I first discovered this Christmas Sherbet Punch years ago at a chaotic, wonderful holiday potluck. It sat in the center of the table, a glorious, frothy, rainbow-swirled bowl of joy that had both kids and adults circling back for more. I begged for the recipe and have been making it my holiday signature ever since. There’s something magical about the moment the sherbet hits the punch—the fizzy eruption, the pastel clouds of color swirling through the red, the instant, festive aroma of lime and fruit that fills the room. It’s not just a drink; it’s the centerpiece of the party, a five-minute shortcut to pure holiday cheer that makes everyone feel like a kid again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You are going to love this recipe because it is the ultimate in easy elegance. In literally five minutes, with zero cooking, you can create a stunning, crowd-pleasing beverage that tastes like a fizzy, fruity dreamsicle. It solves the “what to drink” dilemma for any holiday gathering, from a formal dinner to a casual open house, and it’s so visually festive it doubles as your table’s decoration. From my experience, it’s the recipe that gets the most compliments for the least amount of work, freeing you up to actually enjoy your own party.
Ingredients
- 2 liters lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up)
- 64 oz (½ gallon) Hawaiian fruit punch
- 6 oz can frozen limeade concentrate
- 2 quarts rainbow sherbet
Let’s talk ingredients, because your choices here define the character of your punch. For the lemon-lime soda, I strongly recommend using a name-brand like Sprite or 7-Up for its clear, crisp flavor. Generic brands can sometimes have a flatter taste. Keep it very cold. For the Hawaiian punch, the classic red “Fruit Juicy Red” flavor is non-negotiable—it provides that iconic, fruity base and the beautiful red color. Don’t substitute with a different juice blend; the flavor profile won’t be the same. The frozen limeade concentrate is the secret weapon. Don’t skip it! It’s what cuts the sweetness with a bright, tangy zing and makes the whole drink taste more complex than just soda and juice. And for the sherbet, rainbow is classic and gorgeous, but ensure it’s real sherbet, not sorbet or ice cream. The milk content in sherbet creates that perfect, creamy foam.(See the next page below to continue…)