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Active Time
15 min
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Total Time
1 1/2 hr (includes steeping)
Punch is one of the easiest ways to set the Halloween mood—all you need is a cauldron, perhaps, or a pointy black hat and ice block "hands."Not every blend of fruit juices takes well to the with-or-without option of alcohol, but the combination of sparkling cider and cranberry juice cocktail, subtly enhanced with a spice syrup, both support an optional dose of dark rum.
Ingredients
Makes about 3 quarts
Step 1
Bring cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, water, and sugar to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, uncovered, 1 hour.
Step 2
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then chill until cold.
Step 3
Combine all remaining ingredients, except ice, with syrup in a punch bowl. Add ice before serving.
•To make hand-shaped ice, fill powder-free, latex-free rubber gloves with water and tie wrist end securely, then freeze.
•Syrup can be made 1 week ahead and chilled with spices. Strain before using.
Leave a Review
Reviews (9)
Back to TopI have made this recipe each year for Halloween. It is loved by people and usually intriguing. ! However, I also make some modifications. #1. I use a spice cider mix instead of making the syrup. #2. Strawberry Rum #3. I cool the mixture with dry ice adding the effect of "witch's brew"
flamescook12
Durham, NC
9/8/2016
I absolutely love this recipe because it is very easy and a huge crowd pleaser! I make it every year for Halloween and am starting to bring it out for Thanksgiving too! I sometimes even use dark spiced rum
ChampagnePearl
New York, NY
11/28/2013
This drink was tasty enough but nothing special. Also, consider that there is ONE cup of rum in proportion to the rest of the ingredients ...barely enough to even register as an alcoholic beverage! It is about a teaspoon of alcohol per drink. If you are planning on making a non-alcohoic beverage this will work as well as anything ... but I think people are more impressed with the frozen hand ice cubes than they are with the actual beverage.
CMDink
10/31/2013
We had this at our Halloween party and everyone loved it! The simple syrup gave it that extra spice that it wouldn't have had otherwise. We added ginger ale (instead of seltzer) and champagne (instead of sparkling cider.) It was fabulous!!
chrissy055
Birdsboro, PA
11/4/2010
The ginger syrup was very subtle. The drink was light and refreshing...seemed more summery. I would increase the syrup mixture by 50% if to make it over again. It did taste delicious!
michaeluttes
washington, DC
10/26/2010
OUTRAGEOUSLY WONDERFUL! Serve the alcohol of choice on the side and both Totalers and Tea-totalers will have the opportunity to enjoy the brew!
BelleBradford325
Sterling, VA
10/24/2010
I substituted ginger ale for the sparkling cider because I wanted a more ginger-y kick. It turned out just as I had hoped! Got rave reviews and disappeared immediately.
antieos
NYC
10/20/2010
I have made this recipe for the last couple of years for a traditional halloween party....and it is a BIG HUGE SUCCESS everytime....
sstreeper
Ketchikan, AK
10/30/2009
SO good, the ginger gives it a wonderful flavor and kick! And the hand... Awesome! Thanks!
qidoc
Northfield, MN
10/28/2009
