Halloween Party Magic: Make a Wicked Wine Cauldron + Ghostly Garnishes
Channel your inner spellcaster to magic up a wine-dispensing cauldron along with tastefully terrifying (and delicious!) liqueur-soaked fruit garnishes.
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-beauty-horiz.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808337917.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/profiles/editors/Camille-Smith/Headshot-1.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.85.suffix/1420662324005.jpeg)
Materials Needed
- plastic cauldron
- box of red wine
- large green grapes
- apple, any variety
- black raspberry liqueur
- long bamboo skewers
- drill, fitted with a large drill bit
- utility knife or box cutter
- grapevine wreath
- string of orange mini lights
- glass pie plate or shallow bowl
- dry ice
- tongs (for safely handling dry ice)
- paring knife
- chalk pencil or marker
- bubble wrap or plastic grocery bags
Watch the Video
![Wicked Wine Cauldron](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/5/52/522/5222/5222019.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.85.suffix/1660760371239.jpeg)
Create Apple Skulls
Wash and dry apple(s). Cut into long, vertical slices, each about 1/2" thick and discard the center cut containing the core. Cut away the sides of the apple slice to create a basic skull shape. Using a paring knife, and without cutting all the way through the apple, carve two eye holes near the top of the skull (Image 1), then carve in a grid pattern for the mouth (Image 2).
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-cutting-apple-skull.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808335500.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-cutting-apple-skull-mouth.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808335880.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
Create Grape Ghosts
Wash and dry grapes. Using a paring knife, carve a pair of circular eyes, followed by an open mouth into one side of the grape.
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-cutting-grape-skulls.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1539808336232.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
Soak, Then Skewer
Liqueur-soaked fruit is a delicious complement to red wine; soak overnight for maximum flavor (Image 1). Tip: Soaking in a colorful liqueur, like the deep burgundy hue we chose, highlights the faces' carved features and gives the fruit a ghastly appearance. Before guests arrive, slide 1 apple skull and 1 grape ghost onto bamboo skewers and display on a platter (Image 2).
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/18/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-soak-fruit.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539887459296.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-skewering-garnish.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808335421.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
Cut Hole for Wine Tap
Pop out the circular cardboard tab (for the tap) from the wine box and use it as a template to mark where you'll cut the cauldron. Using chalk, mark about 1/2" out from the cardboard template to ensure the wine spout can easily slide through. Using a drill fitted with a sharp drill bit, create a series of holes inside the marked circle, then connect the holes using a box cutter or utility knife and pop out the cut circle.
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-drill-holes.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808335422.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-cut-hole-for-tap.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808336031.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
Add Wine Bag
Remove wine bag from box, insert in cauldron and pull tap through hole (Image 1). Add bubble wrap, plastic shopping bags or a towel to fill in the remainder of the cauldron to ensure the wine bag stays upright so it can properly drain as guests fill their glasses (Image 2).
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-pull-tap-thru.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808336215.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-add-bubble-wrap.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808337815.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
Complete Cauldron
Create a flaming base by tightly wrapping the grapevine wreath with a strand of orange mini lights. Set cauldron on top of wreath, then top with a glass pie plate filled with dry ice and water (Image 1). Get our tips for safely handling dry ice. For dramatic effect, you can even add a small bit of dry ice to wine glasses but be sure to warn guests not to drink till the dry ice has completely dissolved (Image 2).
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-blowing-dry-ice.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808336554.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-adding-garnishes.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808337336.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
Drink Up, Witches!
The self-service set up allows guests to help themselves while freeing you up to get your witch on and party like the undead.
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-beauty-drinking-wine.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808338089.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2018/10/17/0/original_Camille-Smith-wicked-wine-cauldron-beauty-biting-grape.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1539808337627.jpeg)
Gabriela Hardan