Ingredients
- 3 cups apple cider, chilled
- 2 cups ginger ale, chilled
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Green food coloring (gel works best)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce, for rimming
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
- Thin apple slices, for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
- Rim the glasses. Dip the rims of two tall glasses in caramel sauce, letting a little drip down the sides for a spooky effect.
- Fill with ice. Fill the glasses three-quarters full with ice.
- Mix the poison. Stir the apple cider, lime juice, and 3-4 drops of green food coloring until evenly glowing green. Add more coloring a drop at a time until it looks properly wicked.
- Pour and fizz. Pour the green cider over the ice, then top each glass with ginger ale. Stir gently once — the fizz is the magic.
- Garnish. Add a cinnamon stick stirrer and a thin apple slice to each glass. Serve immediately while fizzy.
🍏 Spooky-sip tips
Add the ginger ale last so the fizz survives to the table. Gel food coloring gives the most vivid green with the fewest drops. For a punch-bowl version, multiply everything into a bowl and float apple slices on top — just add the ginger ale right before guests arrive. Adults can spike their own glass with a shot of spiced rum.
Common questions
Can I make this less sweet?
Use dry ginger ale or swap half the ginger ale for sparkling water, and choose an unsweetened apple cider. The lime keeps it bright either way.
Can I make it ahead?
Mix the cider, lime, and coloring up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Add ice and ginger ale just before serving so it stays fizzy.
Is there a natural way to get the green color?
A teaspoon of matcha powder whisked into the cider gives a natural green (and a subtle earthy note). Spinach juice works too, in tiny amounts.
How do I scale this for a party?
Multiply into a punch bowl: 1 gallon cider, 1/2 gallon ginger ale, 1 cup lime juice, coloring to taste. Serves about 20.
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