zest strips (~1/4 of the fruit)
*1 tsp nutmeg (optional)
*1/4+ cup brown sugar (optional)
You can make up half of this at a time, but we go through it so fast at parties when the weather is cool that I make it up a gallon at a time and have another on the stove!
Put the cider and ALL other ingredients listed in a large saucepan/ stew-pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and remove from heat. Set aside to allow the flavors to merge (at least 30 minutes) and serve hot!
You can sieve or ladle off the top to leave most of the solids behind.
If the (adult) individual wants to spike their beverage a bit of bourbon can be added.
Cranberry Bog
