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This fizzy southern party drink with pineapple sherbet is all about good vibes and getting folks to gather. It's dreamy, fruity, and cool with a creamy sherbet spin. You'll find people coming back for refills, even if they said they'd skip the punch at first. Goes over well for potlucks, birthdays, or any family get-together.
I saw this punch show up at nearly every southern church event growing up. Its bubbly sweetness and pretty colors meant something fun was about to start. Now, my own kids ask for it every single Easter brunch we have.
Tasty Ingredients
- Cold ginger ale: brings those sparkling bubbles and a spicy note. Go for a ginger-heavy version for more grown-up flavor but even the basic stuff works fine
- Pineapple sherbet: adds creamy, dreamy tropical flavor. Just peek at the ingredients and pick one that uses real pineapple to nail the flavor
- Frozen orange juice concentrate: boosts the citrus and gives more zip. Search for concentrate with no sneaky added sugar
- Frozen lemonade concentrate: sharpens up the flavors and brightens the drink. A reliable brand makes all the difference
- Pineapple juice: the star—it’s sweet and a little tangy. Go for a fancy bottle and skip the “from concentrate” stuff if you can
Simple How-to Steps
- Mix and Pour to Serve:
- Leave a few chunks of sherbet and icy juice floating for extra pretty vibes. Stir one last time right before pouring into glasses. You want that foamy, colorful top with slushy bits showing. Serve up fast so it's still fizzy.
- Add Ginger Ale and Citrus:
- Pour your mixed lemonade and orange juices on top of the frozen sherbet pile. Then add a big pour of ginger ale. Stir it all in gently—you want it chilly with floating slush, not totally smooth.
- Combine in Big Bowl:
- When guests show up, scoop the semi-thawed pineapple juice and the sorbet into your punch bowl. Use a spoon to chop it up into rough chunks and mix those together into a chunky slush.
- Thaw and Mix Lemon Stuff:
- About two hours before party time, pull the pineapple juice from the freezer to start softening. Get the lemonade and orange concentrate ready according to what the can says—add cold water so the juice stays bright and tasty.
- Freeze Pineapple Juice:
- Pop your pineapple juice in the freezer for a full day so it gets thick and slushy. This step’s what makes the punch chilly and fun.
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At my parties, pineapple sherbet is gone before anything else. One time my son and his cousins snuck back for seconds once the adults left, and we came back to nothing but slushy leftovers in the bowl.
Keeping it Fresh
Any left can be stored in the fridge up to three days, just put it in a jug or sealed container. If you want to save it even longer, freeze the punch, then move it to the fridge to thaw and give it a good mix once it's liquidy again. For the fizz to last, don't add ginger ale to any you’re saving to serve later.
Swap-ins and Tweaks
If you can't get pineapple sherbet, try lemon or orange—it'll switch up the taste but it'll still be tasty. Lemon-lime soda works instead of ginger ale for something lighter. Add some canned pineapple chunks to dress it up if you want.
Fun Ways to Serve
Toss some pineapple rings or maraschino cherries on top for an easy wow factor. If you're feeling playful, use silly straws or spoon on whipped cream for a throwback ice cream float feel. Around here, we pour it into old-school punch cups for an extra nostalgic touch.
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A Bit of Background
These big-bowl southern punches are just hospitality and tradition with a ladle. Potlucks always meant seeing this drink, a big sheet cake, deviled eggs, and everyone laughing. Making it now is a sweet way to feel close to family and friends from years past.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep this drink in advance?
You can get the ingredients ready before, but don't mix everything until you're about to serve so your ginger ale stays nice and fizzy.
- → Any swaps for pineapple sherbet?
Try orange or lemon sherbet—or even vanilla ice cream if you want it extra creamy.
- → What’s the best way to keep leftovers?
Just put any punch you didn’t drink into a container and chill in the fridge for up to three days. Stir it up before pouring your next glass.
- → Is it okay to freeze this?
Totally! Pop leftovers in a freezer-safe box for about a month. Thaw them in the fridge and stir till smooth before serving.
- → Is this punch kid-friendly?
Sure thing! It’s just fruity goodness—no alcohol here—so everyone at family events can have a glass.
- → How do I tone down or boost the sweetness?
If you want it less sweet, splash in more juice or ginger ale. Toss in some citrus rounds for a fresh twist too.