This Cult-Favorite ‘70s Beverage Is A Holiday Crowd-Pleaser

If there’s a theme party, I’ll be there with bells on! Well, in this case it was bell bottoms, and I only had to travel to my very own kitchen. My husband and I host friends and family for an annual theme party, and I can confidently say we always understand the assignment. The last theme of choice was the ’70s disco era, and from the costumes, to the music, to, of course, the menu, it did not disappoint! 

One rule I always abide by is that there must be a signature drink centered around the theme for guests to try. Not only is this so much fun to research and bring to life as a recipe developer, but it also sets the tone for the evening and gets everybody into the spirit. When we decided the party would revolve around the 1970s, I immediately knew I wanted to feature an homage to a classic of the era: rainbow sherbet punch, served—of course—in a big old-fashioned crystal punch bowl. 

What Is Sherbet Party Punch?

This drink is a party in a bowl and is so simple to mix up. There are an endless number of sherbet punch recipes out there but the most basic ones feature scoops of rainbow sherbet bobbing in a vessel of 7-Up, Sprite, or ginger ale or any combination of fruit soda, juice, punch and/or seltzer. You can also add bubbles such as Champagne or prosecco (mine calls for the latter) to make it an alcoholic beverage.

How to Make My Sherbet Party Punch Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon rainbow sherbet
• 1 bottle chilled prosecco (25 ounces/750 mL)
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 liter chilled raspberry seltzer
• 2 cups chilled 7-Up or Sprite

Directions

1. In a wide, extra-large punch bowl, add sherbet one large scoop at a time. Don’t add the sherbet in one large piece, because the texture and flavor won’t be as consistent for each serving.
2. Add the prosecco, lemon juice, raspberry seltzer, and 7-Up or Sprite. Serve immediately with a ladle.

Tips For Perfecting Party Punch

• Add the sherbet first. When the bubbles from the prosecco, seltzer, and soda hit the sherbet scooped into the bottom of the bowl, the mixture will transform into a fun and vibrant fizz, bringing all of the different colors together like a watercolor painting. It also creates an enjoyable texture for sipping. Find out the difference between sorbet, sherbet, and sherbert.
• Chill all your ingredients. This is important for a few different reasons. First, the chilled liquids help the sherbet stay cold. Secondly, this sweet, crisp beverage is tastiest served cold. Pretty up your next punch bowl with an easy ice ring.
• Use a wide bowl and serve with a ladle. A ladle makes for simple, mess-free scooping and ensures that you get a generous taste of that beautiful rainbow sherbet bubbling on top with every serving.
• Make it alcohol-free. Simply replace the amount of prosecco the recipe calls for with additional 7-Up or Sprite. You can also incorporate seltzer, fruit juice, or club soda if you’re looking for a less sweet option.