Decatur, Ala. | Monday, May 20, 2013
Font Size: A A A A

Thirsty for Halloween
These spine-tingling concoctions are sure to thrill, chill and fill
By Alison Ladman
Associated Press
Associated Press/Matthew Mead
Grape Eyeball Punch makes for a scary Halloween beverage.

It’s not enough for Halloween drinks to be delicious. They also have to be creepy.

And that’s where we drew our inspiration for these beverages — a kid-friendly, delightfully slimy grape “eyeball” punch and a not-so-kid-friendly murky and thick “orange haze” that blends orange liqueur, chocolate liqueur and honey.

To up the creep factor of the eyeball punch, you can peel the grapes before adding them to the other ingredients. There are two ways to do this. You can freeze the grapes (wash them, then arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet keeping them apart, then freeze), then run them under warm water to loosen the skins. Alternatively, you can plunge fresh grapes first into boiling water, then into ice water to loosen the skins.

Grape Eyeball Punch

Start to finish: 2 hours (15 minutes active)

Servings: 12

8 cups grape juice

2 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon whole cloves

1 tablespoon whole allspice

Three 1-inch slices fresh ginger

3 cups green grapes, peeled or not

Three 12-ounce bottles ginger beer or ale, chilled

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the grape juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and ginger. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour. Strain out and discard the seasonings, then transfer to a large pitcher or punch bowl and chill until cold. Once chilled, add the grapes and ginger beer or ale.

Orange Haze

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

3/4 ounce orange liqueur

3/4 ounce milk chocolate cream liqueur

1/2 teaspoon honey

Orange zest, to garnish

Pour the orange liqueur into a shot glass. Very slowly pour the chocolate liqueur down the side of the glass, then drizzle the honey over the top. Garnish with orange zest.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

E-mail this
Print this
You must be logged in to post a comment. click here to log in.
Follow Us On Twitter 
Decatur Daily @DecaturDaily
High School Sports @DecaturPreps
Living @DecaturLiving
Seth Burkett @DD_SethBurkett
Bill Campbell @DD_BillCampbell
Deangelo McDaniel @DD_Deangelo
Eric Fleischauer @DD_Fleischauer
Bayne Hughes @DD_BayneHughes
Ben Montgomery @DD_BMontgomery
Meredith Qualls @DailyMeredith
Mary Sell @DD_MarySell
Ronnie Thomas @DD_RonnieThomas

Alerts The Way You Want Them
Sign up for our any or all of our alert services & receive breaking local news, daily updates, sports, weather & more in your inbox or mobile device.
Mobile Devices
View our site on your smartphone or tablet devices.
Text Alerts (Subscribers Only)
Breaking news, bible quotes, weather, sports, horoscopes, stocks & more sent to your mobile devices.
Email Newsletter
Receive breaking local news, daily updates, sports, weather & more. Enter your e-mail address below.




Most Read
Most Recent
Most Commented
Events Calendar
Monday, May 20, 2013 see all events
  • Mon
  • 20
  • Tue
  • 21
  • Wed
  • 22
  • Thu
  • 23
  • Fri
  • 24
  • Sat
  • 25
  • Sun
  • 26
Decatur Youth Symphony
Rhodes Ferry Park
6:00 PM
Madison City Farmers Market
Madison City Farmers Market Lot
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Madison City Farmers Market
Madison City Farmers Market Lot
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Madison City Farmers Market
Madison City Farmers Market Lot
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Pickwick Belle, sightseeing cruises
Pickwick Belle Riverboat
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Madison City Farmers Market
Madison City Farmers Market Lot
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Daikin Festival
Morgan County Fairgrounds
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Pickwick Belle, dinner cruises
Pickwick Belle Riverboat
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Poll
What grade would you give the Alabama Legislature as it prepares to finish the 2013 session on May 20?