For a tasty and spooky Halloween-themed alcoholic drink try a Hocus Pocus Cocktail. It is exactly what the Sanderson sister witches of Hocus Pocus would brew up to celebrate. This fun drink is sweet, spiced, & finished with dry ice for an eerie fog. The Hocus Pocus drink will come alive as it bubbles and gurgles! Ensure your Halloween doesn't go "Amuck, amuck, amuck!" and serve these up!
This spicy rum martini is bright red thanks to a yummy punch. Think of it as the ultimate Halloween rum punch. It has a green sugared rim that is colorful and bright to celebrate the holiday. The final touch of a dry ice cub ensures this drink is more than just a bunch of hocus pocus.
This cocktail is inspired by the original Hocus Pocus movie (with a new Hocus Pocus 2 in 2022). Thanks to the eerie effect the dry ice gives this martini, it is perfect for Halloween, All Hallows' Eve, the feast of All Hallows' Day, or All Saints' Eve. Any spooky or scary party or event will be an amazing time to serve this Hocus Pocus cocktail.
This is one of many dry ice cocktail recipes that I just love for Halloween. It is fun to have something festive and interactive at a costume party. This drink like the others will be the star of the party, well maybe second to the fun costumes everyone is wearing to celebrate.
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Ingredients
To mix up this Halloween cocktail, you only need 2 ingredients but 4 are recommended. This recipe is made with a yummy sweet tropical punch plus some spiced rum. I am using Sailor Jerry for the rum. I am also using a punch concentrate by Hawaii's Own since this is a family favorite. That is all we need to shake up these Halloween martinis.
Optional but I think mandatory, is lime and some green sugar sprinkles. Those will help decorate the martini glasses into a more festive glass.
- Spiced Rum
- Fruit Punch
- Lime
- Green-Colored Sugar
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This drink is seriously so easy to make. Thanks to it only being two ingredients, in no time you will be saying "Come...we fly!" and down the hatch, these yummy drinks will go!
Gather all the ingredients & equipment needed to make the cocktail. You will need 2 large martini glasses, a shot glass, a shallow small plate, and a cocktail shaker.
Place dry ice cubes or chunks in a glass bowl. Have tongs ready for when it comes time to drop them in the drinks.
On a shallow plate pour in some colored sugar. Sliced the lime into wedges.
Rub the lime wedge on the edges of each martini glass. Next, roll the glass into the plate of sugar to coat the rim.
Once the glasses are ready, add ice to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.
To the cocktail shaker add the 4 ounces of spiced rum & 2 cups of the punch. Place the lid on tight and shake for 15 seconds.
Remove the top cap to pour through the tiny strainer. Pour equal parts into the two prepared martini glasses. The glasses should be about ¾ the way full so there is room for the dry ice and the fog to build up.
Adding the Dry Ice
Now it is time to add a small piece of dry ice and watch the action! Using the tong, carefully drop a small piece or chunk into each glass. It should activate immediately sending pillowy clouds of smoke into the air. Flowing fog ripples will form around and down the glass as it bubbles over. Plus you can hear it gurgle, bubble, and brew - the perfect potion for sipping any Halloween.
Let the dry ice sink to the bottom or dissolve before drinking. Do not try to consume the dry ice.
Dry Ice Safety
Dry ice safety is important. First off - DO NOT DRINK or consume dry ice. It may burn externally or internally. It also releases a gas that you do not want to ingest! You want dry ice to settle to the bottom of the drink for an effect. It is not to be consumed and will take a bit of time to dissolve. Sip from the top and do not try to eat or chew the dry ice.
Use tongs when handling the dry ice to be safe. As soon as you drop a small piece into the liquid it will begin to sizzle, melt, and that classic smoke will begin to rise and billow out of the top of the cocktail. Make sure your guests are around to see it - get all the "ooohs and aaaahs!".
Hint: try this Dry Ice Finder to help locate your nearest location to purchase dry ice.
Variations
Here are a few simple things you can change up with this recipe and it will still be amazing. You for sure want to have the dry ice but you can switch up the type of glass and what brand of spiced rum you use. Try one of these in a pinch if you find yourself craving a Hocus Pocus cocktail.
- Martini Glasses - if you do not have martini glasses you can serve this in a high-ball/Collins or rocks glass.
- Spiced Rum - instead of Sailor Jerry, you can use Captain Morgan's, Kraken, Bacardi, or Calypso.
For a mocktail recipe, try my Hocus Pocus Kid-Friendly Punch. It is fruity & kid-approved. The non-alcoholic version is sparkling & sweet. No dry ice in this one since carbonation and dry ice = volcano of messiness! But I have a way around that so the kids can still enjoy some dry ice magic.
Equipment
For this cocktail recipe, you will need a cocktail shaker, martini glasses, and a shot glass. Here are a few items I recommend for every home bar. They are reasonably priced and of great quality. So you will have them for a long time and enjoy many a drink with these items.
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FAQ
Yes, you can still make this cocktail recipe without the dry ice. It will taste just as great but will not have the fantastic flowing smoke effect.
I like the spiced rum in this recipe because there is something about it that just seems Fall-like. Since those flavors are common during the month that Halloween falls on, spiced rum gives it more of a festive flavor. However, if you don't have spiced rum or are not a fan, I suggest replacing it with dark rum. It has a more intense flavor so the drink is not too sweet.
The Hocus Pocus beverage is made with a tropical fruit punch. You can use any red punch combination that you like. However, do NOT use a carbonated fruit punch. Carbonation and dry ice create a reaction that will send the liquid shooting in the air - think mentos + cola = boom!
Hocus Pocus Cocktail
Equipment
- 2 Martini Glasses
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Sailor Jerry spiced rum
- 2 cups Tropical Fruit Punch I used Hawaii's Own concentrate & made it per the can's instructions
- 1 lime
- green-colored sugar
Instructions
- Place dry ice cubes or chunks in a glass bowl. Have tongs ready for when it comes time to drop them in the drinks.
- On a shallow plate pour in some colored sugar. Sliced the lime into wedges.
- Rub the lime wedge on the edges of each martini glass. Next, roll the glass into the plate of sugar to coat the rim.
- Once the glasses are ready, add ice to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.
- To the cocktail shaker add the 4 ounces of spiced rum & 2 cups of the punch. Place the lid on tight and shake for 15 seconds.
- Remove the top cap to pour through the tiny strainer.Pour equal parts into the two prepared martini glasses. The glasses should be about ¾ the way full so there is room for the dry ice and the smoke to build up.
- Pour equal parts into the two prepared martini glasses. The glasses should be about ¾ the way full so there is room for the dry ice and the smoke to build up.
- Using a pair of tongs, it is time to add a small piece of dry ice and watch the action! Carefully drop a small piece into the glass.
- Enjoy your drink and remember DO NOT CONSUME DRY ICE. Let the dry ice melt or sink to the bottom and carefully sip your Hocus Pocus Cocktail.
Wozzie says
First time working with dry ice and I was a bit nervous. The husband helped & it ended up being fun. The drink is sweet for sure. We like spiced rum so added extra. Glug glug.
Angela says
I admit I was a bit nervous too when I first started working with dry ice. I am glad you tried it and enjoyed the drink.