Slow Cooker Witch's Brew Recipe


Happy almost-Halloween!

We had a play date today, and my 5-year-old taste-testers couldn't get enough of this stuff.

The comments I overheard were priceless:
"it doesn't taste like there are spiders or lizards or bugs in it"
"how did your mom even know how to make this?"
"is my tongue green yet?"
"I've never had ice cream in a drink before"
"I guess this is why witches have green faces"



This is a super easy hot beverage to whip up, and tastes like a lovely citrus cocktail.

I'm sure you could put a shot or two of something in there if you are planning on serving adults.



The Ingredients.

serves 8-10

  • 2 quarts apple juice
  • 2 quarts pineapple juice (or thereabouts. the canned holds 1 quart, 14 oz)
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 box (6 ounces) lime jello powder
  • 5-6 whole star anise *
  • orange sherbert (to add before serving)

* I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase star anise if you don't already have it in the house. It looks neat floating in the pot (like little spiders), and provides a touch of a licorice taste, but not enough to justify the expense. If you really want a tad bit of licorice flavor, throw in a few jelly beans and call it a day.


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The Directions.

You will need a 5.5 quart or larger slow cooker. If you only have a smaller one in the house, you'll need to cut down the juice quantities.

Pour in the juices, and add the allspice.

Stir in the jello powder, and float the star anise (if using) on top.

Cover and cook on low for about 5 hours, or on high for about 3.

Serve with a scoop of orange sherbert ---it will cool the beverage down enough for small children to enjoy right away, and creates a fun foamy slimy film --- perfect for Halloween.


The Verdict.

Delicious. It's quite limey in flavor, and a really fun color.

I debated whether or not to thrown in a handful of grapes to mimic eyeballs, and am glad I decided not to. I think the possible choking hazard thing would worry me too much.

My little friends were thrilled with their after-school snack (I promise I fed them lunch before filling them up with sugar!) and I received many sticky hugs and thank yous.

I also taught them my favorite joke of all time:

What's Ernie's favorite ice cream?
SureBert !


hahahahahahaa

Have a fantastic Halloween. Be safe!

Our favorite Party Punch Recipe for Halloween! In the crockpot: combine apple juice, pineapple juice, green sherbet, star anise


Witches Brew CrockPot Slow Cooker Recipe

Witches Brew CrockPot Slow Cooker Recipe

Yield: 8-10
Author: Stephanie O'Dea AYearofSlowCooking.com
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 5 HourTotal time: 5 H & 20 M

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts apple juice
  • 2 quarts pineapple juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 box (6 ounces) lime jello powder
  • 5-6 whole star anise
  • orange sherbert (to add before serving)

Instructions

  1. You will need a 5.5 quart or larger slow cooker. If you only have a smaller one in the house, you'll need to cut down the juice quantities.
  2. Pour in the juices, and add the allspice.
  3. Stir in the jello powder, and float the star anise (if using) on top.
  4. Cover and cook on low for about 5 hours, or on high for about 3.
  5. Serve with a scoop of orange sherbert


Do you love this recipe?

Please share it with your friends!


Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at October 25, 2022

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What they say about this recipe

  1. We are hosting a kiddy Halloween party this Friday.... needed a drink just like this! Thanks!

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  2. That looks really yummy!

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  3. What a fun recipe...love all the recipes you provide on your blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Stay Cozy, Carrie

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  4. That is a great drink! I think I'd serve them garnished with a gummy worm coming out of the ice cream. :)

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  5. Thanks for the star anise tip...I will be making this without that since I don't have it on hand. Looks yummy!

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  6. Love it! (for both kiddies and adults w/ something extra)

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  7. This is absolutely adorable!

    I have got to make this for the neighbor girls and my son!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Hi Steph, just poppin in to say hi, hope you, baby and fam are well.

    xoxo

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  9. How fun! Got your cookbook in the mail this week... so excited to have it right in my kitchen so I don't have to keep dashing to my computer to look things up, since I use your recipes often. Well done!!

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  10. I hope you don't mind, but I linked the recipe on my facebook. If it's a problem, let me know and I'll remove it.

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  11. That looks so cute. I love it. I also love my crockpot more than some of my relatives, so your blog is very helpful!

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  12. I can't believe I JUST found your blog - as the mother of 5 and a full time business owner, I have NEEDED you for so long. Going to order the book asap.

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  13. This is a cute idea.

    But remember it's sherbet, not sherbert. ;-)

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  14. I love the feedback from your taste testers....sooo sweet!
    -Ali :)

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  15. This sounds delicious. Maybe I can get the ingredients and assemble it at the party we're going to. I love the idea of the sherbert.

