Variations & Tips
For a slightly lighter version, use diet or zero-sugar cherry soda, or mix half cherry soda and half plain sparkling water to cut the sweetness. If you have picky eaters, you can set out a second tub of ice cream—such as chocolate or cherry vanilla—so kids can choose their favorite scoop. You can also offer a bowl of maraschino cherries on the side for those who want an extra cherry on top. For a fun party twist, freeze a few scoops of ice cream in advance on a parchment-lined tray so they’re extra firm and hold their shape longer in the punch bowl. If you prefer individual floats instead of a big bowl, let each child add 1–2 small scoops of ice cream to their own cup and then pour cherry soda over the top at the station. Food safety tips: Keep the soda and ice cream chilled until just before serving, and don’t leave the ice cream out at room temperature for more than about 30 minutes—if it starts to melt too much, return it to the freezer. Use a clean scoop and clean hands when refilling the punch bowl. If there are leftovers, don’t refreeze any melted ice cream mixture from the bowl; instead, store extra unopened soda and unused ice cream separately for the next time you set up the pouring station.
