Rainbow Sherbet Punch

No party is complete without this colorful drink.

Southern Living Rainbow Sherbet Punch in a punch bowl with a couple of glasses beside
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
12

It's fair to say it's not a party in the South if there isn't a punch, and for wedding showers, teas, or other fun gatherings, a colorful punch, served in an antique punch bowl, is nearly required by law.

A punch made with frozen sherbet is most certainly top of the list when it comes to picking a recipe, but this Rainbow Sherbet Punch is a special party drink. The technicolor frozen dessert melts to create a juicy, fruity, delicately creamy punch that will leave everyone coming back to the bowl for seconds.

The combination of both fresh juices and prepared ones elevates the flavor of the punch to be both sweet and tart. Two types of soda guarantee each sip leaves your nose tingling just a bit, and without a drop of Champagne or sparkling wine.

If the rainbow effect of the three-color sherbet is a bit much for your party's color palette, don't overlook this classic Orange Sherbet Punch. The citrusy punch uses both orange sherbet and lime for a sweet-tart sip.

Rainbow Sherbet Punch

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

  • 4 cups fruit punch, chilled

  • 4 cups pineapple juice, chilled

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large)

  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 large)

  • 1 (1 liter) bottle lemon-lime soda, chilled

  • 1 (1 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled

  • 1 qt. rainbow sherbet

  • Raspberries and sliced strawberries, for garnish

Directions

This punch can be made boozy by adding 2 cups vodka or white rum with the juices in step 1 or adding a bottle of Prosecco with the soda in step 2. 

  1. Gather your ingredients:

    Southern Living Rainbow Sherbet Punch ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Combine juices:

    Pour fruit punch, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and lime juice into a large punch bowl, and whisk to combine.

    Southern Living Rainbow Sherbet Punch juices mixed together

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Add sodas:

    Pour lemon-lime soda and ginger ale into the punch bowl, and gently stir to combine. Keep the punch cold until it’s time to serve.

    Southern Living Rainbow Sherbet Punch with sodas mixed in

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Add sherbet scoops:

    Right before serving, use a large spoon or an ice cream scoop to create rounded scoops of sherbet. Float the scoops on top of the punch.

    Southern Living Rainbow Sherbet Punch scoops of sherbet in the punch bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    To prep the sherbet ahead of time, scoop the sherbet into a muffin tray, and freeze until you're ready to use.

  5. Add fresh fruits:

    Add sliced strawberries and raspberries (if using), and serve immediately.

    Southern Living Rainbow Sherbet Punch in a punch bowl ready to serve with fruit

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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