Lemon Sorbet (2024)

September 1, 2023

Lemon Sorbet (1)

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Lemon sorbet makes the perfect refreshing after-dinner treat. While I love all ice creams, especially hazelnut and malted milk, lemon sorbet also holds a place in my heart. It’s light, fresh, not overly sweet, exactly what I want on a hot summer’s day.

Lemon Water

This recipe is a little weird because of the lemon water. It may seem like an overwrought step but it really helps. It gives the sorbet even more lemon flavor and just a touch of bitterness which nicely balances the sweet and sour. There is so much flavor in lemon peel it would be a waste not to take advantage of it.

Dextrose

This recipe contains dextrose. Dextrose is simply powdered glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar, and serves as the primary source of energy for our bodies. In cooking and baking, glucose is commonly used as a sweetener and to improve the texture of certain foods. It helps prevent crystallization in candies and enhances the creaminess of ice creams and sorbets. It helps create a smooth and scoopable consistency while being little less sweet that sugar, so it doesn’t overly sweeten the final product.

Coupe Colonel

One of my favorite desserts/co*cktails is called a Coupe Coronel. It’s lemon sorbet with some ice cold vodka poured over. It is also lovely if you add some herbs like basil, lemongrass or lemon balm.

Regardless of how or when, lemon sorbet is always a good idea!

Lemon Sorbet (2)

Lemon Sorbet

Ingredients

  • 2 whole lemons
  • 500 g water
  • 200 g sugar
  • 30 g cornstarch
  • 50 g dextrose
  • 360 lemon juice

Instructions

  • Using a peeler, peel two whole lemons. We don’t want the white part, just the yellow part.

  • In a pot, pour 500g of water over the lemon peels.

  • Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Once it boils, turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let it steep for an hour.

  • After an hour, strain off 400g of the lemon-infused water and discard the lemon zest.

  • In a pot, combine the strained lemon water, sugar, cornstarch, and dextrose.

  • Place the pot on the stove and start mixing the ingredients continuously.

  • Bring the mixture to a boil while continuing to stir. Allow it to boil for about a minute to ensure the cornstarch is fully cooked.

  • Once cooked, pour the lemon base into a container and refrigerate it overnight to cool/

  • The next day, juice your lemons to obtain approximately 360g of lemon juice. Strain the lemon juice to ensure it’s smooth and pulp-free.

  • Mix the chilled lemon base with the strained lemon juice. Ensure they are thoroughly combined.

  • Pour the combined mixture into your ice cream machine and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning.

  • After churning, for optimal texture and flavor, transfer the sorbet to a lidded container and place it in the freezer.

  • Allow the sorbet to set in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

Filed Under: American, Ice Cream

Lemon Sorbet (2024)

FAQs

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).

What is lemon sorbet ice cream made of? ›

Ingredients. Water, Sugar, Glucose Powder, Lemon zest (contains modified starch). Lemon Juice, Citric Acid, Mono and Di-glycerides of fatty acids.

What makes sorbet so creamy? ›

Without fat from dairy or eggs, it's the suspension of sugar within the fruit purée that allows the sorbet to churn into something with a creamy mouthfeel. You need 20-30% sugar in your sorbet, which will come from your fruit plus some added sugar.

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.

Is sorbet healthier then ice cream? ›

Not only is sorbet a healthier alternative to ice cream, but it is also a dessert that can be enjoyed guilt-free. With no eggs or cream present in the recipe, sorbet contains fewer calories and less fat compared to traditional ice cream.

Which is healthier, sorbet or sherbet? ›

"If you follow a vegan diet or have a food allergy, sorbet will be a better choice," she adds. Plus, in terms of nutrition, sorbet will also be the healthiest option becasue it doesn't contain the milk, cream, or butterfat, which increases saturated fat content.

How much sugar is in lemon sorbet? ›

Lemon sorbet
NutrientUnit
sugars42g
fibre0g
protein0g
salt0g
4 more rows

What's the difference between lemon sorbet and lemon sherbet? ›

Sherbets are often flavored with fruit that has an acidic punch, like lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, raspberry, or pineapple. The texture is also usually a bit softer than sorbet, which can firm up a bit solidly due to the higher water content.

Is sorbet basically ice cream? ›

The difference between ice cream and sorbet is also based on whether or not dairy is used. Technically speaking, ice cream always contains cream and/or milk as its main ingredients, while sorbet traditionally never includes dairy or eggs, instead being primarily made from fruit juice or fruit purée.

What is the secret to good sorbet? ›

The Secret to Making Creamy Sorbet
  • Increase the sweetness of the sorbet base.
  • Freeze it quickly.
  • Either churn or stir while it is freezing so large ice crystals don't form.
Jun 25, 2020

Why put egg whites in sorbet? ›

The optional egg white helps to stabilize, emulsify, and preserve the texture of the sorbet if you are going to keep it in your freezer for a few days.

Why add vodka to sorbet? ›

And, don't worry if you don't have an ice cream maker, you can easily make this sorbet as long as you have a freezer and a little bit of vodka. Since alcohol doesn't freeze, the vodka helps add smoothness to the the crunchy, icy texture of the sorbet.

Is Italian Ice the same as sorbet? ›

Granita (aka Italian Ice)

Granitas have ingredients that are identical to sorbet—pureed fruit (or juice), sugar, and water—but they differ in texture. Unlike sorbet, which is smooth-churned, granita is scraped repeatedly during the freezing process, loosening its structure into icy flakes.

Why is sorbet colder than ice cream? ›

Sorbet is typically served at a colder temperature than ice cream, as it has a lower fat content and can melt more quickly.

What is the difference between a sorbet and a granita? ›

Like sorbet, granitas are often made from a puree of fruit, sugar, and water, but the difference is in their textures. Unlike sorbets, which are smooth-churned, granita purees are poured into a pan and placed in the freezer. The surface is scraped multiple times as it freezes, creating coarse, icy flakes.

What are the benefits of eating sorbet? ›

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 does sorbet do for you? ›

Give sorbet a try

1. It's low in calories and easy to eat after a meal. 2. It is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals when you add fresh or frozen fruit.

Does sorbet have a lot of sugar? ›

Sorbet is made up of fruit juices, syrup and water.

One cup of an all-fruit sorbet has 184 calories, 34 grams of sugar, 46.2 grams of carbohydrates and no fat. While no fat is good, sorbet is high in sugar and doesn't have any calcium, like milk-based frozen treats do.

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