Homemade Sherbet Candy
This sherbet is a trip down memory lane with its fizzy sweetness. Perfect for kids parties, Halloween treats or just a fun science experiment. This is a super easy recipe that will create smiles all round.
Sweet, sour and fizzy.
It could not be any easier to create this fun nostalgic treat. Simply measure out your ingredients and sieve them together into a small bowl. Give it a quick stir and you have your very own sherbet.
How sherbet gets its fizz
When baking soda is mixed with an acid it will create a fizzing, bubbling reaction as it releases carbon dioxide gas. With sherbet we want that reaction to happen on the tongue so we we will use a dry form of acid (citric and tartaric acid) when these ingredients become wet in your mouth they can then react with the baking soda to form lots of little bubbles.
Ingredients
Icing sugar – The sweet base for your sherbet. Icing sugar gives you the powdery candy texture that sherbet needs. Do not substitute for a different kind of sugar as you will not get a sherbet consistency at the end.
Dry cordial flavoring – You want to use a powdered drink mix like raro or vitafresh for this recipe. This is where your sherbet flavor will come from so pick something that you like. You will need a little bit extra for some of the more subtle flavors so taste test your mixture before bagging it up. You could also use jelly crystals in place of the cordial mix if you do not have any on hand.
Baking soda – This is what creates the bubbles in your mouth when you eat sherbet.
Citric acid – You will need an acid to combine with the baking soda to create your fizz.
Tartaric acid – This will make your sherbet a little bit more sour. You can add more to really give your sherbet a sour kick or you can trade it out for another teaspoon of citric acid if you want your sherbet to be less sour.
Serving suggestions
- Let the kids unleash their inner mad scientists. Set up your sherbet as a fun science activity. Kids can make this recipe themselves, the ratios can even be adjusted to discover what fizzes the most. Then they can experiment tasting this using their fingers, lollipops or other treats. To avoid eating too much sugar in your experimenting you can spread it onto a small paper plate and use a small syringe to squirt water or vinegar on top and observe the reaction.
- Party favors or Halloween goodie bags. Use little cellophane bags and lollipops to make a quick and easy party favor for any occasion. Match your theme with your flavors or add a cute sticker on the bag.
- Sherbet topping. Sherbet is not just great with lollipops and candy, you can sprinkle it on top of ice cream or sorbet (this lemon sorbet is delicious with a lime sherbet). You can even add it to drinks to create a fun little fizzing effect.
- Make it your own. Choose your favorite cordial for the flavor, add in some popping candy or boost the tartaric acid for a super sour sherbet.
Homemade Sherbet Candy
Ingredients
Method
- Sieve all ingredients into a small bowl.
- Mix everything together, until the mixture is well combined.
- Taste test and adjust your flavoring as need.
- Store in a small, sealed container or jar. Or divide your sherbet into small individual bags with a lollipop to hand out for Halloween or for party favors.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my sherbet recipe. I hope you enjoy trying this out for yourself. Please feel free to add any questions or comments below. I am happy to help out wherever possible and I would love to hear how this recipe worked out for you.
