Witches Brew Punch for Halloween: Serve a Crowd From a Keg
The easiest way to serve witches brew punch at a Halloween party is to mix it once in a keg and pour it from the tap. The Gloria 7L keg holds 1.8 gallons (236 oz), which is about 39 six-ounce drinks, so the host spends the night with guests instead of refilling a punch bowl.
Gloria Keg was created so hosts could spend more time together instead of constantly stepping away to mix drinks. This guide shows how to batch a Halloween punch in Gloria, which spooky recipes to start from in Gloria’s recipe library, and what to avoid so the tap pours all night smoothly.
What Is Witches Brew Punch?
Witches brew punch is a big-batch Halloween drink: a juice base, a spirit or a non-alcoholic base, and something fizzy on top. The point of a punch is that you make it once and everyone helps themselves. A keg does that job better than a bowl, because the drink stays covered, stays carbonated and pours from a tap instead of a ladle.
Why Serve Halloween Punch From a Keg?
Gloria is built for serving batched cocktails, and it suits a party for a few reasons:
One batch, many drinks. The 7L Gloria pours about 39 six-ounce drinks. The Big G (10L) pours about 56.
No glass, no mess. Gloria is made for glass-free, mess-free transport and dispensing of any beverage.
Easy to label. The 7L Gloria and the Big G come with a white chalk marker, so you can write “Witches Brew” right onto the black rubber of the keg.
Portable. Gloria was made to be taken anywhere, whether that is a backyard, a cookout or a friend’s house.
Everything included. Each keg ships with “everything you need but the drink.”
Two Halloween Batches From Gloria’s Recipe Library
Gloria’s recipe library includes two Halloween recipes you can serve as your witches' brew.
Gloria O’Lantern
A pumpkin-spice style batch with just two ingredients:
1.75 L Fireball
1.36 L cans pineapple juice
Crimson Spell
A deep red batch with a ginger kick:
1 L Irish whiskey
1 L Sloe Gin
64 oz cranberry/cherry juice
15 oz lime juice
8 cans ginger beer, or 2.5 L ginger ale for a little less spice
The recipe lists the carbonated item last on purpose. That keeps the bubbles in the drink.
How to Mix Witches Brew Punch in Gloria
Gloria’s recipes use the same method every time, and you can use it for any punch you invent:
Lock or remove the tapper. Do this before you mix.
Pour the ingredients in the order they are listed. Put carbonated items last to preserve the bubbles, and pour them slowly.
Put the lid on and gently roll the keg to mix. You can also shake it gently.
Check the pressure. Gloria works best at 5 to 7 psi. If the pressure runs higher, pull up the pressure release valve ring on the lid to bring it back down.
Pour over ice. The keg is designed to keep cocktails fresh and carbonated, and you pour them over ice.
Some recipes settle or separate a little. If Gloria sits for a day or two before the party, give her a gentle shake before you pour.
What Not to Put in the Keg
Halloween drinks often come with garnishes like fruit slices, herbs or sticky syrups. Keep them out of the keg. Gloria’s pickup tube is only 1/4 inch wide, and thick liquids, seeds, herbs and drinks with a lot of pulp will clog it. Anything else goes. Put the garnish in each cup instead.
Make a Non-Alcoholic Witches Brew
Gloria is not only for cocktails. It also pours mocktails, juice and soda, so you can fill a second keg for kids and non-drinkers. Use the same pour order: juices first, carbonated items last, pour slowly, then roll gently to mix. A second labeled keg keeps the two drinks easy to tell apart.
How Much Punch Do You Need?
A Halloween party with a large guest list may call for the Big G or for two kegs. You can put as little or as much liquid in Gloria as you like, because the CO2 pressurizes the keg to the level of the liquid.
CO2 and Setup
The 7L Gloria uses 16 g threaded CO2 cartridges, and one cartridge empties one full keg. Three come with the keg. If you plan to run more than one batch, pick up a 10-pack of 16 g cartridges for $15. The Big G uses a 500 g canister that lasts about 30 kegs. Use CO2 only, never nitrogen.
Keep the Punch Fresh
Because the contents are under pressure and no oxygen gets in, the drink lasts as long as the keg does. If your ingredients are shelf stable, the carbonation will last at least 3 weeks. If an ingredient needs refrigeration, put the keg in the refrigerator when it is not in use.
Clean Up After the Party
Gloria is food-safe stainless steel with a large opening, so cleaning is quick:
Flush hot water through the tap and down the pickup tube.
Remove the pour spout assembly.
Fill the keg with hot water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and let it soak for 10 minutes.
Dump the water, rinse and let the keg air dry fully.
Skip soaps, detergents and chemicals inside the keg, since they can contaminate your next drink.
If the Tap Will Not Pour
The most common mistake is attaching the regulator and the pour spout to the wrong posts. Remember: gas in, liquid out. Other causes are ball locks that are not fully seated, an empty CO2 cartridge, or a clogged pickup tube. The Gloria FAQ walks through each fix.
Ordering Before the Party
Gloria ships by ground through UPS or USPS, because federal law prohibits flying with compressed gases. Orders over $100 ship free, and Gloria does not currently ship internationally. Order well ahead of your party date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you serve witches brew punch at a party?
Mix the punch in a keg, add carbonated items last, and pour it from the tap over ice. Gloria’s 7L keg serves about 39 six-ounce drinks.
How many drinks does a Gloria keg make?
The 7L Gloria makes about 39 six-ounce drinks. The Big G 10L makes about 56.
Can I make a non-alcoholic punch in Gloria?
Yes. Gloria pours mocktails, juice, and soda as well as cocktails.
What should I keep out of the keg?
Thick liquids, seeds, herbs, and drinks with a lot of pulp, since they clog the 1/4 inch pickup tube.
How long does punch last in the keg?
If the ingredients are shelf-stable, the carbonation lasts at least 3 weeks. Refrigerate the keg if the ingredients need it.
Final Thoughts
Witches Brew Punch works best when you can make it ahead and pour it all night. Mix a Halloween batch, label the keg, keep the garnish in the glass, and let the tap do the work. Start with Gloria O’Lantern or Crimson Spell, or build your own, and enjoy the party with your guests.
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