Brew Your Own Potion: 3 Halloween Tea Mocktails for the Whole Family

Halloween at our house is complete chaos. Three kids each with a whole week of a new costumes needed for every day (sometimes two a day). Endless candy and treats coming home from friends, classmates, neighbors and grandparents. And somehow our kitchen always turns into a mad scientist’s lab.

As a chef, my favorite part has always been the food and drink. Somewhere along the way it became a tradition for me to make a few “potions” made with things (mostly tea) we already have in our cabinets. No artificial colors, no syrups from a bottle, just real flowers and spices doing what they do naturally. The deep red, the electric blue, the way the color changes right in front of them... it’s the closest thing to real magic I’ve got.

Here are three of our favorites. All three are caffeine-free, so they work for everyone at the party, little monsters included.

1. Dracula's Nectar (Ruby Red Sparkler)

Deep, blood-red, and tart. This one looks the spookiest and tastes like a grown-up fruit punch.

You’ll need (serves 4): 

• 2 Tablespoons Hibiscus loose leaf (or Total Reset for a more herbal twist)
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup cherry, cranberry or pomegranate juice 
• 1 cup chilled sparkling water
• 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 cup berries (blackberries preferred)
• optional - rosemary sprigs for a fancy garnish

How to make it: 

1. Steep the hibiscus in boiling water for 10-12 minutes, then strain.
2. Stir in your sweetener while it’s warm, then chill.
3. Muddle ¼ cup berries at the bottom of the glass (save a few for garnishing)
4. Fill glasses with ice, then add ½ cup tea and ¼ cup juice.
5. Top with sparkling water - Optional: garnish with a rosemary sprig pierced through a berry

2. Witch's Brew (Color-Changing Potion)

This is the one the kids ask for every year. Butterfly Pea Flower brews a brilliant blue, and when you add something acidic like lemon, it turns purple right before your eyes.

You’ll need (serves 4):

• 2 Tablespoons Butterfly Pea Flower
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3 cups of lemonade (home made or store bought)
• ice
• clear glasses (you'll want to see the magic)
• optional: edible glitter

How to make it: 

1. Steep the butterfly pea flower for 5–7 minutes, strain, and chill.
2. Fill clear glasses with ice and ⅔ of the way with lemonade 
   
3. Hand everyone a small cup/ shot glass of blue tea (add edible glitter for a touch of extra magic)
4. Let each person pour their blue tea into their lemonade themselves.
5. Watch your potion magically swirl from blue to violet.

Chef’s tip: the more lemon you add, the more it shifts towards pink. Let the kids experiment, it’s half the fun.

3. Cauldron Cider (Warmed Apple Tea)

Great for cooler nights, waiting on the porch, or walking the neighborhood.

You’ll need (serves 12):

• 6 Teaspoons Cosmic Chai (or apple pie spices)
• 6 cups boiling water
• 6 cups apple juice
• ½ cup milk of choice
• Optional: orange peels/ twists

How to make it: 

1. Steep the tea for 5–7 minutes, then strain.
2. Add it to a pot or slow cooker with the apple juice
3. Keep it on low and ladle it out of your “cauldron” all night.
4. Splash your milk in to add creaminess
5. Optional: garnish with orange peels/ twists

Make It a Party

• Set up a potion bar. Put each brew in a pitcher with handwritten labels and let everyone mix their own.
• Brew ahead. All three teas can be made that morning and kept in the fridge.
• Go big on garnishes. A bowl of berries, citrus peels, and fresh herbs do the decorating for you.

However you’re celebrating this weekend, I hope there’s a little magic in your cup. If you make any of these, tag us @rxteaherb. I’d love to see your potions!

— Michelle