Creepy Halloween Ice Cube Eyeballs
These frozen scary eyeballs are one of my favorite easy Halloween tricks! Made with just radishes and green olives, they float in drinks and look creepily real. I first made them years ago when my son was in middle school, and he had a blast with them. So simple, so spooky, and fun floating in everything from kids’ punch to grown-up Halloween cocktails.
I make these Creepy Halloween Ice Cube Eyeballs with red radishes and green olives stuffed with pimentos. It takes about 15 minutes to carve and assemble them, then I freeze them whole until they’re solid.
I don’t freeze them inside regular ice cubes because I think a round, free-floating eyeball looks much more authentic and freaky. Freezing the whole thing also helps it hold together and has the added bonus of chilling whatever drink it lands in.
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I still remember making these when my son was in middle school. He thought they were hilarious and loved using them to startle his friends. The only thing that worried him was the possibility that he might have to eat one. Ha! Nope—eating them was never required. I’m not even sure how radish and olive would taste together, and I’m perfectly happy not finding out. As scary floating eyeballs, though, they’re pure creepy fun.
Why you will love these Frozen Halloween Eyeballs:
These are one of those Halloween tricks that look like much more work than they really are.
- You only need two inexpensive ingredients.
- They take about 15 minutes to assemble before freezing.
- You can make them ahead and keep them frozen until the party.
- They work in punch bowls, individual drinks, and Halloween cocktails.
Key Ingredients:
The two ingredients that make these creepy frozen eyeballs so effective are red radishes and green olives stuffed with pimentos.
Red Round Radishes: I look for round radishes that are fairly similar in size. I scrape away most of the red skin but leave a few thin, uneven strips behind. Those little red streaks are what make the eyeballs look bloodshot.
Green Olives Stuffed with Pimentos: I use green olives with pimentos because one ingredient gives me both the green iris and that creepy little red center. Cut each olive in half and place it cut side out so the “eye” is staring back at you.
Equipment Needed:
- Small Sharp Paring Knife
- Tomato Stem Corer
- Ice Cube Tray
How to Make Creepy Frozen Eyeballs
These go together quickly. The full instructions are in the how-to card below, but here’s how I make them.
Trim the stem and root ends from each radish. Then use a small paring knife to carefully scrape away most of the red skin, leaving a few thin red stripes so the radish looks like a bloodshot, veined eyeball.
Use a tomato corer or a small paring knife to carefully carve a hole in the end of each radish that’s just large enough to hold half an olive.
Slice the olives in half and press one half, cut side facing out, into the hole of each radish.
Place the assembled eyeballs upright on an ice tray or in a container so they don’t tip over. Freeze them solid, then transfer them to a ziplock freezer bag and keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.
Expert Tips
There isn’t much that can go wrong here, but I’ve found a few little things make the eyeballs look better.
- Choose round radishes. Similar-sized, round radishes look much more like eyeballs. And don’t scrape away all the red skin—I purposely leave thin, uneven streaks to make them look bloodshot.
- Don’t make the olive hole too large. I like using a tomato corer because it makes a neat opening. If you use a paring knife, start small and enlarge the hole as needed. The olive should fit snugly enough that it doesn’t fall out.
- Freeze them upright first. I place them on an ice cube tray or in a small container so they don’t roll around. Once they’re completely frozen, I transfer them to a freezer bag.
When you’re ready to use them, just drop the frozen eyeballs straight into your punch bowl or individual glasses. I still get a kick out of how creepy something made from a radish and an olive can look.
More Halloween Recipes to Try
If you’re planning a Halloween party, I have a few more creepy treats you can add to the table. Try my Walking Dirt and Worms Pudding or Mummy Hot Dogs for the kids, bake a batch ofChocolate Peanut Butter Spider Cookies, or make an Oogie Boogie Cocktail for the grown-ups. You can also mix these eyeballs with Easy Skull Cubes or Spider Cubes for an extra creepy punch bowl.
When you’re ready to use them, just drop the frozen eyeballs into your punch bowl or individual glasses. I still get a kick out of how creepy something made from a simple radish and olive can look. They always get a reaction!
If you make these Creepy Halloween Ice Cube Eyeballs, I’d love to hear how you used them. Leave me a comment and a star rating below, and don’t forget to tag me on facebook so I can see your spooky Halloween drinks!
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- Red Radishes
- Green Olives with Pimentos
Instructions
- Cut off the stem and root ends off each radish
- Use a small knife such as a paring knife to scrape off most of the red skin of each radish and leave just enough red to give the radish a veined appearance.
- Rinse the radishes
- Cut the olives in half
- Either use tomato corer or use your knife to carve out a hole into the end of each radish large enough for the ½ olive
- Place a ½ olive, cut side out, into the hole
- Place on an ice tray or any container so the eyeballs stand up and place in freezer. After the eyeballs are frozen, place them in a ziplock freezer bag until ready to use
- Place either one or two in a glass of your favorite beverage or use several in a punch bowl for a “chilling” effect!
Nutrition
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