By Melissa Pette

Halloween celebration parties in Costa Rica are very common. So, it is the best time to have a drink to celebrate the darkest night of the year.

Today's recipe is shared by Anne and James McIntyre. 

The McIntyre’s traveled from the city of Inverness in Scotland, " the highland region and the coldest winter of all cities in the UK," as they said, to live in the heavenly Coco Beach in Guanacaste. 

Such a drastic lifestyle change!

They are inviting us to get drunk with this homemade punch.

The McIntyre’s said that this drink is related to ancient laws of Islamic states such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. 

The Hudud's law imposed punishments on people for committing crimes such as cheating or theft. 

In some types of theft penalty, the so-called Sariqa, the robber's hand was amputated. 

Well, this long introduction is to explain the origin of this mutilated hand thief punch.

So, let's go to the kitchen!

Thief mutilated hand punch

By Anne and James McIntyre,

From Inverness, Scotland.

To make a large bowl of Scottish punch the ingredients are:

• 1 cup and 3/4 white sugar or 400 grams.

• 1.5 liters of cranberry juice.

• 1 liter of scotch.

• 1 disposable latex glove.

• Red liquid food color (extra strength) or red jello instant powdered gelatin.

• A packet of gummy neon sour worms (optional).

• Fresh cranberries (optional).

First, wash the latex glove, then fill it with water, close it with a knot and let it freeze for an hour, or more if you have time.

In a large glass punch bowl, add the scotch, sugar, and cranberry juice. Stir a bit. Put the punch in the fridge for a half-hour.

When the hand is frozen, use a knife to cut the glove.

Before serving, add the hand into the punch bowl and add a few drops of red food coloring. If you can't find a food-liquid coloring, use red jello. Decorate the punch bowl top with gummy worms and fresh cranberries.

Tell me about your friend’s reactions to your thief's hand punch.

Have a Pura Vida Halloween!

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Find more tasty step-by-step Costa Rican food recipes on the AM Costa Rica Food & Good Eating page. You are invited to share your favorite recipes with a horizontal photo of the dish by emailing food@amcostarica.com.