Easy Kool-Aid Sherbet is a delicious frozen treat that is made with only three simple ingredients! You can make this Kool aid ice cream in many different flavors, strawberry, orange, watermelon- any flavor you want!
When it is hot outside, nothing cools you off better than a frozen treat, and this Kool-Aid Sherbet delivers! Making this Kool aid flavored ice cream is a fun treat and SO easy to make.
Kool Aid Sherbet Recipe
There are many other homemade sherbet recipes out there, but one of the main reasons I love this recipe so much is that it is SO simple to make. All it takes it three ingredients, some stirring, freezing, and a lot of enjoying! If your kids are anything like mine during the summer, they are constantly begging for something cold, whether it be a cold drink, a popsicle, or an ice cream cone. This is one of my go-to recipes to whip up on those extra hot summer days. I have also made this recipe for several different parties- there are many different Kool-Aid flavors so you can make this sherbet to match any theme/décor. You can even do red and blue for the 4th of July, pastel colors for Easter, orange for Halloween, or you can just use your child’s favorite color for a birthday party. The possibilities are endless!
Sorbet vs. sherbet – what is the difference?
Are sherbet and sorbet the same thing? Short answer, no. Sherbet is generally made with some sort of fruit juice and some type of dairy as well. This sherbet recipe does have milk in it, but I am sure that you could use a dairy free option. Almond milk or coconut milk would be delicious in this recipe! You can still enjoy the creaminess of sherbet even if you have a dairy sensitivity. With sorbets, those are usually dairy-free, mostly made with fruit and ice.
Why you should try Ice Cream Sherbet today!
- It is SO easy to make. Honestly, the prep work for this recipe is very little and the results are so amazing and delicious.
- Flavorful and fun! The treat is a great one to make with kids, they can pick their favorite color or flavor and be a part of the process. Who doesn’t love to eat and enjoy something they helped create?
- Healthier alternative for dessert. This recipe is a great option if you are trying to consume less calories, with the very few ingredients it is a great option for having your dessert but staying focused on your health goals too.
What is sherbet made of?
- Kool Aid: You will need 1 package of Kool-Aid mix, any flavor you want. You can be creative with the color or flavors, choose your favorites and experiment with different ones.
- Sugar: For some just the right amount of sweetness to this treat, you need 1 cup sugar.
- Milk: Using 3 cups milk will help achieve that wonder creamy consistency we are after. I used 1% milk because that is what we like in our house. But you could use whole milk, 2% milk, skim, or even non-dairy options too. Whatever your preference will be great!
What is the most popular flavor of sherbet?
Orange sherbet is actually the most popular flavor, followed by rainbow sherbet. Personally, I love raspberry sherbet too, although it’s hard to find.
How to Make Sherbet with Kool Aid
- In a large bowl, whisk together all three of the ingredients until the sugar and Kool-Aid mix is completely dissolved.
- Next, pour the mixture into a shallow dish, cover and then place it in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until mostly set.
- Once the dessert is partially frozen, put the sherbet back in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Then, refreeze in a covered, shallow container until set (at least a few hours, I like to freeze mine overnight).
- When you are ready to enjoy, set the sherbet out for about 10-15 minutes prior to serving to make it easier to scoop.
- Serve and enjoy!
Kool Aid Sherbet Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 package of Kool-Aid mix any flavor/color
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups milk I used 1% because that's what we usually have, but any kind you have on hand will work great.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk togetherall three of the ingredients until the sugar and Kool-Aid mix is completelydissolved.
- Next, pour the mixture into a shallow dish, cover and then place it in thefreezer for about 2 hours, or until mostly set.
- Once the dessert is partially frozen, put the sherbet back in a bowl and mixwith an electric mixeruntil smooth.
- Then, refreeze in a covered, shallow container until set (at least a fewhours, I like to freeze mine overnight).
- When you are ready to enjoy, set the sherbet out for about 10-15 minutesprior to serving to make it easier to scoop.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Can you make rainbow ice cream sherbet?
I have not tried making rainbow sherbet yet, but I think it would be really easy to do with this recipe! Make three or four different flavors and then wait until the flavors are mostly set and then swirl them together. Be sure when you are swirling together to not over mix, it might loose the rainbow affect if so.
Is sherbet dairy free?
Sherbet is NOT dairy free and will contain some type of milk or cream. You can make homemade dairy-free sherbet by using coconut sweetened condensed milk, or another thicker, creamier type of non-dairy milk like coconut milk.
