Introducing a bewitching brew that will add a ghoulishly delightful twist to your Halloween gatherings—Shrunken Head Spiced Apple Cider. This eerie beverage is not only delicious with comforting flavors of apple, cinnamon, and cloves but also boasts a creepy visual appeal.
Crafted to resemble shrunken heads, this macabre masterpiece will take center stage at your Halloween party, capturing the imaginations of your guests as they sip on this uniquely spiced drink.
Perfect for both children and adults, this recipe promises to cast a spell of enchantment over your festivities. Unearth the secrets to this chillingly delicious potion and elevate your Halloween celebration to a whole new level of spooktacular delight.
Spiced apple cider may be the quintessential fall drink. While, you could use your own homemade apple cider, we used grocery store, store-bought apple cider because we are real people that don’t have a ton of time. Just like you!
However, if you feel extra ambitious, here are the general steps of making homemade cider in your kitchen.
How to make homemade apple cider
Gather your ingredients and supplies: whole apples, water, containers, grinder or food processor, press or juicer, cheesecloth or strainer.
Wash and prepare the apples. You can choose to either leave peels on or to peel. Leaving peelings on the apples produces a more colorful and flavorful cider.
Crush or Grind the apples into a fine pulp, the finer, the better.
Place pulp in a press or a juicer to extract the juice.
Filter the juice through cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.
Place into clean containers.
How to Store Homemade Apple Cider?
Unopened Fresh Apple Cider. Unopened, fresh apple cider (without preservatives) typically has a relatively short shelf life. It’s best to consume it within 7-10 days if stored in the refrigerator. The exact duration may vary depending on the cider’s freshness and how it’s handled.
Unopened Pasteurized Apple Cider: Pasteurized apple cider, which has been heat-treated to kill bacteria and extend its shelf life, can last longer. When unopened, it can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks to a few months, depending on the specific product and its expiration date. Always check the label for the manufacturer’s recommended use-by date.
The Best Way to Store Apple Cider
Refrigerate
The best way to store homemade apple cider is in the refrigerator.
Use clean, airtight containers to store the cider. Glass jars, plastic containers, or food-grade plastic bottles work well. Fill the containers almost to the top, leaving very little airspace. This reduces the exposure to oxygen, which can lead to spoilage.
Ensure the container’s lid or cap is tightly sealed to prevent air from getting in. It is best to label the container with the date when the cider was made to keep track of its freshness.
Avoid Light: Keep the cider in a dark or opaque container or store it in a dark part of the refrigerator. Light exposure can cause the cider to deteriorate.
Regular Checks: Periodically check the cider for signs of spoilage, such as off odors, mold, or unusual appearance. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard the cider.
You Can Freeze Homemade Cider
If you want to store homemade apple cider for an extended period, consider freezing it.
Leave some space at the top of your containers to allow for expansion as the liquid freezes. Place the containers in the freezer. Homemade apple cider can be kept in the freezer for several months, if not longer.
Thaw the cider in the refrigerator when you’re ready to use it.
While refrigeration and freezing can help preserve it for a while, it’s best to use your homemade cider within a few weeks to enjoy it at its freshest.
What’s the difference between apple cider and hard apple cider?
The main difference between hard apple cider and regular apple cider, or basically apple juice, is that hard apple cider is fermented. Once the juice is pressed out and filtered, it is put in a fermentation container and yeast is added. When it ferments, alcohol is produced by the yeast by consuming the sugars. Hard cider is alcoholic while regular apple cider or juice is not.
How to Make Shrunken Head Apple Cider for a Party:
This is an easy hot apple cider recipe, or cold! Made especially spooky with the shrunken heads, but you wouldn’t have to make this a scary punch. You basically make the shrunken heads from apples then you place them in a dehydrator or oven and place them into your spiced cider.
It’s minimal prep time and the results are so much fun. This is so much more fun than just plain apple slices in your punch bowl. Let me break down the steps below:
Select your fresh apples for making the shrunken heads. We used about 4 or 5 apples.
How to Dry Shrunken Head Apples
Creating shrunken apple heads is a fun and somewhat eerie craft project, especially popular around Halloween. These shrunken heads are typically made from peeled and dried apples. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to dry apples for shrunken heads:
Materials You’ll Need:
- Apples (use small, firm apples like Granny Smith)
- Lemon juice (for preventing browning)
- Peeler or paring knife
- Small round objects for eyes (e.g., cloves, peppercorns, or small beads)
- A carving tool or knife
- A bowl of water
- String or twine
- A large needle
Instructions:
Select and Prepare Your Apples:
Choose small, firm apples for your shrunken heads. Granny Smith apples are a popular choice because of their pale color.
