Description
Sip if you dare! This Halloween Spider Cider Punch looks wickedly creepy but tastes heavenly with warm autumn spices. The floating spider ice cubes will give your guests a delightful fright.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon (3.8 liters) fresh apple cider
- 3 cinnamon sticks, whole
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (470ml) cranberry juice (optional)
- 24 black plastic spiders (food-safe)
- 4 cups (950ml) filtered water
- Black food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare spider ice cubes by filling molds halfway with water, placing one plastic spider in each compartment, and freezing for 2 hours until partially set.
- Top off ice molds with remaining water and freeze overnight.
- In a large pot, combine apple cider, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves, and star anise.
- Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then reduce to low.
- Add brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and nutmeg.
- If using, add cranberry juice for color and slight tartness.
- Strain punch to remove whole spices and orange slices.
- Transfer to a punch bowl or slow cooker to keep warm.
- Just before serving, unmold spider ice cubes and float them in the punch.
- Serve in clear glass mugs to showcase the floating spiders.