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How to Make Edible Bloody Eyeballs

You're three ingredients away from a cocktail that stares back at you.
By Published Oct. 29, 2021

As a kid, I was a big fan of Halloween, especially the haunted cafeteria our school would set up. My favorite part? The table of “brains” and “eyeballs.” Sure, I liked all the candies, but I especially loved the covered bowls of peeled grapes that you were encouraged to stick your hand into and squeal in delight and disgust. They really did feel like eyeballs! I dreamed of one day hosting an extravagant Halloween party to rival the likes of my school cafeteria, complete with edible horrors that would both repulse and delight. 

While I have yet to host the full-blown spook-travaganza (though I do foresee a brain-shaped Jell-O mold in my future), I’m spook-ifying my drinks this Halloween. 

How, you may ask? Well, I’ll make my guests' drinks stare back at them with Edible Bloody Eyeballs. It’s easy!

Edible Bloody Eyeballs

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans lychees in syrup, drained (save the syrup for cocktails) 
  • 6 ounces (1¼ cups) blueberries 
  • Red food coloring 

You'll also need cocktail skewers (I like these “evil eye” ones) plus a bowl for serving (glass is great because you can see all the eyeballs).

  1. Take a whole lychee (the ones falling apart won’t work so well, so I just eat them as a snack) and carefully drop one or two drops of red food coloring into the hole in the center. I recommend wearing disposable gloves here, since the red food coloring can stain your fingers (unless you’re going for that look for your Halloween costume).
  2. Then, stick a blueberry into the center of the lychee; add a few drops of red food coloring around the edge of the blueberry as desired; and voilà, you have an edible, bloody eyeball! 
  3. Serve immediately (the red food coloring tends to seep out after a bit, so best plop them into a martini as soon as you dare!). 

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