Birthday parties · With alcohol

Grown-Up Sherbet Float recipe.

This adult birthday float disperses vodka through the soda before it meets the sherbet. Rainbow scoops make the bowl look similar to the alcohol-free version, so serve and label them separately. As the sherbet melts, the drink changes from a bubbly float to a creamy punch.

10 minutes · 12 × 8 fl oz servings · 5.7% ABV

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Grown-Up Sherbet Float, served in a glass

For one party batch

Ingredients

  • 3.43 cups Rainbow sherbet
  • 6.86 cups Lemon-lime soda
  • 1.71 cups Vodka

Optional: Maraschino cherries.

Yield is approximate: scooped sherbet and foam change the final volume.

Contains alcohol. Strength is an estimate based on the ingredient ABVs used in our calculator; your bottles may differ.

Mix it well

How to make it

  1. Measure the spirit

    Measure the vodka into a large serving pitcher or bowl. Leave generous headroom for the sherbet foam rather than filling the vessel to its rim.

  2. Dilute before adding sherbet

    Slowly add the chilled lemon-lime soda and fold it gently into the vodka. Distributing the spirit first avoids pouring concentrated vodka directly onto a few scoops.

  3. Float the scoops

    Add the measured rainbow sherbet in small scoops, pausing as the foam rises. Garnish with drained cherries if desired and serve immediately with spoons. Mark this bowl as containing alcohol.

Serving notes

The strength estimate assumes 40% vodka and measured sherbet volume; foam and trapped air make the final yield approximate. Check the sherbet label for milk and other allergens.

Make ahead

Pre-scoop and freeze the sherbet, chill the soda and measure the vodka separately. Do not combine them ahead; a melted batch loses the float texture.

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