White Christmas Punch - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup water
1 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 (1/2 gallon) cartons vanilla ice cream, softened
4 (2 liter) bottles carbonated lemon-lime beverage, chilled

Preparation

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat.
Stir in evaporated milk and almond extract.
Allow to cool.
Chill until ready to serve.
Combine ice cream, milk mixture, and lemon-lime beverage in a large container just before serving.
Stir gently, breaking the ice cream into small pieces.
Transfer punch into a punch bowl.
Recipe may be halved for smaller gatherings.