Guri Guri Sherbet: A Local Maui Favorite Recipe
Cool down with this homemade Guri Guri sherbet – a Maui-inspired treat that’s creamy, fruity, and refreshing!
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This sherbet is one of those nostalgic local treats that instantly takes you back to childhood summers in Hawai‘i. Whether you’re from Maui or just visiting, chances are you’ve stopped by Tasaka Guri Guri in Kahului to scoop up this sweet, fruity, slightly creamy frozen dessert. In this post, I’ll show you how to make a delicious copycat Guri Guri sherbet recipe from home!
What is Guri Guri Sherbet?
Guri Guri is a frozen dessert that’s like a cross between ice cream and sherbet. It’s known for its creamy texture and fruity flavors—usually strawberry and pineapple. The treat was invented by the Tasaka family, who have been serving it from their Maui shop since the early 1900s. This sherbet is beloved for being light, refreshing, and not overly sweet.
Where Can You Find Guri Guri Sherbet?
The original Guri Guri can be found only at Tasaka Guri Guri in Maui’s Maui Mall. It’s one of those “only in Hawai‘i” type of foods that locals and tourists love to track down. But now, with this copycat sherbet recipe, you can enjoy it anywhere in the world.
What Are the Ingredients for Guri Guri Sherbet?
The original recipe is a family secret, but most copycat versions include just a few simple ingredients:
- Strawberry soda (or pineapple soda for variation)
- Homemade strawberry syrup
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Milk
Suggested ingredients
Here are some suggested ingredients and tools to make your sherbet at home:
- Strawberry Soda – (Link to Amazon: Strawberry soda/pop)
- Ninja Creami – (Link to Amazon: Ninja Creami)
- Ice cream scooper – (Link to Amazon: Ice cream scooper)
(These are affiliate links — if you grab anything, it helps support the blog at no extra cost to you. Mahalo!)
How Do You Make Guri Guri Sherbet?
Make the base
- Mix 1 homemade fruit syrup, water, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream.
- Whisk until smooth and frothy.
- No-Churn Method: Freeze in a container for at least 6 hours or overnight. Let soften slightly before scooping.
- Ninja Creami Method: Freeze in pint for 24 hours without the lid. Spin on Sorbet/Lite Ice Cream mode, re-spin if needed while adding in a little bit of syrup.
Are there similar recipes?
If you love this recipe, check out these other refreshing and local Hawaiian desserts:
Tips & FAQs
Yes! Pineapple is just as popular and delicious. You can also blend the two flavors.
It’s best within 1 week for texture and flavor, but it can last 2–3 weeks if sealed well.
You can, but it’s not necessary. This sherbet recipe freezes well without churning.
You can experiment with coconut condensed milk, but it may not have the exact creamy texture of the original.
Recipe Video:
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Guri Guri (Maui-Style Sherbet)
Ingredients
Homemade Strawberry Guri Guri
- ½ cup homemade strawberry syrup (or pineapple syrup)
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Strawberry Soda Guri Guri
- 1 can (12 fl oz) strawberry soda (or pineapple soda)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
Homemade Guri Guri
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, milk, water, strawberry syrup, and heavy cream. Mix together.
Strawberry Soda Guri Guri
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, strawberry soda, and heavy cream. Mix together.
- Freeze – Ninja Creami MethodPour mixture into Ninja Creami pint container (do not exceed max fill line). Freeze without the lid to prevent a lump forming the middle. Freeze for at least 24 hours. Spin using “Sherbert" setting. Re-spin if needed for smoother texture. If it's still too dry add in a little bit of the syrup and milk.
- No-Churn MethodFreeze in a container for at least 6 hours or overnight. Let soften slightly before scooping.
I use one can of 7-up, one can condensed milk and two cans of flavored soda. With orange soda, it’s like a cream sickle. I’ve also used strawberry, red cream and grape sodas to vary the flavors.
Mahalo for the suggestions! That sounds so ono!
TYVM for helping us beat the summer heat with this ono treat!😍😋