Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (2024)

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This Homemade Lemon Sorbet is super easy to make, and you only need 3 ingredients! (And no ice cream maker required.) This sweet and zesty treat tastes just like frozen lemonade! It's the perfect frozen dessert to enjoy on hot summer days.

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (1)

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Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 🍴Ingredient Notes
  • 🍴Step by Step Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Recipe Variations
  • Serving Suggetions
  • How to store leftovers
  • Recipe Card
  • Expert Tips
  • How to Store Leftovers
  • Want more recipes?
  • 💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Healthy

Sorbet is a much lighter frozen treat compared to ice cream as its base is made with water instead of milk or cream. Because of this, it is a naturallydairy-free,gluten-free, andvegan friendlydessert!

I also used sweetened condensed coconut milk which is a great substitute for corn syrup!

Simple

The sorbet base is actually onlyTHREE simple ingredients!

All you need to make this easy lemon sorbet recipe is fresh lemon juice, filtered water, and sweetened condensed coconut milk for sweetness. It also helps to give it a softer texture, less icy texture.

Easy

Traditional sorbet recipes combine water and white sugar in a small saucepan to make a simple syrup which requires more time and more cleaning!

You also typically need an ice cream machine, but this recipe just requires blending and freezing! You can use afood processoror high-speed blender like a Vitamix.

🍴Ingredient Notes

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (2)
  • Fresh Lemon Juice - Fresh squeezed is best, but you can also purchase Santa Cruz Organic Lemon Juice to save time.
  • Water - For best flavor, I suggest using filtered water.
  • Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk - I used the Organic Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk fromNature's Charm. This is what gives the sorbet its sweetness and soft texture.

If you love easy homemade sorbet recipes like this, you have to try my Lime Sorbet,Healthy Peach Sorbet, and No Sugar Added Pineapple Sorbet!

🍴Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Add Ingredients into Blender

Add one cup lemon juice, one cup water, and ⅓ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk into a high-speed blender.

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (3)

Step 2: Blend Lemon Mixture

Blend the lemon mixture on high for about 30 seconds.

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (4)

Step 3: Pour into Container & Freeze

Pour the lemon mixture into a freezer safe airtight container. Freeze for about 6 hours or overnight.

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (5)

Step 4: Remove from Freezer

Remove the container from the freezer and let it defrost for about 10 minutes.

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (6)

Step 5: Blend Lemon Sorbet

For a less icy sorbet, break the frozen lemon sorbet into smaller chunks and add them into a food processor or blender.

Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Transfer the sorbet into small serving cups using an ice cream scoop. Place the sorbet in the freezer until you're ready to enjoy!

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (7)
Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (8)

Expert Tips

  • Pour the lemon mixture into silicone ice cube trays to make it easier to blend.
  • Don't forget to scrape down the edges with aspatulawhile the sorbet is blending.
  • If you don't have afood processor, you can also use aheavy-duty blenderlike a Vitamix. Both will achieve the right consistency.
  • For best results, usefresh lemons to make this recipe. If you'd like to save on prep time, my favorite store-boughtorganic lemon juiceis from the brandSanta Cruz.
  • Use anice cream scoopto serve.
  • You can enjoy this sorbet right out of the freezer, but it will be a bit icy. I highly recommend the second blend tocreate a creamier texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lemon Sorbet Healthy?

It all depends on your definition of healthy, but this recipe is lower in sugar, and made with only three ingredients! It's also a naturally dairy-free and gluten-free frozen treat.

Sorbet vs. Ice Cream

Sorbet is usually made with a fruit puree, or in this case - lemon juice! The base of sorbet is made with water while ice cream contains dairy products like milk or cream!

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (9)

Recipe Variations

Flavor

Switch up the flavor by adding in lime juice! You can easily double the recipe and make a lemon lime flavor. Or use a half cup of lime and a half cup of lemon juice to create alemon lime flavored sorbet!

You can also add in frozen blueberriesto make a blueberry lemon sorbet!

For a zingy flavor, save the lemon peel and add a little lemon zest to the mixture. (Use a small handgrater.)

Sweetness

If you're looking for a sweeter treat, just add a couple extra tablespoons of sweetened condensed coconut milk!

Lemonade

Instead of freezing the lemon mixture, serve over ice for a simple and delicious lemonade!

Serving Suggetions

I used mini glass mason jars, but any small cup will work.

For a fancier look, stick a littlelemon wedgeinto each cup and add somelemon zest on top!

Serve them in paper"Italian Ice Cups"for a more nostalgic feel! We always had these at our local Italian Ice shop when I was a kid. By serving them this way, you don't need a spoon!

Scrape out the inside of lemon halves to create lemon shells for serving!

How to store leftovers

Leftover lemon sorbet should be stored in anairtight containerin thefreezerfor up to a week. Make sure you use a freezer-safe container!

When it comes out of the freezer, you will need tolet it defrostfor about 10 minutes before trying to scoop it out.

I highly recommendyou blend it again to create a creamier consistency before serving.

More frozen treats!

  • Dairy-Free Cherry Ice Cream Bars Dipped in Chocolate
  • Easy Creamy Coffee Popsicle Recipe (Dairy Free)
  • Easy Homemade Watermelon Italian Ice Recipe
  • Creamy Coconut Ice Cream Bars (Dairy Free)

After you make this Lemon Sorbet, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!

