Shrunken Head Apple Cider Punch
If you are hosting a Halloween party this fall, this Shrunken Head Apple Cider Punch is a spooky showstopper! Made with seasonal apple cider, tart cranberry juice, and fizzy ginger beer, this festive punch has a crisp, refreshing flavour with a hint of warming spice from cinnamon sticks. But the real star of the show is the homemade shrunken apple heads that float in the punch bowl for a creepy Halloween effect. It’s an easy way to elevate your Halloween spread and give your guests something to talk about!
Ingredients
For the Shrunken Apple Heads:
- 3 large apples peeled, halved and cored
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Apple Cider Punch:
- 4 litres apple cider chilled
- 800 millilitres ginger beer chilled
- 500 millilitres cranberry juice unsweetened, chilled
- 3 to 6 cinnamon sticks whole
- Ice for serving
- 1 ounce spiced whiskey or rum (if desired)
Instructions
To make the shrunken apple heads:
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prepare the apples for carving by peeling, halving, and coring all of the apples.
- Mix the water and lemon juice in a small bowl and dunk each of the apple halves into the water. This will prevent them from browning.
- Use a melon baller or paring knife to carefully carve faces into each of the apple halves. Get creative and as elaborate as you want! Once the apple half is carved, dunk it in the lemon water again and place on the baking tray. Repeat for the rest of the apple halves.
- Once all the apples are carved, bake in the centre of the oven for 3 to 3 ½ hours. The total baking time will depend on the size of your apples, so check them at 3 hours. They will be slightly browned, shrunken, and dry on the outside but the centre will still be moist.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely, then transfer to a plastic bag and place in the freezer to freeze completely.
To make the apple cider punch:
- Add all of the punch ingredients to a large punch bowl (or large serving bowl). Add the frozen shrunken apple heads to the punch and stir to combine.
- To serve, place some ice in a glass and spoon over the punch. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Carve and bake the shrunken apple heads in advance and freeze. This will keep them fresh and will keep the punch chilled.
- Keep the main punch bowl alcohol-free and offer guests to spike their own drinks with spiced whisky or rum if desired.
- Add the ginger beer at the last minute to ensure that the punch stays effervescent for longer. Top with extra ginger beer or sparkling water as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 256mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!