Ghostly Green Brew

Two ingredients. That’s all it takes to fill a punch bowl with eerie green fizz that kids go wild for on Halloween. Lime sherbet melts into chilled ginger ale, creating a frothy, bubbly punch that’s sweet, tangy, and the perfect shade of ghoulish green.

Let the sherbet soften for a full hour in the punch bowl before adding the ginger ale. Dumping cold ginger ale over frozen sherbet causes an explosive fizz that overflows the bowl and wastes half your carbonation. A softened sherbet mixes smoothly and keeps the drink bubbly longer.

Serving this inside a hollowed-out pumpkin with a painted face is the kind of detail that turns a simple punch into the centerpiece of a Halloween party. Clean the pumpkin thoroughly and line it with a food-safe plastic bag if you’re worried about pulp bits.

Kitchen Tips

• Use chilled ginger ale straight from the fridge. Warm ginger ale goes flat faster once it hits the sherbet.
• Stir gently until the sherbet dissolves. Aggressive stirring releases the carbonation and you end up with flat, sweet lime milk.
• Make it right before guests arrive. This punch is best when the sherbet is still melting and the ginger ale is still fizzy. An hour after mixing, it loses its sparkle.

Variations

• Use orange sherbet and add a few drops of green food coloring for a different flavor with the same spooky color.
• Float scoops of sherbet on top instead of dissolving them fully for a “swamp” effect.
• Add a splash of pineapple juice for a tropical-tart twist.