Sorbet vs. Sherbet: What's the Difference? (2024)

When it comes to chilled refreshments, you are hard pressed to do better than a sorbet or sherbet. Whether you are using one of these light frozen treats as a garnishing scoop for a baked dessert, or as the main event, their bright intense flavors are a welcome note at the end of a meal. But while many use the designations interchangeably, sorbet and sherbet are actually two very different recipes.

OK, but what is sorbet?

Sorbet is essentially made of a simple sugar syrup, infused with fruit puree or juice or another flavoring agent like coffee or chocolate, that is then chilled and churned. The texture and any subtle creaminess comes entirely from the aeration created during the churning process, creating micro ice crystals and a smooth texture. Commercial sorbets are almost always much smoother than you can achieve at home due to their ability to freeze the mixture faster and churn more powerfully so that the results are velvety and not icy at all. Since sorbets are usually mostly juice or puree, they are also a terrific place to play with interesting vegetable or herb flavorings, think watermelon basil, or beet pomegranate, or green apple celery, or peach thyme, or chef Sam Fore's Tropical Jackfruit–Ginger Ale Sorbet with Charred Pineapple.

Our Best Sorbet Recipes

Got it. So, what is sherbet?

Sherbet is a similar preparation to sorbet, but with some sort of added dairy product (or dairy alternative like in this Boysenberry Oat Milk Sherbet). Unlike ice cream, which is a milk or cream-based recipe with some flavoring, the ratios for sherbet have a much smaller percentage of dairy, which is there to support the main flavors. The dairy can be milk, cream, buttermilk, or even evaporated or sweetened condensed milk. In some sherbets, milk or cream or buttercream are additionally supplemented with egg white or gelatin for texture. The added dairy allows for a rounder and more subtle flavor, and much smoother texture due to the added fat, but still lets the flavors of the fruit really shine. 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.

Lemon and Fresh Sorrel Sherbet

And how is sherbet pronounced?

"Sure bet!" not "Sure, Bert." Lots of people add a second "r" but that's not technically correct.

Why does the difference between sherbet and sorbet matter? It is because of the dairy?

For starters, since the basic elemental difference is that sherbet includes dairy and sorbet does not, it is an especially important distinction if you or someone in your sphere is vegan or chooses to eat dairy-free, since then you know you can serve sorbet without worry. While sherbets make for a fun lighter frozen dessert, with plenty of creaminess but not the wallop of an ice cream, they tend to shine best on their own in a bowl or on a cone. One special exception worth trying is to whip softened (but not melted) sherbet into lightly set gelatin of the same flavor and quickly pouring it back into a lightly greased Bundt pan or the like to create a fluffy, jiggly molded dessert that is a bit of throwback yum.

So how do I serve sorbet?

Sorbets, on the other hand, play very well with others. They are a wonderful pairing with baked desserts, or with fresh fruit, or even with a float of sparkly wine for a fizzy sweet meal-ender. If you are not worried about the dairy aspect, a scoop of sorbet nestled beside a scoop of ice cream in a complementary flavor is all kinds of fabulous. If you like to go a bit old-school, revisit the classic intermezzo and serve a small scoop of punchy sorbet between your starter and your entrée, to cleanse the palate. This is an especially fun mini course to add to a dinner party, and also a sneaky way to buy an extra 15 minutes of kitchen time for the cook to finish zhuzhing the main course.

Sorbet vs. Sherbet: What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Sorbet vs. Sherbet: What's the Difference? ›

sorbet has to do with the addition or not of dairy, sorbet is traditionally both dairy-free and vegan, while sherbet typically is neither vegan friendly nor dairy-free.

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

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.

Which is healthier, sorbet or sherbet? ›

On the flipside nutritionally, sherbet and sherbert will have more nutrients (even if more saturated fat) than sorbet. "Sherbet generally has some addition of dairy, though less than ice cream, and therefore, it will have more protein and minerals like calcium than sorbet," she says.

Does sherbert have milk in it? ›

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.

What ingredient totally differentiates ice cream from sorbet and sherbet? ›

Sherbet is prepared in an analogous way to sorbet but includes subtle touches of dairy, usually milk, cream, or buttercream. The ratio of dairy in sherbet is much less than in ice cream or gelato, while sorbet is dairy-free.

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.

Can a diabetic eat sorbet? ›

"It really depends on each person's individual dietary needs and what their health goals are," says Joy. "For example, if you're sensitive to eating dairy, then you should go for the sorbet. But if you're watching your blood-sugar levels, then sorbets aren't the best choice because they raise blood sugar quicker."

What ice cream has no sugar? ›

Table. Best sugar-free ice cream brands
BrandCalories per half cup or one serving or one scoop
4. Arctic Zero Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert40 to 80
5. MUD Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert113
6. So Delicious No Sugar Added Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert120 to 156
7. Enlightened Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert80 to 100
5 more rows

What is ice cream without milk called? ›

Sorbet well its just water, sugar and pureed fruit and its basically called 'water ice'. They dont contain dairy or fat and their texture is basically icy compared to the creamier ice creams or gelatos.

Is sherbet good for you? ›

Sorbet and sherbet are both lower in calories than the rich, high-fat “gourmet” ice creams. However, their high sugar content means they may have about the same amount of calories as light ice cream or frozen yogurt, or some store-brand ice creams.

Is sorbet good for an upset stomach? ›

It's the lemon sorbet that aids digestion,” she said. “You don't need to eat sorbet to get the benefits and you can avoid the sugar of the sorbet by just having fresh lemon squeezed in your water.”

Are gelato and sherbet the same? ›

Gelato is similar to ice cream but typically contains less cream and air. Frozen yogurt uses yogurt as its primary ingredient rather than milk and cream. Unlike ice cream, sherbet uses fruit juice or fruit purée as its main ingredient and typically only has a small amount of dairy.

Can I use sorbet instead of sherbet? ›

The Difference Between Sorbet and Sherbet

Sherbet and sorbet are both fruity frozen treats whose names are often incorrectly used interchangeably. The main difference? Sherbet contains dairy while sorbet has no dairy.

What is gelato made of? ›

Like ice cream, gelato uses milk, cream, and sugar, but it differs in proportions. Gelato uses less cream and more milk than ice cream and typically contains no egg yolks or eggs at all. Gelato is served slightly warmer than American ice cream and is also churned at a slower rate, introducing less air into the product.

Why do Americans call sorbet sherbet? ›

Both are derived from the Turkish and Persian words şerbet and sharbat respectively. In turn, they are ultimately derived from the Arabic word for 'drink', sharba. The difference appears to be an American distinction between an ice that has a small amount of dairy (sherbet) and one that has none (sorbet).

What is a sherbet fountain made of? ›

Sugar, Treacle, Wheat flour (Wheat flour, Calcium carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin),Cornflour, Sodium bicarbonate, Acids (Citric acid, Tartaric acid), Colour (Plain caramel),Liquorice extract, Anti-caking agent (Tri-calcium phosphate), Flavouring, Aniseed oil.

Why is sherbet no ice cream? ›

Sherbet is technically not ice cream, even though they both can contain fruit and dairy products. The big difference is that sherbet's main ingredient is fruit juice or purée, while ice cream's main ingredients are typically milk and cream.

What is sherbet made out of? ›

Sherbet (/ˈʃɜːrbət/), often referred to as sherbert (/ˈʃɜːrbərt/), is a frozen dessert made from water, sugar, a dairy product such as cream or milk, and a flavoring – typically fruit juice or purée, wine, liqueur, and occasionally non-fruit flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, or peppermint.

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