Witch's Brew
This bubbling green Halloween punch is bright, fruity, and easy to make for a party. Lime sherbet gives it a foamy cauldron look without any complicated tricks.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 12 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 20mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
Witch's brew is the kind of party drink that makes a table feel playful right away. This version is nonalcoholic, so it works for kids, teens, and adults who want a festive glass without spirits.
The punch starts with white grape juice, pineapple juice, and fresh lime juice. Lemon-lime soda adds bubbles, and scoops of lime sherbet melt into a creamy green foam.
For the best fizz, mix the punch right before serving. You can still prep the fruit and chill everything ahead, which makes party time much easier.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
8 items · 12 servings
- 4 cups 100% white grape juice, chilled
- 2 cups 100% pineapple juice, chilled
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, chilled, from about 4 limes
- 4 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled
- 2 cups lime sherbet, about 300 g
- 1 cup frozen green grapes
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 3 to 4 drops green gel food coloring, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the drinks
Place the white grape juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and lemon-lime soda in the refrigerator until very cold. Cold ingredients keep the punch fizzy longer and slow down how fast the sherbet melts.
2. Prepare the fruit
Freeze the grapes if they are not already frozen. Slice the lime into thin rounds. The frozen grapes work like edible ice cubes and help keep the brew cold without watering it down.
3. Combine the juices
In a large punch bowl or clean cauldron-style serving bowl, pour in the white grape juice, pineapple juice, and fresh lime juice. Stir gently to combine.
4. Tint the brew
If you want a brighter green color, stir in 3 to 4 drops of green gel food coloring. Add a little at a time, because gel color is strong. Skip this step if you prefer a more natural pale green punch.
5. Add the fizz
Slowly pour in the chilled lemon-lime soda. Stir once or twice with a ladle. Do not stir hard, or you will knock out the bubbles.
6. Float the sherbet
Scoop the lime sherbet over the top of the punch. Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes so it begins to foam and melt around the edges.
7. Garnish and serve
Add the frozen grapes and lime slices. Ladle the witch's brew into cups while it is still bubbly, making sure each serving gets a little foam if possible.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead plan: Mix the grape juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice up to 24 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add the soda, sherbet, grapes, and lime slices right before serving.
- Storage: Leftover punch can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, but it will lose its fizz and the sherbet will fully melt. Stir before serving over ice.
- Swap the soda: Ginger ale gives the punch a warmer, spicier taste. Lemon-lime sparkling water makes it less sweet, but the punch will taste more tart.
- Swap the sherbet: Orange sherbet works well but changes the color. Raspberry sherbet is fun for a darker “potion” look.
- Keep it colder longer: Freeze some white grape juice in ice cube trays and use those cubes in the bowl. They chill the punch without diluting the flavor.
- Dry ice safety: If you use dry ice for a smoky effect, do not put it directly in cups or where anyone can drink it. Use it only in a separate outer bowl around the punch bowl, and handle it with thick gloves or tongs.
Cook's note
Add the soda and sherbet as close to serving time as possible. That is the main difference between a lively, foamy witch's brew and a flat punch.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make witch's brew without food coloring?
Yes. The punch will be a softer yellow-green from the pineapple juice, lime juice, and sherbet. It will still taste the same.
Can I make this punch dairy-free?
Most sherbet contains a small amount of dairy. For a dairy-free version, use lime sorbet instead of lime sherbet. The punch will be icier and less creamy, but still festive.
How do I make this less sweet?
Use lemon-lime sparkling water instead of lemon-lime soda, or replace half of the soda with plain sparkling water. You can also add a little extra fresh lime juice to balance the sweetness.
Can I add alcohol for adults?
Yes, for an adults-only version, vodka or white rum can be added to individual glasses. Keep the main punch bowl nonalcoholic if kids or non-drinkers are present, and label everything clearly.
What size punch bowl do I need?
Use a bowl that holds at least 4 quarts. The punch makes about 12 cups once the sherbet begins to melt, and you need extra room for foam and stirring.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
12 servings
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat1 g
- 1%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol1 mg
- 0%
- Sodium23 mg
- 1%
- Total Carbohydrate39 g
- 14%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars33 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium30 mg
- 2%
- Iron0.3 mg
- 2%
- Potassium205 mg
- 4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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