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Spooky Sangria





Hands-on Time
30 mins




Chill Time
1 day




Total Time
1 day 30 mins

What could be more fun than a cauldron full of seething, smoking sangria? It’s delicious and wickedly strong (use more sparkling water if you want to dilute it a little). Although dry ice is not toxic, it’s dangerous to swallow chips because of the extremely low temperature. Using a chunk of the ice, and wrapping it in cheesecloth, avoids that problem.

This recipe, and others like it, can be found in the article “44 Scary-Good Halloween Treats.”

 2 oranges, thinly sliced
 2 apples, cored and thinly sliced
 2 bottles (750 ml. each) red wine
 1/2 cup brandy
 1/2 cup triple sec or Cointreau
 1 cup pomegranate juice
 1/4 cup simple syrup
 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses* (optional)
 2 to 4 cups sparkling water, at room temperature
 1 2-lb. chunk of dry ice*
Step 1
1

In a large jar or sealable pitcher, mix together all ingredients except sparkling water and dry ice and chill overnight.

Step 2
2

Let sangria come to room temperature, then pour into a large cast-iron footed dutch oven or a punch bowl. Let come to room temperature, then pour in sparkling water.

Step 3
3

Line a colander with cheesecloth. Using tongs, set ice chunk in cheesecloth, then tie ends of cheesecloth over ice (don't touch the ice).

Step 4
4

Lower dry-ice parcel into cauldron. Carbon dioxide gas (harmless at this concentration) should start to billow forth immediately and will last about a half-hour. Replenish dry ice parcel if needed.

Step 5
5

*Pomegranate molasses deepens the flavor and color of the sangria. Find it at well-stocked grocery stores, Middle Eastern markets, and online. Dry ice is available at many grocery stores, often sold by the pound or in 5-lb. chunks. To break it, put it in the sink and crack with a chisel and hammer, and use tongs (not your hands) to pick it up.