Poison Apple Punch (+ Mocktail Recipe)
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Looking for a chillingly delicious drink to serve at your next Halloween party? This Poison Apple Punch is the perfect brew for witches, warlocks, and all your spooky guests. With the tartness of apple cider, the tang of cranberry juice, and the sweet, sour bite of apple pucker schnapps, this cocktail (or mocktail!) is a wickedly refreshing treat. Whether you're making a grown-up version or a family-friendly potion, this drink is sure to cast a spell over your Halloween celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This Poison Apple Punch:
This Halloween punch not only looks spooky with its rich, blood-red hue, but it also packs a punch of fall flavors. The combination of tart apple cider and cranberry juice pairs perfectly with the apple pucker schnapps, creating a drink that’s both sweet and sour—like biting into a crisp, ripe apple but with a mischievous twist. For a mocktail version, simply leave out the alcohol and add some apple cider vinegar, and you’ve got a potion everyone can enjoy.
Delightful for A Halloween Party:
Whether you're hosting a Hocus Pocus watch party, a costume bash, or a laid-back spooky night with friends, Poison Apple Punch is the ultimate Halloween drink. Serve it in a large cauldron or gothic-style punch bowl, and let your guests help themselves to a glass of this sinister brew. It's easy to make in large batches, and with a few creepy garnishes like apple slices and star anise, it becomes the star of your haunted table.
Gathering Ingredients:
Apple Cider.
Cranberry Juice.
Fireball. If you are choosing to make the mocktail version, you will need apple cider vinegar to mimic the bitter, tart flavor of the alcohol.
Ginger Ale.
Fresh Apple Slices.
Cinnamon Sticks & Star Anise.
Black Sanding Sugar. For decorating the rim of the drinking glasses.
How to Make Poison Apple Punch:
Step One: To a large punch bowl, add the apple cider, cranberry juice, apple schnapps, Fireball, and ginger ale. If you are making the mocktail version, omit the alcohol and use the apple cider vinegar in its place. Stir gently to mix all of the liquids together.
Step Two: Add some fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise as a garnish in the punch bowl. Keep the mixture chilled until ready to use.
Step Three: Roll the top outer edge of the glass in a bit of water and then black sanding sugar for a bewitching look. When ready to serve, fill the glasses with the punch.
Tips for Crafting the Perfect Poison Apple Punch:
Use Dry Ice for a Spooky Effect: If you’re serving this at a party, a little dry ice in the punch bowl can create a foggy, eerie effect that will wow your guests. Just make sure the dry ice is only used for decoration, and guests don't consume any pieces.
Garnish with Black Sugar: Rim your glasses with black or dark purple sanding sugar for an extra bewitching touch. Simply dip the rim in a little water or juice, then into the colored sugar for an easy but eye-catching presentation.
Batch Ahead for Easy Serving: This punch can easily be made ahead of time. Combine the apple cider, cranberry juice, and schnapps (or the mocktail ingredients) in advance and store in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, add the ginger ale and ice cubes for that refreshing, fizzy finish.
Serve in Themed Glassware: Elevate your Poison Apple Punch by serving it in gothic goblets or old-fashioned glass bottles with labels like “Witch’s Brew” or “Poison Elixir.” It adds a theatrical, spooky vibe to your drink presentation.
Serving Suggestions for a Wickedly Good Time:
For a stunning Halloween display, serve your Poison Apple Punch in a cauldron or large bowl with a ladle. Surround it with flickering candles, dark florals, and creepy decorations to give your punch station an enchanting, haunted look. For an extra spooky touch, consider floating a few apple slices on top of the punch or using skull-shaped ice cubes. Don’t forget a few cinnamon sticks and star anise!
More Witch-Inspired Recipes:
Poison Candy Apples
Black Flame Candle Cakes
Final Thoughts:
Whether you're sipping on the cocktail version or keeping it alcohol-free with the mocktail, this Poison Apple Punch is the ultimate sweet Halloween drink. Its tart, fruity flavors, combined with its eerie appearance, make it a must-have for any spooky celebration. So gather your fellow witches and ghouls, stir up a batch, and enjoy the perfect mix of fall flavors with a side of Halloween magic. Cheers to a frightfully good time!
Poison Apple Punch (+ Mocktail)
Ingredients
- 1 quart (960 ml) apple cider
- 2 cups (480 ml) cranberry juice
- 1 cup (240 ml) apple pucker schnapps
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60 to 120 ml) Fireball, optional
- 2 cups (480 ml) ginger ale or ginger beer, for added fizz
- Fresh apple slices, for garnish
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Anise
- 1 quart (960 ml) apple cider
- 2 cups (480 ml) cranberry juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups (480 ml) ginger ale or ginger beer, for added fizz
- Fresh apple slices, for garnish
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Anise
- Black sanding sugar, for decorating the glasses
Instructions
- To a large punch bowl, add the apple cider, cranberry juice, apple schnapps, Fireball, and ginger ale. If you are making the mocktail version, omit the alcohol and use the apple cider vinegar in its place. Stir gently to mix all of the liquids together.
- Add some fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise as a garnish in the punch bowl. Keep the mixture chilled until ready to use.
- Roll the top outer edge of the glass in a bit of water and then black sanding sugar for a bewitching look.**
- When ready to serve, fill the glasses with the punch.
Notes
*Easily prep ahead and make this mixed drink before your guests arrive. Mix the drinks with the exception of the ginger ale or ginger beer together and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. The soda will begin to fall flat over time, so it's best to mix this up only a couple of hours before serving, or wait to add the soda until just before serving.
**The decorated glasses can be made in advance as well!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
240Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
