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This Halloween Sangria is the star of every spooky gathering I host. With juicy blood oranges, pomegranate seeds, and playful ghost-shaped apple slices bobbing among jewel-black blackberries, it transforms a simple punch bowl into a festive centerpiece. Every glass bursts with freshness and an eerie holiday vibe that delights adults and makes the kids giggle.
One Halloween when a thunderstorm kept our trick or treating short I pulled out this sangria for the grownups and every parent asked for the recipe. It made the night feel special and festive despite the weather.
Ingredients
- Granny Smith apples: add crisp tart crunch and hold their shape for the ghost cutouts choose ones that feel firm
- Lemon juice: prevents apple browning and gives a bright balance
- Ice: chills everything and helps keep the fruit perky and refreshing
- Blood oranges: deliver dramatic spooky color and juicy flavor pick ones with the deepest red flesh you can find
- Blackberries: give beautiful darkness and little pops of flavor choose glossy firm berries
- Pomegranate seeds: sparkle like rubies and taste tangy sweet look for fruit that feels heavy for its size
- Light red wine: makes the base stay fruity and not overpowering use good quality Grenache Gamay or Pinot Noir
- Italian soda: brings fizz and fun and less sweetness than many sodas blood orange or pomegranate are top picks
- Créme de cassis: adds depth from blackcurrants and festive berry sweetness use true French cassis if you can find it
- Simple syrup: just a little balances tartness and lets you adjust sweetness to your liking try homemade made with real sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Slice and Prepare Ghost Apples:
- Slice Granny Smith apples lengthwise into half inch thick slices. Press your ghost cookie cutter through each slice to cut out ghosts. Using a skewer or straw poke three holes for the eyes and mouth of each ghost. Toss all the ghost slices in a bowl with fresh lemon juice to coat and set aside.
- Chill the Base:
- Mix the bottle of light red wine with créme de cassis and simple syrup in a pitcher or bowl. Keep cold in the fridge up to a day ahead to let the flavors meld.
- Build the Punch Bowl:
- When ready to serve fill a large punch bowl with lots of ice. Add ghost apples blood orange rounds blackberries and pomegranate seeds. Lightly toss everything so fruit is evenly distributed.
- Finish and Serve:
- Pour the chilled wine mixture over the fruit and ice. Add Italian soda in your chosen flavor and gently stir everything together. Taste and adjust with extra soda or syrup if needed. Serve very cold in glasses making sure each person gets a ghost.
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As a kid I used to try carving apples with my grandma for Halloween so adding the ghost apple slices is a little tradition that makes this recipe extra special in my house. Every year my son tries to make his apple look spookier than last year’s.
Storage Tips
You can mix the wine créme de cassis and simple syrup together and store it up to a day ahead in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Cut the fruit and make your apple ghosts up to three hours before serving. When it is party time just add everything to the ice filled punch bowl and top with soda right before serving for the freshest fizz.
Ingredient Substitutions
No blood oranges No problem Use regular oranges or even a splash of pomegranate juice. Blackberries can be swapped for blueberries or raspberries. Instead of créme de cassis try Chambord or skip the liqueur and use a splash more simple syrup with berry juice.
Serving Suggestions
This sangria looks fabulous in clear glass punch bowls or pitchers. Add a few gummy worms or dry ice puffs for extra Halloween effect. For a lower alcohol option use extra soda and a little less wine. Pair with a savory cheese platter or Halloween snacks.
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Cultural and Historical Context
Sangria is a classic Spanish drink enjoyed at celebrations and holidays for centuries. The Halloween twist comes with the dramatic fall fruits and those apple ghosts a very American approach to making a recipe joyful for both adults and kids at the party.
Commonly Asked Questions
- → Which wine varieties work best?
Light-bodied reds like Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Gamay keep the drink refreshing and allow fruit flavors to shine.
- → How do you make ghost apple slices?
Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter on apple slices and add eyes and a mouth with a straw, then toss in lemon juice.
- → Can you make it ahead of time?
You can mix the wine, liqueur, and syrup a day in advance, and slice fruit a few hours before serving for easy assembly.
- → Can I substitute the Italian soda?
If needed, try sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice for a lighter twist or use a soda flavor you enjoy.
- → What does créme de cassis add?
This blackcurrant liqueur brings sweet-tart depth and color, enhancing both flavor and presentation.
- → How do I keep the sangria chilled?
Fill your punch bowl with ice before adding ingredients and serve immediately to keep it cool and refreshing.