06/08/2026
Here are four fun, fizzy, and incredibly refreshing summer sherbet sodas. They range from classic party punches to individual ice cream parlor-style floats.
The secret to a perfect sherbet soda is adding the soda slowly over the sherbet—otherwise, the fizz will instantly overflow the glass!
1. The Classic Sun-Gold Orange Punch
This is the ultimate, crowd-pleasing summer party drink. The combination of citrus and ginger ale creates a creamy, bright foam that tastes exactly like a melted creamsicle.
Ingredients:
1/2 gallon orange sherbet
1 bottle (2 liters) ginger ale (chilled)
1 can (46 oz) pineapple juice (chilled)
How to Make It:
In a large punch bowl, pour in the pineapple juice and ginger ale, stirring gently to combine.
Using an ice cream scoop, drop large scoops of the orange sherbet directly into the liquid right before serving. It will float to the top and create a gorgeous, frothy layer.
2. Raspberry Lime Rickey Float
Sharp, tart, and beautifully layered, this drink balances the bright zing of fresh lime with the deep sweetness of raspberry.
Ingredients:
1 pint raspberry sherbet
1 bottle (2 liters) lemon-lime soda (or club soda for a less-sweet version)
2 fresh limes (juiced)
Fresh raspberries and lime slices for garnish
How to Make It:
Squeeze the juice of half a lime into the bottom of a tall glass.
Add 2 generous scoops of raspberry sherbet.
Slowly pour the lemon-lime soda over the sherbet, watching the vivid pink foam rise. Garnish the rim with a lime slice and a few fresh berries.
3. Tropical Rainbow Sunrise
Using rainbow sherbet gives you a gorgeous blend of flavors (usually raspberry, lime, and orange) that pairs beautifully with tropical fruit juices.
Ingredients:
1 pint rainbow sherbet
4 cups lemon-lime soda
2 cups passion fruit juice or mango nectar
A splash of grenadine (optional, for that "sunrise" look)
How to Make It:
Fill a glass halfway with the passion fruit juice or mango nectar.
Add 1-2 scoops of rainbow sherbet.
Top it off slowly with lemon-lime soda. If you want a dramatic color gradient, tilt the glass and gently pour a teaspoon of grenadine down the inside wall—it will sink to the bottom and create a beautiful sunset effect.
4. Southern Strawberry-Lemonade Fizz
Nothing says summer quite like strawberry lemonade. This version swaps out standard ice cubes for lemon sherbet to keep the drink ice-cold without watering it down.
Ingredients:
1 pint lemon or lime sherbet
1 bottle (2 liters) strawberry soda (like Fanta or Welch's Strawberry)
1 cup fresh strawberries (sliced)
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
How to Make It:
Muddle a few sliced strawberries and a leaf of mint at the bottom of a glass.
Drop in 2 scoops of lemon sherbet.
Pour the strawberry soda slowly over the top. The tartness of the melting lemon sherbet will cut through the sweet strawberry soda perfectly.
Pro-Tip for Entertaining: If you are making individual floats for a group, scoop the sherbet onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet ahead of time and pop it back in the freezer. When it's time to serve, you can just drop the pre-frozen scoops right into the glasses without any messy, frantic scooping!
