Active Time

　　15 min

　　Total Time

　　1 1/2 hr (includes steeping)

　　Punch is one of the easiest ways to set the Halloween mood—all you need is a cauldron, perhaps, or a pointy black hat and ice block "hands."Not every blend of fruit juices takes well to the with-or-without option of alcohol, but the combination of sparkling cider and cranberry juice cocktail, subtly enhanced with a spice syrup, both support an optional dose of dark rum.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 3 quarts

　　2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

　　5 whole cloves

　　3 tablespoons finely chopped peeled ginger

　　1/3 cup water

　　1/3 cup sugar

　　1 (25 1/4-ounce) bottle sparkling cider (about 3 1/4 cups), chilled

　　4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled

　　1 (1-liter) bottle club soda or seltzer, chilled

　　1 cup dark rum (optional)

　　Ice blocks in any shape (see cooks' note, below)

　　

Step 1

Bring cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, water, and sugar to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, uncovered, 1 hour.

　　

Step 2

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then chill until cold.

　　

Step 3

Combine all remaining ingredients, except ice, with syrup in a punch bowl. Add ice before serving.

　　Cooks' notes:

　　•To make hand-shaped ice, fill powder-free, latex-free rubber gloves with water and tie wrist end securely, then freeze.

　　•Syrup can be made 1 week ahead and chilled with spices. Strain before using.