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  16. This is going to be fun to make when we go trick-or-treating! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Thanks for the blog and your inspiration. (I won't be making witches' brew though)

    I love all words, which means that I read your entire archive over the past couple of weeks.

    And have used my slow cooker twice in that time (v.s twice per year)

    Such is my infatuation, that when I first read this recipe:
    http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2009/10/chicken-thighs-in-riesling.html

    I assumed it was for the slow cooker. and now it is! Extra veggies - check
    still frozen chicken - check
    hot peppers from a tube - check
    wine in the fridge - check
    late morning start to work - check
    dinner ready with 15 min prep - check

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  18. That's so cool!! And I love all the comments from the kidlets!

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  19. SO CUTE Stephanie!! That sound really delicious!! I love your joke! LOL

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  20. Your joke cracked up all of my sons; from the 25 year old down to the 11 year old.

    Good one!

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  21. I am definitely taking this to our Halloween Party on Saturday night! Thank you for sharing this FUN recipe!

    Angela

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  22. Anonymous10/28/2009

    I just got your book and love having it in my hands. I'm glad you left many of your comments in it. I know it will make a perfect Christmas gift too. I still have your blog on my favorites and go back to it often. Take care of yourself.
    Mary Ann Dove

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  23. I just bought a slow cooking lightly cook book and found your blog on the same day! Score :)

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  24. I will be making this without that since I don't have it on hand. Thanks for the star anise tip...

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  25. Anonymous10/30/2009

    Love this! On familyfun website they have a punch that looks similiar but has different ingredients. They floated swedish fish in it and soaked tapioca so they swelled and put them in as fish eggs... called it swamp something. I think the fish would do ok if added right before serving your warm punch???

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  26. I made this tonight for a party and it was a hit! Thanks for sharing this fun recipe!

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  27. I also made this for a Halloween party last night. HUGE hit. When I have an adult party, I'm going to add some spiced rum....YUM!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  28. I am so glad that I saw Shauna's post about your blog and cookbook. I have six children,a fulltime and a consulting job and write a blog so I seriously love my crockpot and am always looking for new recipes- I know mine will be bubbling away while I am at work thanks to you!

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  29. I made a half batch for my three goblins to have after a very chilly afternoon of trick or treating. They all loved it. Daddy and I loved the leftovers later in the evening with a little Canadian Club mixed in it.

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  30. Anonymous11/01/2009

    This was a little sweet for us. That much jello packs quite a punch. The fact that the orange sherbet makes it less sweet was telling for us. I'd 1/2 the jello, but it is a FANTASTIC swampy green. Love your site.

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  31. Just got your cookbook in the mail and while I still miss your daily blogging because I looked forward to your humourous comments, this is a real gem. Can't wait to do them. One day at a time, of course!

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  32. After cooking all these years I think I must be like many: I had never discovered my slow cooker; not until I picked up your book that is. Thank you. I am having a lot of fun with it but more than that it has bought home the maxim "protein should be cooked as slowly as possible". I.e., the meal is actually better-not just faster.
    I'm sure you've heard from others re your hard boiled eggs comment; I read some time ago how sublime eggs are if cooked at below boiling so I put mine in water, on low (180 degrees) til cooked thru and they were the best I've ever had, the texture was perfect. I also tossed some in a braise and they came out with the delicate flavor of the dish.

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  33. Lisa D.11/03/2009

    I made your Indian butter chicken last night. It was so delicious.

    I love the glass mug in the picture. Where can you buy a mug like that. I've been searching for years.

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  34. This was the favorite drink at the Halloween party we had. I bet you could use this as a Christmas drink if you used a red colored sherbet.

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  35. I totally love this blog site! The best I have seen in forever! Keep up the great work!

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  36. What a fun recipe! Thanks for sharing

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  37. Anonymous10/31/2012

    This recipe has been an annual treat for our neighborhood pot luck before trick or treating since I first saw it in 2009. The kids ask for it now and are excited to see me in my witch's costume. I add a shot of rum for the adults. ;) Thank you so much for this recipe. And the star anise does last in my cupboard, so I think it is worth it.

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  38. I could so picture you reciting the "Double Double toil and trouble" line while wearing a witch's hat and cloak and cackling evilly as you made this LOL :-P

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  39. Yum, Slow Cooker Witch's Brew looks amazing! Lots of great flavors, I definitely need to try this.

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  40. Love this recipe :)

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  41. You could also do a dark (almost black) color profile for the drink instead a green one by using a gallon of 100% concord grape juice and maybe black cherry Jell-O (can use the sugar-free kind if you have diabetics in your household)

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