As part of its programming this year, the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival offered two Halloween-themed keiki cooking classes that quickly filled up. But planners agreed to share one festive recipe for kids to try at home. Fledgling cook Dara Ann Kimura, 10, tested the recipe and shared her thoughts:

This is an easy drink to make. Highly recommended for ages 3 and older, it has a scary but cute look. The recipe is so simple, an 8-year-old could do it independently (except for opening the can if you’re using canned lychee).

The versatility of the recipe makes it even easier to make, so it’s a perfect recipe for everyone.

It tastes excellent with whatever juice you choose, from Hawaiian Sun brand to Govinda’s to Arizona (use dark red or dark green juices to keep it Halloween-y, but it’s up to you).

Also, the blueberries and lychee can be homegrown or not, organic or not, and the lychee can even be canned.

The refreshing, fizzy drink is great in a punch bowl at a Halloween party.

Overall, I think this fun recipe is a great way to help kids celebrate a happy Halloween.

Courtesy Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival

• 18 ripe lychee, peeled and seeded (substitute with a 20-ounce can whole lychee, drained)
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 (16-ounce) bottle of choice (100 percent local juice preferred, such as Govinda’s brand)
• 3 (12-ounce) cans club soda (in a pinch, substitute with lemon-lime soda)
• Ice cubes

First, make the eyeballs: Carefully insert 1 or 2 blueberries (depending on size) into a lychee. You’ve made an eyeball! Continue filling all the lychee with blueberries. Set aside.

For soda, fill a clear cup halfway with juice. Top with club soda and mix. Add some ice and the lychee eyeballs. Carefully mix. Finish the drink with a paper straw and enjoy! Makes 6 8-ounce servings.

Variation: For a Halloween party, fill a punch bowl instead of individual cups.

Nutritional information unavailable.

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Keiki in the Kitchen

Where: Ko Olina Resort

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Admission: Free; RSVP for tickets at hawaiifood

andwinefestival.com

highlights

>> 11 a.m.-noon: Healthy Lunchtime Challenge (for 8- to 12-year-olds)

>> Noon-1 p.m.: Healthy Lunchtime Challenge (13- to 17-year-olds)

>> 1:30-2 p.m.: Cooking demo with MasterChef Junior Josh Reisner

>> Also: Autograph sessions with celebrity chefs will be held throughout the day. Chefs include Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski, Floyd Cardoz,Gale Gand, Luca Catalfamo and Celestino Drago.