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The key to any good party is a signature cocktail. For Halloween that means something creepy, preferably straight out of my the witch's cauldron (aka crock pot). No need to spend the party heating up individual cocktails to order, what is this, a short order kitchen? Dust off your crock pot, it is Crocktober after all, and let it flex its muscles a little.


In the Benjamin house, the go-to fall cocktail is always a twist on apple cider. Don't let the cost of fresh apple cider send you packing immediately. A quick cost estimate...overall, this is a great alternative to the typical soda mixer. Party hosts tend to offer more than one option, costing them $5-$10 in mixers plus a variety of alcohols (rum, vodka) to please their guests. One gallon of apple cider is about $4, depending on sales, plus the cost of a single variety of alcohol. Seems like savings to me.

Drunken Apple Cider with Shrunken Heads

Prep Time 2 hours 10 min. hr., serves 8.

Ingredients

• 1 Gallon Fresh Apple Cider
• 8 Small Apples
• 1 Cup Pinnacle Salted Caramel Vodka

Instructions

1. Follow the recipe for making Shrunken Heads by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to dehydrate the apples (+/- 2 hours).
   TIP: For faster dehydrating time, cut apples in half from top to bottom before carving. This also means you only need 4 apples total.
2. In large crock pot, heat apple cider on lowest setting. Stir in shrunken heads.
3. When ready to serve, stir in vodka. For mixed crowd, serve apple cider with vodka on the side!
4. Be sure to serve this warm in a mug, with a head floating in each to really spook your guests. Cheers, enjoy!