ShareThisWhen the witches of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" concocted a brew, it was quite a to-do: "Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog, adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, lizard's leg, and howlet's wing, for a charm of powerful trouble, like a hell-broth boil and bubble."But there's no need to go to so much trouble when fruit juices, sodas and sherbets will do. The following simple recipes are all you need to prepare a delicious Halloween punch.To cast a spooky spell, serve your liquid potion in a black cauldron surrounded by dry ice, or keep it cool using frozen cubes of gummy worms and other edible creatures.Happy Halloween.WITCH'S BREW1 (6-ounce) package lime gelatin2 cups boiling water3 cups chilled pineapple juice1 (2-liter) bottle chilled lemon-lime soft drink or ginger ale2 cups chilled vodka, optionalSPECIAL EQUIPMENT:1 block dry ice (available at supermarkets)1 large black plastic cauldron (available at craft stores or supermarkets)1 punch bowl that fits into cauldronPour gelatin mix into large bowl. Slowly stir in boiling water. Stir at least 2 minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in pineapple juice. Let cool to room temperature.With tongs, place block of dry ice in bottom of cauldron. Dry ice will burn skin, so handle with care and keep away from children and pets. Use ice pick to break block into small chunks.Fill cauldron with enough water to cover dry ice, which will create a cool steam. Place punch bowl inside cauldron on top of dry ice.Carefully pour drink mixture into punch bowl. Slowly add lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and, if using, the vodka. Stir gently to mix.VAMPIRE BLOOD DRINK1 gallon cranberry juice1 gallon orange juice1 cup raspberry sorbet, softened1 quart seltzerMix juices together. Add sorbet and stir until it disappears. Add seltzer. Chill before serving.PUTRID PUNCH1 (13-ounce) package lemon-lime Kool-Aid1 cup sugar8 cups water1 can frozen orange-juice concentrate4 cups ginger aleIce cubes with gummy worms frozen inside3 scoops orange sherbetPour Kool-Aid into punch bowl. Add sugar and water, and stir until dissolved. Stir in orange juice. Just before serving, add ginger ale and worm ice cubes and float the three scoops of sherbet on top. Yield: 14 servings.HALLOWEEN PUNCH1 cup water2 tablespoons sugar4 whole cloves1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick2 cups orange juice2 cups grapefruit juice2 cups apple cider3/4 cup ginger aleIn small saucepan, combine water, sugar, cloves and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil and simmer 10 minutes. Cool. In large pitcher, combine everything except ginger ale. Chill in refrigerator. Just before serving, add ginger ale. Serve over ice.BLACK HALLOWEEN PUNCH1 (0.13-ounce) envelope unsweetened grape-drink mix1 (0.13-ounce) envelope unsweetened orange-drink mix2 cups white sugar3 quarts cold water1 liter ginger aleStir grape- and orange-drink mixes together with sugar and water. Stir until drink mix is dissolved. Add chilled ginger ale just before serving. Yield: 32 servings.(Mary Constantine is a food writer at The News-Sentinel in Knoxville, Tenn. E-mail her at constantinem(at)knoxnews.com.)
You don't need a witch-hunt to scare up some brew
Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 14:45
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