Wash the apples to remove any dirt or residue.
Peel the Apples:
Use a peeler or a paring knife to carefully peel the apples. Remove the stems. Cut apples in half. Try to create a shape that resembles a face or head. Cut out holes for the eyes, mouth, and nose if desired. Leave a bit of the peel at the bottom to form a neck.
Prevent Browning:
To prevent the peeled apples from browning, immediately dip them in a mixture of water and lemon juice. This will help preserve the natural color.
Carve the Features:
Use a carving tool or knife to carve facial features onto the apples. Create eyes, a nose, a mouth, and any other details you’d like.
Insert small, round objects (cloves, peppercorns, or beads) into the eye sockets for eyes. You can secure them with a bit of toothpick if necessary.
Dry the Apples:
We used a dehydrator. Place face up in a dehydrator for 6-12 hours, longer if you have more apples
Alternative Drying Method:
Hang the carved apples by their “necks” using a piece of string or twine.
Find a cool, dry, well-ventilated area to hang the apples. Make sure they won’t touch each other.
Allow the apples to air dry for several weeks. The drying time may vary depending on your environment’s humidity and the size of the apples. You’ll know they are ready when they are hard and shrunken.
Finish and Display:
Once your shrunken heads are fully dried and hardened, carefully remove them from the strings.
Optionally, you can paint the heads to add more details or distress them for a more aged appearance.
Display your shrunken apple heads in a decorative bowl, as hanging decorations, or anywhere else you like, especially for Halloween.
Remember to be cautious when using sharp objects like knives and carving tools. This project can be a fun and creative way to decorate for Halloween, but it should be done with care, especially if you involve children.
How to Make Shrunken Head Spiced Apple Cider Recipe
Prepare your spiced cider following recipe below.
Have your shrunken heads dried and read to go. Check that “heads” are ready. They should have shrunken by 50% or more and be firm to touch.
Pour cider into a serving bowl
Gently place shrunken heads face up. Garnish with whole cloves, whole cinnamon sticks, and orange peel or lemon peel if desired.
Enjoy!
How is apple cider vinegar made?
Apple cider vinegar is made through a natural fermentation process that begins with fresh apple juice. First, ripe apples are crushed to extract their juice, which contains natural sugars.
Then, yeast is introduced into the juice, which converts these sugars into alcohol in a process called alcoholic fermentation. As the alcohol content rises, acetic acid bacteria, primarily acetobacter, are introduced.
These bacteria convert the alcohol into acetic acid through a secondary fermentation process known as acetic acid fermentation.
Over several weeks, the acetic acid bacteria continue to work, and the liquid gradually transforms into vinegar. This liquid is then strained and filtered to remove any remaining solids, resulting in the creation of apple cider vinegar, known for its tangy flavor and numerous culinary and household uses.
Apple Cider FAQ’s
Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you as you prepare your best apple cider for your guests.
How do you keep apple cider warm for a party?
You can keep apple cider warm or hot in a warming coffee pot or beverage dispenser, in a slow cooker on low, or on your stovetop if you have a very low setting or a keep warm setting for your kettle.
What alcohol goes good in apple cider?
Rum, brandy, and whiskey go well in apple cider. Any liquor on the sweeter side tends to go well in apple cider. Spiced rum is particularly good.
A Few More Fun Recipes to Make for a Fall Party
How to Make Professional Caramel Apples
Apple Cider Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned Cocktail
Easy 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread Recipe with Glaze
Halloween Dirt Cake Recipe with Gummy Worms
Spiced Apple Cider Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 1 Gallon of Apple Cider
- 4-6 Sticks Cinnamon
- 4-6 Whole Cloves
- 4 Allspice Berries
- 1-2 Oranges sliced (can use lemon)
- 1/2 Brown sugar or maple syrup to sweeten or to taste
Instructions
Method 1
- In a large stock pot or kettle, combine apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, oranges, and brown sugar. Place spices and orange slices in a cheesecloth pouch for easy removal. Simmer over medium to high heat for half an hour. Check the spice level is to your liking and adjust as needed. Once you’re satisfied, remove the spices and serve hot. If you will be serving this later or desire it cold, pour into an airtight container once it has cooled and store it in the refrigerator. You can also reheat the cider to serve it hot in a slow cooker or coffee pot.
Method 2
- This method won’t produce as heavily spiced of a cider, but is much more handy, especially if you will serve it cold. In a 1.5 to 2 gallon container, pour your apple cider. Then add the whole ingredients including the sweetener. Shake to dissolve the sugars. Let stand in the refrigerator in an airtight container at least overnight before serving. Best enjoyed on a crisp autumn day or at your next gathering! Feel free to adjust ingredient amounts to your personal preference.