Recipe Card

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (14)

This Homemade Lemon Sorbet is super easy to make, and you only need 3 ingredients! (And no ice cream maker required.) This sweet and zesty treat tastes just like frozen lemonade! It's the perfect frozen dessert to enjoy on hot summer days.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 97 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 Cup Filtered Water
  • Cup Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk

Instructions

  • Add fresh lemon juice, water, and sweetened condensed coconut milk into a high-speed blender.

  • Blend the lemon mixture on high for about 30 seconds.

  • Pour the mixture into a freezer safe aright container. Freeze for about 6 hours or overnight.

  • Remove the container from the freezer and let it defrost for about 10 minutes.

  • Break the frozen lemon sorbet into smaller chunks and add them into a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Use an ice cream scoop to serve!

Notes

Expert Tips

  • Pour the lemon mixture intosilicone ice cube traysto make it easier to blend.
  • Don't forget to scrape down the edges with aspatulawhile the sorbet is blending.
  • If you don't have afood processor, you can also use aheavy-duty blenderlike a Vitamix. Both will achieve the right consistency.
  • For best results, usefresh lemonsto make this recipe. If you'd like to save on prep time, my favorite store-boughtorganic lemon juiceis from the brandSanta Cruz.
  • Use anice cream scoopto serve.
  • You can enjoy this sorbet right out of the freezer, but it will be a bit icy. I highly recommend the second blend tocreate a creamier texture.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover lemon sorbet should be stored in anairtight containerin thefreezerfor up to a week. Make sure you use a freezer-safe container!

When it comes out of the freezer, you will need tolet it defrostfor about 10 minutes before trying to scoop it out.

I highly recommendyou blend it again to create a creamier consistency before serving.

** See full post for more information and helpful tips!

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 36mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 0.4mg

Keywords 3 ingredient lemon sorbet, easy lemon sorbet, homemade lemon sorbet

Did you make this recipe?Tag @freshwaterpeaches on Instagram!

Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe - Fresh Water Peaches (2024)

FAQs

Why won t my lemon sorbet freeze? ›

If using lemon or lime juice, it's too intense on its own so start by diluting it with some water. 2 parts juice, 1 part water is a good starting point. 1-2 tbsp liqueur for flavor, but also prevents the sorbet from freezing solid.

What is lemon sorbet made of? ›

Sorbet is a deliciously simple blend of sweetened, frozen fruit. Made from a sugar water base with lemon juice and grated lemon zest, this lemon sorbet has an irresistibly light and creamy texture, without the heaviness of dairy-based sweet treats.

Why do you put lemon in sorbet? ›

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.

Can you make sorbet without an ice cream maker? ›

How to Make Lemon & Orange Sorbet Without an Ice Cream Maker
  1. Combine sugar and water over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let boil and remove from heat.
  2. Once cooled add in the zest and juice and stir again.
  3. Freeze. ...
  4. Freeze for 2-3 hours util it is somewhat solid.
May 15, 2020

What is the best sugar for sorbet? ›

Sucrose is fairly sweet and doesn't add much body to a syrup. 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.

What thickens sorbet? ›

But Italian sorbets, called sorbettos, have the same luxurious mouth-feel as an ice cream. I worked on many batches before discovering that through a combination of reducing down the simple syrup to concentrate it, and then adding some thickening via a bit of cornstarch, it could happen!

Why put egg white 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.

Is sorbet made with water or milk? ›

What exactly is sorbet? Sorbet is a frozen dessert made primarily of fruit puree, water, and sweeteners.

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.

Does sorbet need egg? ›

"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.

What happens if you use too much sugar in the sorbet? ›

Making Perfectly Smooth Sorbet

Too little sugar and the sorbet becomes icy, too much and it can be slushy — hit the sugar level just right and the sorbet will taste creamy and melt evenly across your tongue.

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.

How long does homemade sorbet last? ›

Homemade sorbet generally lasts for about 2 to 3 months when properly stored in the freezer.

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

Why is my sorbet not setting? ›

If your sorbet is too soft or melty after churning and freezing: Melt the base back down to liquid, add more fruit purée or acid to lower the ratio of sugar to liquid, then re-churn OR. Re-freeze your churning bowl and make sure it's properly cold—frozen for a full 24 hours minimum—before attempting to rechurn.

What causes popsicles to not freeze? ›

The liquid you're making pops with contains alcohol or if it's too high in fat, oil or sugar. The liquid you're making pops with is too soft or has too many solids. For example, if you made a chocolate pop from cocoa and used too high of a cocoa to water ratio, your pop may not freeze.

How to make sorbet freeze faster? ›

You can take any ice cream recipe and quick-freeze it using freezing point depression by adding salt to some ice with some water. The same process may be used to quick-freeze sorbet.

Does sorbet freeze hard? ›

Freeze for at least 4 hours, until the sorbet has hardened. Homemade sorbet will generally keep for about a month in the freezer before starting to become overly icy. Serve the sorbet. Let the sorbet soften for a few minutes on the counter, then scoop into serving bowls.

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