Name: Witches Brew Punch
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 quart lime sherbet (about 4 cups); 4 cups pineapple juice (chilled); 4 cups ginger ale (chilled)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This witches brew punch combines lime sherbet, pineapple juice and nonalcoholic ginger ale for a foamy, nonalcoholic Halloween drink. It takes about 10 minutes to assemble, needs no cooking and works well beside a tray of cookies or cupcakes. The sherbet creates the floating “brew,” while the cold soda adds bubbles.

Jump to the recipe card · Make-ahead plan · Frequently asked questions

Images are AI-generated recipe illustrations; colors and presentation may vary.

What is witches brew punch?

Witches brew punch is a Halloween party drink, rather than one fixed traditional recipe. Some versions use fruit juice and soda; others include sherbet for a creamy, foamy finish. This version uses just three ingredients and contains no alcohol. Lime sherbet gives it a citrus flavor, though the final color depends on the brand and the color of your juice.

Expect a sweet, gently fizzy punch with soft sherbet scoops that gradually melt into the juice. It may look pale green or yellow-green instead of bright green. You do not need food coloring to make the recipe work.

The three ingredients

Lime sherbet, pineapple juice and ginger ale for witches brew punch — ingredient illustration. Use the exact quantities in the recipe card.

1 quart lime sherbet: about 4 cups by volume. Keep it frozen until you are ready to scoop. Most sherbet contains milk, so check the label if you are serving guests with allergies.
4 cups pineapple juice: use chilled juice, not a pineapple syrup or concentrate that needs dilution. Its tartness balances the sherbet.
4 cups nonalcoholic ginger ale: use a ginger-flavored soft drink labeled alcohol-free, not an alcoholic ginger beer. Chill it before mixing and open the bottle at the last moment to preserve the fizz.

The batch makes roughly 12 small party servings. Cup sizes and the amount of sherbet in each cup affect the yield. Put out smaller cups first; guests can return for more without leaving large glasses of melting punch on the table.

How to make witches brew punch

Pouring ginger ale over lime sherbet and pineapple juice — preparation illustration: pour the ginger ale slowly to leave room for foam.

Chill the liquids. Cold ingredients help the sherbet last longer. Set out a clean, food-safe punch bowl with a capacity of at least 5 quarts; you need space above the liquid for the foam.
Add the sherbet. Scoop it into the bowl in small mounds rather than melting it in advance. Pour the pineapple juice around the scoops.
Add the bubbles slowly. Pour in the ginger ale gently. It will foam as it meets the sherbet. Stir once or twice with a ladle instead of whisking.
Serve right away. Ladle a little sherbet and liquid into each cup. The texture changes as the sherbet melts, so assemble a fresh batch when the first is almost finished.

If your bowl is smaller, halve the recipe: use 1 pint lime sherbet, 2 cups pineapple juice and 2 cups ginger ale. For a larger party, make repeated batches instead of filling a small bowl to the rim.

A simple make-ahead plan

How much punch should I make?

These quantities make approximately 6, 12 or 24 small party servings. Yield varies with cup size and how much the sherbet melts.

Witches brew punch quantities
Servings	Lime sherbet	Pineapple juice	Nonalcoholic ginger ale
6	1 pint (2 cups)	2 cups	2 cups
12	1 quart (4 cups)	4 cups	4 cups
24	2 quarts (8 cups)	8 cups	8 cups

For 24 servings, make two standard batches as needed. Keep the ingredients for the second batch cold until the first is nearly finished.

The best part to prepare ahead is the setup. Refrigerate the juice and soda, freeze the sherbet, and place the bowl, ladle and cups together. You can measure the pineapple juice into a covered pitcher up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Leave the soda unopened and the sherbet in the freezer.

Just before guests arrive, assemble the first batch. Keep replacement ingredients cold and refill with a freshly mixed batch as needed. Adding warm soda to a bowl of melted sherbet makes a flatter, thinner drink.

Serve the punch cold. Follow the FDA’s food-storage guidance: refrigerate perishable food promptly and do not leave it at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour when the temperature is above 90°F. An ice bath around a suitable bowl can help keep the drink cold; avoid glass that is not rated for sudden temperature changes.

Easy swaps and serving ideas

For a dairy-free option: choose a lime or lemon sorbet clearly labeled dairy-free and check the other ingredient labels. Sorbet gives a fruitier, less creamy result. Do not assume every frozen dessert is suitable for every allergy.

For a less sweet version: replace some or all of the ginger ale with plain sparkling water. The drink will have less ginger flavor and sweetness. Taste a small glass before changing a full party batch.

For a Halloween dessert table: serve the punch with peanut butter spider cookies or easy Halloween cupcakes with boxed cake mix. Add a separate plate of mini cannoli cups if you want a smaller dessert guests can pick up easily.

Use a bowl intended for food contact. A decorative plastic cauldron may be suitable only for holding wrapped candy. Place decorations around the serving area instead of inside the drink. Only use decorations specifically labeled edible, and leave small choking-hazard toppings out of drinks for young children.

Skip dry ice in the punch. Poison Control’s Halloween guidance warns against putting dry ice directly into drinks because it can cause burns. The sherbet and soda already provide a bubbly effect without it.

Witches brew punch FAQs

Is witches brew punch alcohol-free?

Yes. This recipe uses lime sherbet, pineapple juice and nonalcoholic ginger ale. Choose products labeled alcohol-free and do not add spirits or alcoholic ginger beer.

Can I mix it the night before?

Keep the ingredients separate overnight. Mixing the soda early loses carbonation, and melted sherbet does not return to its original scooped texture. Assemble the punch shortly before serving.

Can I use lemon-lime soda instead?

Yes. Replace the ginger ale with the same volume of chilled lemon-lime soda. The result will taste more citrusy and may be sweeter, depending on the brand.

Why is my punch not bright green?

Lime sherbet varies in color, and pineapple juice adds yellow tones. A pale yellow-green punch is normal. Choose ingredients for their flavor rather than adding more sherbet solely to change the color.

Can I save leftovers?

Refrigerate any safely handled leftovers in a covered container promptly. The punch is best enjoyed the same day because the bubbles fade and the sherbet melts. Do not save a batch that has exceeded the room-temperature limits above.

Witches brew punch recipe card