October 13, 2023

Boos and Booze at upcoming Fernbank After Dark

To all the spooky season lovers and Halloween enthusiasts looking for things to do this year, Fernbank has quite a few! Not only do we have all the fun Halloween events that you can relish in, but we also have some activities and recipes you can make at home just in case you can’t make it or plan to host your own Halloween soirée.  Search no further as the recipes below are something to SCREAM about!

We have recipes for wickedly good cocktails, mocktails and even appetizers that will impress your guests and deem your Halloween gathering the best one of the year! We even included a spooky activitiy to add an extra flare. The catch is that not only can you make these at home, but you can also try these at our upcoming Fernbank After Dark: Boos and Booze, Friday, October 13 from 7 – 11 p.m.

Boo-berry Old Fashioned
Ingredients:

• 2 oz of whiskey (your favorite brand) *
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 4 fresh blueberries
• 2 dashes of orange bitters

*Mocktail: Substitute the whiskey with a black tea bag of your choice.

Instructions:

1. Muddle the blueberries in a glass with a fork or in a muddler if you have one available.
2. Add in the whiskey or black tea, simple syrup, and bitters.
3. Stir and strain over ice. Add two blueberries to garnish and serve.

 *If you are making the mocktail version of the Boo-berry Old Fashioned but want similar effects of the buzz, you can add in a couple drops of Kava extract, which can be found at your local Sprouts. This herb mimics the boozy effects but without the hangover or the intoxication. Please visit here to learn more about Kava. This mocktail recipe will not be available at Fernbank After Dark but is a fun substitute if you want to make this at home without alcohol.

Spooky Spinach Dip with Ghost Chips

Ingredients:

• 6 oz of cream cheese
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 10 oz of fresh spinach
• 1 tsp of garlic (minced)
• ½ tsp of salt
• ½ cup of parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cups of Mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp of parsley
• Red and yellow food coloring
• Tomatoes
• Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

Instructions:

*This recipe will yield 10 servings

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Spray a 1-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese and the sour cream well.
3. Add in the minced garlic, salt, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese into the cream cheese and sour cream mixture.
4. Mix in the spinach and add in a few drops of red and yellow food coloring.
5. Spread the dip evenly into the baking dish, place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until it is heated throughout.
6. Serve warm with blue tortilla chips.

Now that you are done preparing your potions and spooky spinach dip, it is time for you to dig up a ghoulish activity for your guests to enjoy. The activity below will have your guests calling you a mad scientist!

Boo Bubbles*

You Will Need:

• Dry Ice**
• Empty 2-liter bottle
• Warm water
• Heavy duty gloves
• Funnel
• Utility blade
• Small Plastic Cup
• Larger Plastic Cup
• Towel
• Rubber tube
• Dish washing liquid

*This activity requires adult supervision

**You can find dry ice at your local grocery store.

Instructions:

For video instructions click HERE

1. Use the blade to very carefully cut the top off the 2-liter bottle
2. Attach the rubber tube to the funnel
3. Use the blade to create a hole in the bottom of the smaller plastic cup
4. Attach the other end of the rubber tube in the hole you just made in the plastic cup
5. Create a soapy solution by mixing the dish soap and some of the warm water
6. Add warm water to fill about ¼ of the bottle and add a few pieces of the dry ice
7. Place the funnel that is attached to the tube on top of the bottle
8. Dunk the smaller plastic cup on the end of the tube into the bubble solution and watch what happens next!

These recipes and activities will be available to taste and try at our upcoming Fernbank After Dark: Boos and Booze. This event is 21+ only. Enjoy the museum after hours and witness so many other fun Halloween inspired activities and try other themed cocktails and food items.

The fun doesn’t stop though! Fernbank is also hosting Ghostly Gatherings on Saturday, October 14 from 7-10 p.m., which is available to all ages. You will have exclusive access to the outdoor experience, Woodland Spirits, as well as access to our new special exhibit, Vikings: Warriors of the Sea. Drinks (including adult beverages) as well as a variety of light bites and activities will be available.

To find out more about Fernbank’s Halloween Events please visit here: https://fernbankmuseum.org/Halloween