This non-alcoholic Halloween punch is made with wholesome fruit, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sparkling water, and maple syrup for a kid-friendly party punch that you can feel good about. It’s also refined sugar-free and vegan.
It can be hard to find sweets without all the processed junk that goes into store-bought treats, so I like to make my own and share them with you here. I celebrate with spooky, healthier treats like Halloween Fruit Salad and these Frankenstein Cupcakes!
This fruity punch is made of easy-to-find ingredients, so you know exactly what goes into those little goblins.
I posted this Halloween Punch with Eyeballs a few years ago, and it is made especially for those that like eerie! It’s a punch made with various fruit juices and white rum making it perfect for adult crowds.
Today’s punch is different; it uses frozen and fresh fruit blended with a little sparkling water to add a bit of fizz. If you choose to use it, the dry ice gives it that chilling effect so everyone can enjoy a smokey witches’ brew.
Tips
- I used frozen strawberries that were mostly thawed to make it easier on the blender.
- Use fresh blueberries to get better color in the punch. If you don’t mind it being darker, then frozen blueberries work.
- For the grapes, I use red or purple ones to add more color.
- I would use freshly squeezed lemon juice for enhanced flavor. I just don’t like bottled lemon juice. If you don’t mind bottled lemon juice, you can use it.
- The sparkling water should be cold and added just before serving to get the most out of the bubbles.
- Don’t add sparkling water when you blend the other ingredients, as it will take out the sparkle in the punch.
- I used a Blendtec for this. If it doesn’t blend in your regular blender, you can add a little sparkling water to get things moving. But sparkling water in a blender will make it less bubbly, so don’t put all of it in.
- When using dry ice, always take safety precautions seriously.
Do I have to use maple syrup?
No, but I think it adds just the right touch of sweetness without being overly sweet.
If you’re not vegan, honey will work nicely, or if you want to use simple syrup, that will also work.
Melon eyeballs
I’ve seen a photo of someone else using melon eyeballs, and they appear to be floating in the drink. But they don’t float!
When I put them in the drink, they sank. When I froze them, they still sank. I tried different types of melon. They all sank.
To make them, you scoop out balls with a melon scoop. Then you make an X at the top and kind of dig a little hole out so that the blueberry has a place to sit.
Place two on a cocktail pick and serve with the punch.
Dry ice safety tips
Dry ice creates a spooky effect making it perfect with this Halloween punch. It’s smokey and a bonafide crowd-pleaser! That being said, there are some fundamental things to know when handling, storing and disposing of dry ice.
Make sure to keep the dry ice pieces at least 1-2″ in size. You don’t want one to accidentally get into your glass.
If you find that the blueberries clump together with the dry ice, then add a bit more water.
⚠️ Please read all the tips before handling dry ice! ⚠️
Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide, and when it “melts,” it turns into a gas, creating that smoking effect. It’s so cold that it can cause burns and even frostbite if handled without gloves.
I recommend always having an adult standing guard at the punch bowl, especially if kids are around. I can think of some pretty clever costumes for this important job! 😉
Here are some essential tips when handling dry ice.
- ⚠️ Do not swallow dry ice!
- ⚠️ Do not touch it with bare hands.
- ⚠️ Use tongs or gloves to handle dry ice.
This Vampires Kiss Cocktail uses dry ice in the drink, but you should not add dry ice in the glass for a kid’s drink. This is why I would have an adult standing over the punch bowl.
How to store it properly
- Do not put dry ice in the freezer! It can make the freezer too cold and could break it.
- It’s best to keep in a styrofoam cooler because they won’t crack, are insulative, and it lets the carbon dioxide disperse safely.
- If stored in a plastic cooler, it could break it.
- Ventilation is key, so do not put it in an air-tight container! Carbon dioxide gas can build up, so to minimize the risk of explosion, leave the lid ajar.
Safety first!
- Keep away from children and pets and store it out of sight until you are ready to use it.
- Wear gloves and goggles when handling or use tongs when adding it to the punch bowl.
- If you need to break up the dry ice, keep it in its package and wrap it in a towel or a plastic bag. Drop it on the ground. You can also use an ice pick, but I recommend wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt, closed-toe shoes, gloves and goggles just to be safe!
- Do not set it on the counter! Glass, ceramic, stoneware and plastic can crack if it comes into contact with dry ice.
(As I said above, the eyeballs don’t float. 😉 They were placed on shot glasses.)
How to properly dispose of dry ice
- Let the dry ice turn into vapor if you have some left over.
- Choose a well-ventilated space away from kids and pets and let it vaporize by leaving the container lid ajar.
- Place the container in an outdoor area and in direct sunlight if possible.
- Never dump dry ice in sewer lines or in the garbage disposal, trash cans, toilets or sinks because it can cause pipes to freeze and burst.
Recap
- ⚠️ Always use protective gear when handling dry ice.
- ⚠️ Always store it properly away from kids and pets.
- ⚠️ Always use it with adult supervision.
- ⚠️ Always allow it to turn to vapor in a cooler with the lid open.
No need to be scared of using dry ice as long as you are using precautions.
Other healthier Halloween treats
- Halloween Hot Chocolate Bombs make great party favors! They’re white chocolate spheres filled with hot chocolate powder that turns into a mug of hot chocolate with just a little hocus pocus.
- Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is the best way to keep a large batch of hot chocolate ready and warm for when your guests arrive.
- Ghost Meringues are adorably sweet and make terrific treats!
- Eyeball Cupcakes for Halloween are made with natural ingredients and definitely are spookier than most.
- Witch Finger Cookies put gory into any Halloween. They’re made with all-natural ingredients and no food colorings or artificial flavorings.
- Halloween Dirt Cups are easy and super fun. Bananas are used as ghostly figures in chocolate pudding with chocolate cookie crumbs that are sure to please kids of all ages.
I hope you enjoy this spooktacular non-alcoholic Halloween punch! If you try it, please leave a comment below or give us a shoutout on social media by tagging #easywholesome. We’d love to hear from you!
Non-alcoholic Halloween Punch
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries (I used frozen strawberries that were mostly thawed)
- ¼ cup blueberries Use fresh blueberries to get better color in the punch. If you don't mind it being darker, then frozen blueberries work.
- ½ cup grapes (red or purple)
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 cups cold sparkling water
Instructions
- Blend the fruit, lemon juice and lemon zest in a blender on high until smooth. I used a Blendtec for this. If it doesn't work for you in a regular blender, you can add a little of the water to get things moving. But putting sparkling water in a blender will make it less bubbly, so don't put it all in.
- Add the maple syrup and blend for just one more second.
- Pour into the punch bowl and stir in the sparkling water. You should only pour in the sparkling water before serving. The sparkling water doesn’t make it bubbly, but makes it more voluminous and light.
- Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days (but this is really supposed to be enjoyed immediately due to the sparkling water).
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