Description

Have you ever wondered if a drink could look like it’s staring at you with spooky eyeballs but taste like a sweet, fruity treat? Picture a bright purple punch filled with floating lychees stuffed with blueberries that look like creepy eyes, perfect for a Halloween party.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a spooky, flavorful drink. Here’s what you’ll need, why each one matters, and some substitutions:

Blackberries (3 cups): Adds tart flavor and purple color.
- Substitution: Use raspberries or mixed berries.
Canned Lychees (18, from one 20-ounce can, plus 3/4 cup syrup): Creates the eyeball effect and adds sweetness.
- Substitution: Use fresh lychees (peeled) or canned pears (less authentic look).
Fresh Lemon Juice (1/4 cup): Brightens the flavor.
- Substitution: Use lime juice or bottled lemon juice.
Sweetened Acai Juice (2 cups): Adds rich berry flavor and color.
- Substitution: Use pomegranate or grape juice.
Blueberry Juice Cocktail (1 cup): Enhances the purple hue and sweetness.
- Substitution: Use more acai juice or cranberry juice.
Large Blueberries (18): Forms the “pupils” for the eyeballs.
- Substitution: Use small grapes or blackberries (cut to fit).
Lemon-Lime Soda (3 cups): Adds fizz and lightness.
- Substitution: Use sparkling water or ginger ale.
Spiced Rum or Gin (1 cup, optional): Adds an adult kick.
- Substitution: Use vodka or omit for non-alcoholic.

Why These Ingredients Matter

Berries provide vitamins C and antioxidants, making this punch a nutritious treat. The lychees and blueberries create a creepy eyeball effect, perfect for Halloween. The soda adds fun fizz, and the optional alcohol makes it adaptable for adult or kid-friendly parties. The ingredients are widely available and easy to swap for dietary needs, making this recipe versatile for spooky celebrations.

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Instructions

Step 1: Blend the Base

In a blender, puree 3 cups blackberries, 3/4 cup lychee syrup (from the can), and 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice until smooth.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing on the solids with a rubber spatula to extract all the juice.

Tip: Press firmly to get maximum juice from the berries.

Step 2: Mix the Punch

Add 2 cups sweetened acai juice and 1 cup blueberry juice cocktail to the strained blackberry mixture in the pitcher.
Stir well and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.

Tip: Chill longer for a colder, more refreshing punch.

Step 3: Make the Eyeballs

Gently push one large blueberry into the cavity of each of the 18 canned lychees to create “eyeballs.”

Tip: Work carefully to keep lychees intact.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Transfer the chilled punch to a punch bowl or large pitcher.
Add the blueberry-stuffed lychees to the punch.
Gently stir in 3 cups lemon-lime soda and 1 cup spiced rum or gin (if using).
Serve over ice in glasses, ensuring each gets 2-3 eyeballs.

Tip: Stir gently to keep the soda fizzy.