Foodie Friday: Halloween Cocktails

Halloween Pumpkin Punch
Via Honestly Yum

Halloween gives us the opportunity to get creative and festive with costumes, parties, food and beverages.  We've found some really fun cocktails for you to try out.  Remember to drink responsibly.  Cheers!


Halloween Pumpkin Punch

Ingredients: 
For the punch:
750 ml bottle of spiced rum
1 cup orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup spiced syrup
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 1/2 cups sparkling water
cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
dry ice (for decorating, optional)
large pumpkin or punchbowl

For the spiced syrup:
1/2 cup demerara sugar
1/2 cup water
6 whole cloves
6 allspice berries
1 cinnamon stick (broken into pieces)
1 star anise pod
6 white peppercorns
1/2 nutmeg (cracked)

Instructions:
For the spiced syrup
Add the spices to a small saucepan over medium heat. Shake the spices back and forth so that they do not burn.

As soon as the spices become toasty and aromatic add the water and sugar. Stir continuously to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a simmer and turn the heat to low. Let simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat, and strain through a fine mesh strainer.
cool to room temperature before using.

For the punch
In a large bowl, add the spiced rum, orange juice, lemon juice, spiced syrup and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine. 

Once combined, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher and chill until ready to serve.

Meanwhile, place a large bowl into your hollowed pumpkin. Be sure your bowl is safe to handle dry ice. I used a metal bowl. Next, use tongs to fill the bottom of the bowl with dry ice, and cover with a slightly smaller bowl. This bowl will hold your punch. Again, make sure both bowls are safe for dry ice. Certain materials will shatter when exposed to dry ice.
Pour the mixture into the punchbowl. Add the sparkling water and stir to combine.
Now for the fun part. Carefully pour hot water into the bottom bowl so that it contacts the dry ice, thus activating the vapors.

Guests can ladle the punch into their glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Remember to give it a stir as you serve, as the ingredients will naturally separate over time.

Notes:

The length of time the smoky effect will last depends on how much dry ice you use, how hot the water is, and consequently how quickly the ice melts. To keep the effect going you will need to replenish the dry ice as it melts.


Hallowine Sangria
Via The Seasoned Mom

"Hallowine" Sangria

Author: The Seasoned Mom
Prep: 4 hours
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 4 hours, 15 mins
Yield: 12 cups

Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
2 (750-milliliter) bottles Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup orange liqueur
24 ounces club soda, chilled
2 oranges, thinly sliced (plus additional for garnish)
1 cup fresh blackberries (plus additional for garnish)

Instructions:
Bring sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes.

Combine sugar mixture, red wine, orange juice, and liqueur in a large container; cover and chill 4 hours. Stir in club soda, oranges, and blackberries just before serving. Serve over ice.


Candy Corn Cocktail 
Via Tammilee Tips


Candy Corn Cocktail 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka
3 oz Sour Mix
2 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
Whipped cream for topping

Directions:
1. Combine Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka, Sour Mix and Pineapple Juice in a shaker with ice, shake away
2. Pour mix into a martini glass
3. Slowly pour Grenadine into mix so it settles at the bottom

4. Top with whip cream


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