Helter Selter Drink

Halloween is the time to get dressed up. And why not dress up your kids' pre-trick-or-treat beverage while you're at it? Make a mocktail for them, and then make a grown-up version of this spooky seltzer for yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 cup corn syrup
• 10 drops red food coloring
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 cans lychee nuts, drained (about 24)

• 24 maraschino cherries, chilled
• 24 skewers or toothpicks
• 1 liter seltzer water, chilled

Instructions

1. For the blood: In a small mixing bowl, add the corn syrup, food coloring and vanilla extract. Mix together well and sent aside.
2. For the eyeballs: Begin with the lychee nuts. Insert a maraschino into the hole of each lychee nut and drizzle with extra blood syrup. Insert a skewer or toothpick into each "eyeball" to secure the cherry.
3. For the mocktail: To serve the cocktail, drizzle the blood syrup around the rim of each glass and let it drip down. Pour the seltzer into the glass and garnish with an eyeball.
4. For the Eyeball Highball: Prepare the cocktail as noted above and add a splash of vanilla vodka.