Witches Brew Recipe
Witches Brew is a spooky and festive Halloween punch that combines brewed tea with warm spices, tart cranberry juice, and fresh citrus juices. This vibrant and refreshing drink is perfect for holiday parties and gatherings, delivering a balanced sweetness and a hint of spice, enhanced by optional garnishes like orange slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks for an enchanting presentation.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Boiling, Steeping, Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Tea and Spice Base
- 2 cups boiling water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tea bags (black or herbal tea of choice)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Juices and Additional Liquids
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 2 pints cranberry juice cocktail (4 cups)
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed blood orange juice (or regular orange juice)
- 2/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
Garnish (Optional)
- Orange slices
- Whole cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Prepare the Sugar Syrup and Brew Tea: In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 cups boiling water. Bring to a boil while stirring occasionally and cook until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and add 5 tea bags of your choice. Steep the tea bags for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Add Spices: Remove the tea bags carefully. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, mixing thoroughly to blend the warm spices into the brewed tea base.
- Mix the Punch: In a large pitcher, combine the remaining 2 1/2 cups water with the brewed tea mixture. Add 2 pints (4 cups) cranberry juice cocktail, 1/2 cup fresh squeezed blood orange juice (or regular orange juice), and 2/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to ensure all the flavors are incorporated.
- Chill the Punch: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill for approximately 2 hours or until the punch is well chilled.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish the punch with orange slices, optionally studded with whole cloves for added aroma and a festive look. Add cinnamon sticks for extra spice and visual appeal. Serve over ice if desired.
Notes
- You can use any type of tea you prefer; black tea provides a robust flavor, while herbal teas can add unique notes.
- For a less sweet option, reduce the sugar slightly or use a sugar substitute.
- The blood orange juice gives a deeper color and flavor but regular orange juice works perfectly as an alternative.
- Adding cloves to the orange slices not only enhances fragrance but also creates a spooky Halloween touch.
- For an adult version, consider adding a splash of rum or vodka if suitable for your guests.
- Keep the punch chilled until served to maintain freshness and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240 ml)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Witches Brew, Halloween punch, seasonal drink, spiced tea punch, cranberry juice cocktail, citrus punch, festive beverage