Slushy Punch

This is a refreshing punch that is a favorite for family parties. It is handy also because you can keep a bag of it in the freezer to pull out and mix with lemon lime soda at short notice, just allowing a little thaw time. We get many compliments on this, especially from folks who don't like "sherberty" punches.

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 cups water
• 2 (3 oz.) packs Wild Strawberry Jello (or one 6 oz. pack)
• 1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
• 2/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 quart orange juice
• 2 (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime soda

Directions:

In a large pot, combine sugar, water, and jello. Boil for 3 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Divide mixture in half and freeze in two one-gallon freezer bags. Try not to allow it to freeze in a solid block.

You may want to make and freeze the mixture the night before and "knead"the bags a few times the next day to serve that afternoon, or make and freeze very early in the morning and knead periodically during the day to serve late that night. Keep in mind your freezer's abilities.

Take out of freezer a little while before serving to let it soften a bit, kneading the bag to mash it up. When ready to serve, pour one bag into a punch bowl and stir in one bottle of soda.

One bag of mix to one bottle soda to make a standard punch bowl full. Mash with a potato masher to break down large chunks. Should be cold and slushy. Repeat with other bag and soda when needed, or save in freezer for another time. If it has frozen into a chunk, just allow more softening and kneading time to break it down.

Source: My sister-in-law found it at allrecipes.com, I believe.

By Shawna E from Paris, TN