Halloween: 2 easy-to-make cocktails, with and without alcohol

The first idea is a red drink made with blood orange juice, lemon soda, raspberry coulis, grenadine, and vodka. A few drops of red food coloring further enhance the visual effect.

But what really makes the difference is the large hand-shaped ice cube. Simply fill a disposable glove with water, close it, and leave it in the freezer for several hours. Once frozen, the ice cube can be placed directly into the serving bowl when it’s time to serve.

For a non-alcoholic alternative, the second recipe also uses a red base with blood orange juice, lemon soda, red berry coulis, grenadine, and lemon juice.

The garnish is completely different: lychees topped with a blueberry become little eyes to place in the cocktail or directly in the glasses. This is very easy to do and works well for a Halloween party where adults and children can enjoy the same drink.

To save time on the day of, there are several steps you can prepare in advance. The hand-shaped ice cube needs to sit in the freezer for at least a few hours anyway, so it’s best to make it the day before.

The base of the cocktail can also be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. For the non-alcoholic version, save the lychees and blueberries for the last minute so they stay nice and fresh.

Also, add the soda fairly late if you want to preserve more fizz when serving.

These two recipes are designed to be served in a large salad bowl or pitcher, which is convenient if you’re entertaining a group.

To stay on theme, there’s no need to add a lot of extra elements. A few drips of red berry coulis at the bottom of the glasses, lychee “eyes,” or a hand-shaped ice cube are enough to create a Halloween-appropriate presentation.

You can also use two clearly distinct containers if you’re serving both versions at the same time, so it’s immediately obvious which one contains alcohol.

The vodka version is better suited for an adults-only gathering and requires a bit of advance planning to prepare the ice cube. The non-alcoholic version is quicker: the recipe itself takes only a few minutes once you have all the ingredients gathered.

Both have the advantage of being made with easy-to-find ingredients and can be served in large quantities. So the choice depends mainly on your guests and how much time you have, rather than on the difficulty of the recipe!