A Halloween B00-ffet is not complete without something good to drink. And since the weather is often a bit chilly near the end of October, I like to serve a couple of good warm drinks at my annual Halloween BOO-ffet. Of course, you also need to offer something cold, in addition to ice water (which should be offered at every buffet). These beverages should please even your most picky costume-clad visitors.

Just a note: As with all hot drinks, make sure you pour them into the cups and let them cool off a little; you don't want those little witches and goblins to burn their mouths!

Cold Halloween Drinks can be made very scary by first making a loose gel mixture with gelatin mix. I've included two great drinks that should make everyone very happy, but you can use the gel formula to make your own flavors, too; use your imagination.

Sinister Scorching Witch's Brew

Sinister Scorching Witch's Brew, my favorite of the warm Halloween drinks, is fast and easy, can be kept warm in either a slow cooker or on the stove, and the spice base can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to mix the ingredients. I have never met anyone who didn't like this spooky drink!

20 Servings

2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
2 large cinnamon sticks

1 1/2 cups sugar
10 cups hot water
1 12 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

In a saucepan, mix the 2 cups water, cloves, and cinnamon. Boil for 30 minutes; strain and discard spices. If not making the drink right away, refrigerate.

In large kettle, mix the strained spice liquid, sugar, 10 cups water, orange juice concentrate, and lemon juice. Simmer until ready to serve. Serve warm.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 91 Calories from Fat 0
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 0% Protein 2% Carb. 98%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 22 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 44% Calcium 0% Iron 1%

Bloodcurdling Blistering Brew

Warm spiced apple cider is good to serve from Halloween through New Years; this version is quick, easy, and good. A large percolator, is perfect for brewing this warm drink since the spices and fruit can be put in the basket; no straining necessary! If you don't have a percolator, a slow cooker works well, too.

12 Servings

3 quarts apple cider
1 cup brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 piece fresh ginger, (2") sliced
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 large orange

Pour the apple cider in a slow cooker; add the brown sugar, cinnamon stick, and ginger. Poke the cloves into the orange, then slice it and add it to the mixture. Turn the slow cooker to high and heat 2-3 hours.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 177 Calories from Fat 3
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 1% Protein 1% Carb. 98%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 3 mg
Total Carbohydrate 43 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 15% : 0% Iron 2%

Dracula's Blood

18 Servings

If you can find wax fangs, they can be frozen in an ice ring or just float in the punch.

2 3 oz. packages cherry gelatin
1 cup sugar
2 cups boiling water
4 cups cold water
1 package cherry flavored unsweetened drink mix (such as Kool-aid)
2 quarts cranberry juice cocktail, chilled

Dissolve the gelatin and sugar in the boiling water, stirring well. Stir in the cold water and unsweetened drink mix; transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate until the gelatin is nearly set, 2-3 hours. Alternatively, you can just leave the mixture on the counter and it will jell, but it will take much longer.

Pour the gelatin mixture into a punchbowl; stir in the cranberry juice cocktail.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 147 Calories from Fat 1
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 1% Protein 2% Carb. 97%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 32 mg
Total Carbohydrate 36 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 66% Calcium 0% Iron 1%

Green Goblin Slime

Freeze gummy worms with water in a bundt pan to make a cute ice ring to float in this punch.

24 Servings

2 3 oz. packages blueberry gelatin
2 cups boiling water
4 cups cold water
yellow food coloring
6 cups lemonade, chilled
2 quarts lemon-lime soda, chilled

Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, stirring well. Stir in the cold water and enough food coloring to make the mixture green; transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate until the gelatin is nearly set, 2-3 hours. Alternatively, you can just leave the mixture on the counter and it will jell, but it will take much longer.

Remove the gelatin from the refrigerator and pour it into a punch bowl. Stir in the lemonade and lemon-lime soda.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 171 Calories from Fat 2
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 1% Protein 6% Carb. 93%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 23 mg
Total Carbohydrate 40 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 3 g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 51% Calcium 0% Iron 3%