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Halloween punch with a frozen gelatin hand floating in a punch bowl

Halloween Punch with a Frozen Hand

This is a dramatic party drink: a frozen “hand” floating in a deep red cranberry punch. The hand is made by freezing gelatin inside a disposable glove. A homemade ginger, cinnamon and clove syrup gives the punch a warm, spiced flavor, and it works with or without vodka. It serves 16.

  • Total Time: 24 hours

Ingredients

For the frozen hand

  • Disposable glove (1 large): It must be powder-free and food-safe. More on this below.
  • Water (2½ cups / 600 ml), divided: ¼ cup cold, 2¼ cups boiling.
  • Unflavored gelatin powder (2½ packets, 0.25 oz / 7 g each): About 17–18 g total.

For the ginger syrup

  • Water (½ cup / 120 ml)
  • White sugar (½ cup / 100 g)
  • Fresh ginger (2 oz / 55 g): Peeled and thinly sliced.
  • Cinnamon sticks (2)
  • Whole cloves (5)

For the punch

  • Cranberry juice (2 quarts / about 2 liters), chilled
  • Sparkling water (2 quarts / about 2 liters), chilled
  • Vodka (1¼ cups / 300 ml), chilled: Optional. Leave it out for a non-alcoholic punch.

Instructions

  1. Prep the glove. Wash and rinse the outside of the glove, then turn it inside out.
  2. Bloom. Pour ¼ cup cold water into a large bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over it, and let stand for 1 minute.
  3. Dissolve. Bring the remaining 2¼ cups water to a boil. Pour it over the gelatin, stirring until fully dissolved. Cool slightly.
  4. Fill. Use a funnel to pour the mixture into the glove, making sure every finger is filled. Secure the top with a rubber band.
  5. Freeze. Lay the glove on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, 1–2 days.
  6. Syrup. Combine ½ cup water, the sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a small saucepan. Boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and let cool.
  7. Mix. Combine the cranberry juice, sparkling water, and vodka (if using) in a punch bowl. Stir in half the ginger syrup, then add more to taste.
  8. Unmold. Dip the frozen hand briefly in warm water, cut off the top of the glove, and peel it away carefully.
  9. Serve. Float the frozen hand in the punch and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Gelatin sheets: Use 8 leaves. Soak in cold water for 5 minutes, squeeze, melt over low heat, then mix with 1½ cups (360 ml) of cold water.
  • Filling trick: Stretch the glove over the rim of a glass or jar to hold it while you pour.
  • Juice swaps: Any dark juice works, such as pomegranate, cranberry, or dark grape.
  • Non-alcoholic: Omit the vodka and add 1¼ cups of ginger ale or sparkling water.
  • Glove safety: Use powder-free, food-safe nitrile gloves, not latex.
  • Author: SOFIA
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Drinks, Cocktails
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American