Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (2024)

Light and refreshing, this simple lemon sorbet recipe is the perfect balance of tart and sweet. It’s an absolutely wonderful frozen summer dessert!

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (1)

It only takes three ingredients to make your own lemon sorbet at home.

Serve it in bowls as a simple weekday treat. Or scoop the sorbet into hollowed out lemons and top with basil or mint, for a fancy dinner party.

You may also like this Coconut Ice Cream

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (3)

A light summer fruit sorbet recipe

The lemon sorbet can be dairy free, egg free, vegan, gluten free, fat free, and keto. Serve it as an easy dessert or a low calorie palate cleanser between courses at dinner.

If you’ve never tried making your own lemon sorbet at home, prepare to be completely shocked at how much better it tastes than store bought versions.

The lemon flavor is more pronounced, the sweetness is more balanced, and there’s no corn syrup or concentrated lemon juice, no guar gum, and no carrageenan!

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Above, watch the step-by-step recipe video

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (4)

Homemade lemon sorbet ingredients

To make the recipe, you need lemon juice, water, sugar, and lemon zest. That’s it!

You can squeeze fresh lemons, discarding the seeds. Or buy 100% lemon juice in a bottle at the store from brands such as Whole Foods, Wegmans, or Santa Cruz.

The recipe works with white sugar, unrefined coconut sugar, or evaporated cane juice. For sugar free lemon sorbet, try granulated erythritol or xylitol.

Do not omit or cut back on the lemon zest, as this is what will give the sorbet much of its tangy lemon flavor.

Readers also love this Peach Crisp

Prefer a chocolate version? Try this Chocolate Sorbet

How to make lemon sorbet

If using an ice cream maker, prepare the machine ahead of time according to the instruction manual for your specific brand and model.

Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until the sugar dissolves. Let cool, then refrigerate this simple syrup until cold. To save time, this step can be done the night before or even days ahead.

Add the chilled sugar water, lemon juice, and lemon zest to your ice cream machine, and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions for your machine.

After fifteen minutes, it should look like lemon slush. Feel free to serve it now in glasses. (Hello, frozen lemonade!) For sorbet, transfer to a large container and freeze for about an hour.

Stir the thick and frosty lemon mixture. It is often ready at this time. If yours is still slushy, let it chill in the freezer for another half hour, then stir again.

For authentic presentation, use an ice cream scoop to serve. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or basil if desired.

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (6)

Sorbet without an ice cream maker

No ice cream machine? No problem!

There are two methods for making sorbet with no ice cream machine. The first one calls for a blender, and the second option needs just a large container and spoon.

Blender option: For no churn sorbet, pour the liquid mixture into two ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Let the lemon ice cubes thaw just enough to be easily processed in a high speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec. Use a tamper to blend until smooth and creamy.

Container option: Chill a large shallow container overnight in the freezer. Pour the liquid lemon mix into the cold container, and freeze for a half hour. Stir very well to break up ice crystals and whisk air into the concoction. Return to the freezer.

Repeat this stirring process each half hour for about three hours in total. The texture should be somewhere between granita and ice cream.

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (7)

Tips & storage instructions

Some brands and models of ice cream makers need to be frozen for 24 to 48 hours so that the base is frozen solid before use.

Be sure to thoroughly chill the sugar syrup after boiling the sugar and water. If the liquid is still warm, it will never thicken in the ice cream machine. I like refrigerate the lemon juice as well, although this is not as important.

Because alcohol does not freeze solid, I sometimes like to add a tablespoon of vodka to the sorbet before churning. This helps keep the finished sorbet from freezing rock hard. Do not add more than a tablespoon unless you want a slushy texture.

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (8)

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Lemon Sorbet

Light and refreshing, this simple lemon sorbet recipe is a wonderful frozen summer dessert.

Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (9)

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Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Yield 3 1/2 cups

4.9 from 110 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar (or granulated erythritol)
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • optional 1 tbsp vodka

Instructions

  • Prepare ice cream machine according to the instruction manual for your specific machine. (If you want to make the recipe without an ice cream machine, see above.) Heat water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Let cool, then refrigerate until cold. Add all ingredients (including the sugar water) to the ice cream maker. Churn 15 minutes. It should look slushy. Either serve the frozen lemonade in glasses now, or transfer to a container and freeze for an hour. Stir the now-thicker sorbet. It is usually done at this time, but if yours is still slushy, simply let it chill in the freezer for an additional half hour, then stir again. Repeat until it has a sorbet texture. Serve with an ice cream scoop.

    View Nutrition Facts

Notes

Also be sure to try this creamy Lemon Mousse.

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Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Just 3 ingredients, and so refreshing! (2024)

FAQs

What is sorbet ingredient list? ›

Sorbets are a simple combination of fresh fruit or fruit juice with sugar. That's it! About two pounds of fruit will be perfect for making a quart of sorbet — that comes out to about five cups of chopped fruit. A little more or less is fine; this is a basic formula, not an exact science.

What keeps sorbet soft? ›

1 to 2 tablespoons liqueur (this is for flavor, but it also prevents the sorbet from freezing solid. Alcohol won't freeze, so it is great insurance that you will have a soft sorbet. BUT, if you add too much sorbet won't freeze at all and you will basically have a margarita or daiquiri!)

