Kent’s Orange Dreamsicle Punch

Kent loves orange creamsicle flavor, so this one was easy.

Once the party colors were already orange and Scrappy-colored, an orange dreamsicle punch felt like it belonged there without even trying.

It also gave me one more way to make the food feel like Kent’s party instead of just a dog-themed party.

This is sweet, creamy, citrusy and very easy to make. It tastes a little like an orange creamsicle melted into a punch bowl, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I thrifted this punch bowl. I found that the ladle was broken when I got it home and opened it. So one of my old and well-loved soup ladles had to do the heavy lifting at the last minute.

Kent’s Orange Dreamsicle Punch

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon orange sherbet
• 1 two-liter bottle orange soda, well chilled
• 2 cups pineapple juice, chilled
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: several scoops vanilla ice cream

Instructions

Scoop about half of the orange sherbet into a large punch bowl.

Pour in the pineapple juice.

Slowly add the orange soda.

In a separate measuring cup or small bowl, stir together the half-and-half and vanilla.

Pour the half-and-half mixture slowly into the punch while stirring gently.

Add the remaining sherbet in scoops so some of it floats on top.

If you want an even richer creamsicle flavor, add several scoops of vanilla ice cream just before serving.

Serve immediately.

A Few Tips

Make sure everything is very cold before you start.

I like adding the half-and-half slowly rather than dumping it in all at once. It helps everything blend more smoothly.

The sherbet will melt as the punch sits, so I would make this fairly close to serving time.

If you are serving it at a party, you can have the juice, soda and half-and-half mixture chilled and ready to go, then put everything together shortly before guests are ready for drinks.

Want It Even Creamier?

Add a few scoops of vanilla ice cream along with the sherbet.

That takes it even farther into orange-creamsicle territory and makes it feel almost like a dessert drink.

I would not add too much, though. You still want it to pour like punch instead of becoming a giant milkshake.

Why It Was Perfect for Kent’s Party

This one worked for two reasons.

First, Kent loves orange creamsicle.

Second, it was orange.

Sometimes the party-planning universe just hands you one.

I served it as part of Kent’s Scrappy Dappy Pawty along with Italian chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, bone-shaped garlic Parmesan breadsticks, puppy chow and brownies.

And because practically everything else in the room was orange too, the punch looked like it had been planned months in advance.

You can see the full Scrappy Dappy Pawty here, including the decorations, custom plates, food and missing-birthday-present mystery.

Recipe Card

Kent’s Orange Dreamsicle Punch

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: about 12–16

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon orange sherbet
• 1 two-liter bottle orange soda, chilled
• 2 cups pineapple juice, chilled
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: several scoops vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Scoop half of the orange sherbet into a punch bowl.
2. Add pineapple juice.
3. Slowly pour in orange soda.
4. Stir together half-and-half and vanilla separately.
5. Slowly add the half-and-half mixture to the punch while stirring gently.
6. Add remaining sherbet in scoops.
7. Add vanilla ice cream if desired.
8. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the smoothest punch, make sure all ingredients are well chilled before mixing. Add the dairy slowly and serve soon after preparing.