How long does it take to make sherbet ice cream?
You only have to spend about 3-5 minutes actually making the sherbet, but then you do have to allow about 6-8 hours of freezing time before the sherbet is completely frozen. I just make mine a day or two before I need it. If you keep it in the freezer in an airtight container, it will easily stay good for a week or two!
How do I know if my sherbet has gone bad?
There is nothing worse than going to your freezer for a yummy treat only to see the tell-tale signs of expired ice cream. A common sign is ice shards on top or under the lid, this is the early stage of the end of life for this dessert. If there is only a little bit you can easily remove them and eat it. But after is progresses the sherbet turns into a gooey mess and you do not want to eat it then.
Like frozen desserts? Here are more of our favorites!
- Banana Split Milkshakes
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
- Easy Oreo Ice Cream Cake
- Quick Strawberry Ice Cream
- Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
- Strawberry Banana Sorbet recipe
- Strawberry Ice Cream Pie
- Apple Pie Milkshakes
- Skinny OREO Milkshakes
Easy Kool-Aid Sherbet is a sensational frozen treat that is made with three simple ingredients! You can have fun with this recipe and make this Kool aid ice cream in many different flavors, strawberry, orange, watermelon- any flavor you want!
Kathie says
What size Kool-Aid package should we use? It comes in different weights and I’m not sure which one to use.
Nellie says
I didn’t realize there were different sizes! Just the standard Kool-Aid packet that makes 2 quarts of Kool-Aid – should be .13 oz.
Casey T. says
Can I use water instead milk? Because I’m allergic to milk.
Jessica says
You wouldn’t get nearly the right consistency with water. What about using something other than cow’s milk, like almond, cashew or coconut milk?
Jennifer says
I tried it with oat milk and it worked perfectly. Maybe took a little longer to set but I did look aid and Gatorade with oat milk and couldn’t tell a difference from real sherbet. I also cut back the sugar in my Gatorade flavor since Gatorade already has sugar.
Nina says
Does it come in no sugar (pre-sweetened) and can it be made with something like Splenda?
Nellie says
Not sure you can buy it pre-sweetened, but you definitely could probably mix it with Splenda instead of sugar. Let us know if you experiment!
LB says
Could this be used in a punch recipe that calls for sherbet? I am having trouble finding strawberry sherbet for punch and the guest of honor doesn’t like other flavors of sherbet.
Nellie says
I’m sure that would work just fine!
Ashley says
I totally grew up calling it sherbert lol
Nellie says
I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Christy says
Can Splenda be used instead of sugar?
Jessica says
I’ve not tried it with Splenda but it seems like it would work!
Stacy says
If I wanted to use lime juice instead of lemon lime koolaid, how much lime juice do you think I would need? And would I have to add more sugar to counteract the sourness of the lime juice? Thanks.
Nellie says
Not sure how well lime juice would work because I think you would have to add quite a bit to get a strong lime flavor and the extra moisture may affect the consistency. I think I would use a lime extract instead so that you can get that stronger lime flavor without having to add so much liquid. You probably wouldn’t need to add too much extra sugar though.Let us know if you experiment- we’d love to hear how it turns out!
Mary says
How many calories and fat per serving is this? Looks good.
Leslie says
Can you use sweetened condensed milk, and eliminate the sugar in the recipe?
Nellie says
I haven’t tried that with this recipe, but I know you can do with soda to make other kinds of sherbet. It may not be sweet enough to sweeten up the Kool-Aid, but please let us know if you try it!
Jennifer says
Amazing!!! We have tried several flavors and they are a hit!!
Asia vantage says
It’s says that it takes 5 minutes in total so I was like ok great I can make this for my kids birthday! But then I got all the ingredients and mixed them and out of no where it just says TWO HOURS?!
Jessica says
5 minutes active time to make the recipe, but it does have to freeze. 😉
Debbie Dale says
It wasn’t “out of nowhere” if you read the whole thing it says how long to freeze. You SURELY didn’t think you could make it AND freeze it in 5 minutes????
Mary says
So easy and good I used my ice cream ball to freeze it worked great
Nicole says
Awesome! We’re so glad you like this recipe 🙂
Bill says
I wonder if it would work with those little squeeze bottles that flavor water.
Nicole says
Interesting… If you try it let me know because now I’m curious too!
Jill says
Can fresh fruit be added or should it just be used as a topping?
Nicole says
I dont see why you cant add it in to the ice cream. Do what you want 🙂