We're getting spooky around here with this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail. Bursting with apple flavor, this signature Halloween cocktail is perfect for your upcoming costume party or a night curled up on the couch watching scary movies with a few friends.
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Eek! Now that Halloween time is here, I don't know how to put into words how excited I am. Costumes, candy, eerie decor, scary movie marathons -- I love it all.
And, of course, those Halloween parties and fall festivals are always a blast. In fact, I consider Halloween the official kick-off to the holiday season. That calls for a celebration, and you can't have a celebration without a fun signature cocktail, right? Right.
This fall cocktail has everything you need to get into the Halloween spirit --- loads of seasonal apple flavor, creepy special effects and wicked witch vibes. With this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail, your Halloween will be as festive as it gets.
Ingredients for Poisoned Orchard Cocktail
Let's put together our ingredients. Here's everything we need to make this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail.
- Dark rum
- Apple brandy
- Cran-apple juice
- Lemon juice
- Apples
- Water
- Sugar
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Cardamom
- Ginger beer
- Cinnamon and sugar for garnish
- Dry ice for a spine-chilling effect
How to Make Apple Spice Simple Syrup
Before we start on the rest of our cocktail, we need to first make an apple spice simple syrup. To get the most flavor out of the simple syrup, I like to give the mixture time to steep, so it's best to make this ahead of time.
In a small saucepan, we combine two sliced apples with water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and cardamom. We cook the mixture until the sugar dissolves, and then we let it steep. After it steeps, we strain the mixture, and our apple spice simple syrup is now ready.
How to Make Poisoned Orchard Cocktail
If you're making just a few cocktails at a time, add the apple spice simple syrup, dark rum, apple brandy, cran-apple juice, lemon juice and ice to a cocktail shaker. Pop on the top and give it a good shake. Pour into glasses, top with ginger beer and add a small piece of dry ice if you're so inclined.
However, if you plan on making this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail for a Halloween party, I recommend mixing all the ingredients except the ginger beer and dry ice in a punch bowl and chilling ahead of time. Right before serving, add the ginger beer and dry ice to the punch bowl, and it's ready to go. How's that for easy entertaining?
Tips for Handling Dry Ice
I love using dry ice in my Halloween cocktails for those spooky bubbles and wispy steam, but you need to handle it with care. Here are a few tips I always follow.
- Dry ice can damage skin, so never grab it with your bare hands. Gloves are a good idea.
- Dry ice is sold in a large block at your grocery store and generally packaged in plastic and then in a paper bag. To break it up, I simply drop the dry ice bag in the paper bag, which I fold closed, on concrete a few times until it breaks into the size I need.
- Even when wearing gloves, I still use tongs to grab pieces.
- Do not store dry ice in your freezer. Dry ice can break your freezer, so opt for a portable cooler and keep the cooler slightly ajar.
Perfect Pairing
This Halloween-themed cocktail calls for a cozy fall meal, and my cheddar-apple stuffed chicken thighs in a creamy garlic sauce are a tasty match. With all that apple flavor in this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail, it's perfect with the cheddar filling. And, of course, apples with more apples is just fun.
If you're feeling those creepy Halloween vibes, I hope you try this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail.
Cheers!
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📖 Recipe
Poisoned Orchard Cocktail
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Fine-mesh sieve or strainer
- Cocktail shaker
- Tongs
Ingredients
Apple Spice Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 honeycrisp apples sliced with peel
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tablespoon whole cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
Poisoned Orchard Cocktail
- 4 ounces cran-apple juice
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce apple brandy
- 1 ounce apple spice simple syrup
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- Regular ice
- Splash of ginger beer
- Cinnamon for garnish, optional
- Sugar for garnish, optional
- Dry ice optional (see notes for safety recommendations)
Instructions
- For the apple spice simple syrup, add the sugar, water, apple slices and spices to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar dissolves, let the simple syrup steep. At least 10 minutes is good, but it's even better if you can give it 30 minutes to an hour. Strain and chill. If you'd like a rimmed glass for serving, reserve an apple slice or two. You can take care of this step ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.
