Description
Witches Brew Lemonade: Conjure up a spellbinding drink! Tangy & spooky, its ideal for Halloween or a fun, vibrant treat. Easy recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 5–6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups cold water
- Flavor & Color Magic:
- 1 cup 100% black cherry juice
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp food-grade activated charcoal (optional, for darker color)
- Finishing Touches:
- 2–3 cups sparkling water or club soda, chilled
- Lemon slices, fresh cherries, or gummy worms (for garnish)
- Optional Extras:
- Food-grade dry ice (for smoky effect, use with caution)
Instructions
- Prep Your Potions:: First things first, get those lemons juiced, hon. I usually grab a big bowl and my trusty citrus reamer. You want about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice – it takes more lemons than you think, honestly. I always buy extra because, well, lemons are just happy little fruits, aren’t they? And sometimes I squeeze a rogue seed into the bowl, oops! Just fish it out. This step is key for a truly fresh Witches Brew Lemonade.
- Sweetening the Brew:: In a pitcher or large jar, combine your fresh lemon juice with the granulated sugar and 2 cups of cold water. Give it a good stir until the sugar completely dissolves. This is where I sometimes get impatient, but trust me, a little extra stirring now means no grainy sips later. I usually taste it at this point; if it’s too tart for your liking, a tiny bit more sugar won’t hurt for your Witches Brew Lemonade base. Keep stirring until it feels right!
- Adding the Dark Magic for Witches Brew Lemonade:: Now for the fun part! Pour in your black cherry juice. Watch that gorgeous color bloom! If you’re going for that super dark, almost black look, carefully whisk in a *tiny* pinch of food-grade activated charcoal. I mean a *tiny* pinch, like a quarter teaspoon, maybe less. I once added a whole teaspoon, and it looked like motor oil – tasted fine, but the visual was… intense. Mix until it’s evenly colored for your Witches Brew Lemonade.
- Chilling the Concoction:: Give the Witches Brew Lemonade a good stir and pop it into the fridge. We want it nice and cold, at least an hour, but honestly, a few hours or even overnight is better. The flavors really meld, and it gets that deep chill that makes it so refreshing. I usually make this part ahead of time, because who wants to be rushing when the spooky vibes call? A well-chilled Witches Brew Lemonade is a happy Witches Brew Lemonade.
- The Fizz Factor:: When you’re ready to serve, fill your glasses with ice. Pour about two-thirds full with your chilled Witches Brew Lemonade base. Top the rest of the glass with sparkling water or club soda. This is where the magic really happens – that gentle fizz lifts the flavors and makes it feel extra special. I love watching the bubbles dance! This step truly elevates the Witches Brew Lemonade from good to great.
- Mystical Presentation:: For the ultimate effect, add your garnishes. Lemon slices, fresh cherries, or those gummy worms I mentioned earlier? Yes! If you’re using dry ice, add a small piece to the serving pitcher (use tongs, never touch it directly!) just before serving for that eerie, smoky effect. Just be sure to tell everyone to let the dry ice dissipate before drinking from the pitcher, safety first, my dears! Your Witches Brew Lemonade is now ready to impress.