Lime Sherbet Punch

Looking for a crowd-pleasing beverage that’s both refreshing and visually stunning? Our lime sherbet punch combines the zesty tang of lime with creamy sherbet, creating a frothy, vibrant drink perfect for parties, holidays or casual gatherings. This classic punch bowl recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors with a unique texture from the effervescent soda. It’s simple to make: Just chill your ingredients, add the sherbet last for maximum froth and garnish with lime slices or mint. This refreshing, nonalcoholic party drink is sure to impress guests of all ages.

Ingredients for Lime Sherbet Punch

• Sherbet: Scoops of creamy, fruity lime sherbet keep everything cool and add sweetness (plus extra-fruity frothy flavor) as they melt.
• Pineapple juice: For this recipe, use your favorite canned or bottled pineapple juice. Those without added sugars are best, since this punch has a lot of other sugary ingredients. Make sure it’s chilled.
• Ginger ale: The soda’s carbonation makes this punch nice and bubbly, and the flavor adds a nice gingery note. Make sure it’s chilled before using it.

Directions

Step 1: Make the punch

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

In a large punch bowl, scoop in the sherbet. Add the pineapple juice and ginger ale. Stir until the sherbet is partially melted. Serve immediately.

Editor’s Tip: Add the ginger ale just before serving to keep the beverage bubbly.

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Lime Sherbet Punch Variations

• Try different fruit juices: This is a highly adaptable recipe that you can adjust to your own taste. For a super-summery version, use frozen lemonade concentrate, mango or passionfruit juice instead of pineapple.
• Play with sherbet flavors: Try other flavor combinations like strawberry, orange, peach, melon and more.
• Make it boozy: Use sparkling wine instead of ginger ale for an adult version of this sherbet punch. 
• Swap in other bubbles: Mellower fizzy sodas, such as lemon-lime soda, would make for a milder-tasting punch.
• Add a garnish: Sliced oranges, strawberries or pineapple (even canned) make for festive toppers.
• Use fruit concentrate: Thawed frozen concentrate is thicker and more syrupy than plain juice, and it adds a delightful heft to the punch base. Limeade and lemonade together make for a tasty punch, but you may opt for just one.

How to Store Lime Sherbet Punch

Sadly, this lime sherbet punch does not keep well. The fizz of the ginger ale will go flat, and the creamy, frozen scoops of sherbet will dissolve entirely. You may scale the recipe down if you’re serving sherbet punch for a smaller party; just reduce every ingredient by the same ratio. The punch will still taste delicious.

Can you make lime sherbert punch ahead of time?

You can partially make this lime sherbet punch ahead of time. Mix the fruit juices in the punch bowl, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. To finish the punch at the party, add the soda and top it off with scoops of sherbet.

Lime Sherbet Punch Tips

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

What’s the difference between sorbet and sherbet?

While both desserts are fruit-based, the difference between sherbet and sorbet is pretty straightforward: Sorbet does not contain dairy—such as milk or cream—and sherbet typically does. Because of this, sorbet usually has a drier, icier consistency, while sherbet has a slight creaminess.

Can you make dairy-free sherbet punch?

Yes! Lime sherbet punch will still be delicious dairy-free. Simply substitute dairy-free sherbet, if you can find it, or sorbet. Use whichever fruit flavors you enjoy. The punch may be slightly less creamy; if this is bothersome, reduce the ginger ale just a bit to thicken the punch.

How can I keep the punch cold without diluting it?

Use large ice cubes or an ice ring made from some of the punch mixture to keep it cold longer without diluting the flavor.