- Add cran-apple juice, dark rum, apple brandy, apple spice simple syrup, lemon juice and regular ice to a cocktail shaker. Pop on the top and shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on a small plate and stir to combine. Take one of the reserved apple slices, cut it in the middle and run it along the rim of your glass. Dip the glass in the cinnamon and sugar. This step is optional.
- Add regular ice to your glass if not using dry ice. Strain in the drink from the cocktail shaker. Top with ginger beer and gently stir. If using dry ice, add a small piece to the bottom of your glass using tongs and not your bare hands. Let your guests know not to swallow the dry ice so either sip from the top until it stops steaming or wait until it stops completely, about five minutes. To serve a crowd, see the proportions below. Enjoy!
Notes
- To make 16 servings, double the apple spice simple syrup recipe and combine the entire double batch with 8 cups cran-apple juice, 4 cups dark rum and 2 cups apple brandy in a punch bowl and chill. When ready to serve, add 2 cups ginger beer and gently stir. Add a chunk of dry ice using tongs to the bottom of the punch bowl. Add more dry ice as necessary to keep up the effect.
- Do not touch dry ice with bare skin or ingest it. Make sure to use tongs to transfer the ice. Gloves are also a good idea. The ice will drop to the bottom of the glass. Either let your guest know to sip the cocktail from the top until it stops bubbling, or set the cocktail out to show off the fun effect but don't serve until the bubbling stops, about five minutes.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Linda says
I love this spooky drink! So fun to make and so delicious
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Linda! It's really my new favorite.
Addie says
This cocktail is equally fun and festive! I love the creativity you used in making this drink!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Addie!
Bernice says
This cocktail is so much fun and the special effects are excellent! Halloween really is the best time of the year, it's the one holiday we can indulge in our dark side.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Totally agree! I always have so much fun this time of year. Glad you enjoyed the cocktail to add an extra spooky touch to your holiday!
Jeri says
What a cool-looking cocktail! I will be gathering up all the ingredients so I can make this on Halloween night! My friends will love it!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I bet they will! Have a happy Halloween!
Julie says
I haven't made a fun "drink" in the LONGEST TIME and this one is so super creative and tasty! I love the idea of this recipe, even if I have to swap ingredients, I still love it! So inspired!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad you enjoyed it and were able to make it work for you!
Luke says
Silly question
If dry ice can damage your skin, how does it not hit your lips when drinking the beverage?
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Not a silly question! It’s super dense, so it will fall to the bottom of the glass, which is why I’ll just sip on the top until it melts and stops steaming. But if you want to be extra safe, you can add the dry ice and set out for a fun presentation, and then serve when the steams stops.
GUNJAN C Dudani says
Such a perfect and ghostly drink. I would love to serve this on Halloween to the adults.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you get a chance to do just that!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Oh how ghoulishly spooktacular! Your shots are absolutely gorgeous! Now I wish we were having a Halloween party just so I could serve these!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you, Lori! Hope you find an excuse. ?
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
What a fun cocktail for Halloween! Rum and apple work so well together - it looks impressive and tasty too!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure! They're a great match.
Chef Dennis says
what a perfect cocktail for the season! I'm not throwing a Halloween party this year but will keep it in mind for next year.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you do!
Denise says
This looks delicious! Perfect for a party or any get together during the Fall season. I can't wait to try it.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hope you love it, Denise!
Tammy says
Ahh your photography is stunning! This sounds and looks fabulous...I'd love one right now ;D
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Tammy! Really appreciate it. ❤️
Veronika's Kitchen says
Wow! Your photos look amazing! And the cocktail looks so spooky but tasty) It will be fun to make it for upcoming Halloween party!)
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! That's a good way to describe it. ?
Tara says
This is SUCH a fun Halloween cocktail, Amanda! Your photos are gorgeous and I absolutely adore the smoky dry ice effect. I've never thought to make an apple spice simple syrup so I've just added this whole drink to my to-make list! Great job!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Tara! I hope you try it!
Mahidua says
This is very really unique helpful information.I learn so much from you as well! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful information. Keep it up.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you so much! ❤️