What is lemon sorbet made of? ›

In a pitcher or bowl, stir together the lemon syrup with peel, lemon juice and mineral water. Pour into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Garnish each serving with a twist of lemon peel. If you do not have an ice cream maker, you may freeze it in a tall canister.

What makes the smooth and creamy texture in sorbet? ›

A machine freezes the base quickly and the churning action breaks up ice crystals resulting in a smoother texture. This can also be somewhat accomplished by stirring and mashing the sorbet three or more times while it is freezing – and then stirring and mashing again right before serving.

What makes sorbet creamy? ›

That's why pastry chefs look to liquid sugar like invert sugar, glucose, or dextrose, which all make sorbet creamier when used properly. The easiest alternative sugar—the one you can find in any American supermarket—is plain 'ol non-high-fructose corn syrup.

Does sorbet have milk or cream in it? ›

"Sorbet is made with fruit but no dairy (eggs or milk/cream) so it's generally vegan-friendly and suits those with egg or dairy allergies, too," she says. The pureness of the fruit makes it icy and refreshing, and it won't be silky or rich in its texture as some other kinds of ice creams and sherberts may be.

What are the secrets of sorbet? ›

According to Serious Eats, the optimal sugar concentration for sorbet is 20-30%. Sugar dissolved in water lowers the freezing point of the mixture. The sweet spot of sorbet is all about adding enough sugar to prevent it from freezing solid, while not adding so much sugar that it won't solidify at all.

What thickens sorbet? ›

Tapioca starch (or corn starch): tapioca starch fis our go-to starch to thicken a sorbet mixture, for the velvety texture it creates. If you do not have tapioca starch, you can use corn starch instead, which is not the same, but it still works.

Why put egg white in sorbet? ›

If you want a fluffier sorbet, you can add two egg whites, whipped to form stiff peaks, when the mixture begins to solidify.

Is lemon sorbet good for you? ›

Because it contains little other than water, sugar and some form of fruit, sorbet tends to be much lower in calories and fat than ice cream. But, with the exception of vitamin C, it also tend to be low in nutrients (the amount of vitamin C will vary according to the type and quantity of fruit used).

Is lemon sorbet the same as lemon sherbet? ›

The Difference Between Sorbet and Sherbet

The difference between these two types of frozen desserts is mainly how much dairy they contain. Sorbet contains no dairy whatsoever, while sherbet contains a little cream or milk to give it a richer, creamier texture.

How to make sorbet lemon ice cream? ›

Associated products
  1. Add the sugar, water and lemon zest into a saucepan. ...
  2. Leave to cool completely. ...
  3. Pour the lemon juice into the sugar syrup and mix. ...
  4. Leave to cool for 2 to 3 hours in the fridge.
  5. When the mixture is cold, turn on your ice cream machine / Gelato Expert.

Why is my homemade sorbet so hard? ›

If your sorbet is rock-hard after churning and freezing: Allow it to sit on the counter for 5 minutes to soften before scooping OR. Melt the base back down to liquid, add more sugar, or a bit of corn syrup, or a splash of alcohol, then re-churn and refreeze.

Why is my homemade sorbet icy? ›

Too much sugar will not only make for a sickeningly sweet dessert, it also reduces the freezing point so that firstly, your sorbet will take ages to freeze, and secondly, it will crystallize as it freezes. Too little sugar and you end up with loads of crunchy ice crystals.

What can I use to stabilize my sorbet? ›

  • Procrema 100 Cold/Hot Natur allows us to stabilize ice creams naturally with an easy formulation.
  • Prosorbet 100 Cold Natur allows us to stabilize sorbets naturally with an easy formulation.
  • Guar gum allows us to stabilize ice creams whithout the need of heating up.
  • Carob gum allows us to stabilize ice creams with heat.
May 1, 2021

What are the ingredients in store bought sorbet? ›

INGREDIENTS: WATER, LIQUID SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, LEMON PUREE (WATER, LEMON PULP, CONCENTRATED LEMON JUICE, CORN SYRUP, NATURAL FLAVOR), CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, GUAR GUM, CELLULOSE GUM, CARRAGEENAN, DEXTROSE.

Does sorbet have dairy or eggs? ›

Sorbet (pronounced [ sawr-bey ]) is a creamy frozen concoction made from fruit juice or fruit purée that does not contain any dairy products or eggs. Sorbet is usually a dessert, but not always—it's sometimes served between courses as a palate cleanser.

Is sorbet healthy than ice cream? ›

Sorbet has less calories than ice cream and other frozen desserts, and no fat. It's fruit content also makes it rich in vitamin C. Any downsides? That fruit content also means it contains a fair bit of sugar, and if we're comparing it with ice cream and gelato, it has less calcium, vitamin A and iron.

What's the difference between sherbet and sorbet? ›

The major difference between the two is that sherbet is made with dairy and sorbet isn't. Sherbet has more of a creamy texture that you'd expect from ice cream thanks to ingredients like milk, heavy cream, or buttermilk in the mix. Sorbet, on the other hand, is simply sugar and fruit.

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