Makes about3 quarts
- Active time:15 min
- Start to finish:1 1/2 hr (includes steeping)
Punch is one of the easiest ways to set the Halloween mood—all you need is a cauldron, perhaps, or a pointy black hat and ice block “hands.” Not every blend of fruit juices takes well to the with-or-without option of alcohol, but the combination of sparkling cider and cranberry juice cocktail, subtly enhanced with a spice syrup, both support an optional dose of dark rum.
-
2
(3-inch) cinnamon sticks
-
5
whole cloves
-
3
tablespoons
finely chopped peeled ginger
-
1/3
cup
water
-
1/3
cup
sugar
-
1
(25 1/4-oz) bottle sparkling cider (about 3 1/4 cups), chilled
-
4
cups
cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
-
1
(1-liter) bottle club soda or seltzer, chilled
-
1
cup
dark rum (optional)
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Ice blocks in any shape (see cooks’ note, below)
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Bring cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, water, and sugar to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, uncovered, 1 hour.
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Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then chill until cold.
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Combine all remaining ingredients, except ice, with syrup in a punch bowl. Add ice before serving.
Cooks’ notes: - To make hand-shaped ice, fill powder-free, latex-free rubber gloves with water and tie wrist end securely, then freeze.
- Syrup can be made 1 week ahead and chilled with spices. Strain before using.