If you’re looking for a refreshing and tangy dessert, look no further than lime sorbet. This simple and delicious dessert is perfect for hot summer days or any time you’re craving something sweet and citrusy. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of homemade lime sorbet that’s sure to impress.
One of the great things about this simple recipe is that it’s easy to customize to your taste. You can adjust the sweetness and tartness levels to your liking, and even add in other flavors like mint or coconut for a fun twist. Plus, since it’s made with fresh lime juice, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought ice cream or sorbet.
So grab some limes and get ready to make a delicious and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion!
You don’t need an ice cream maker to make this easy dessert; just a blender or food processor and freezer would do. However, an ice cream machine does the trick if you prefer a smooth sorbet.
Ingredients
Homemade Sorbet is fruit puree mixed with sugar and water or fruit juice mixed with sugar, without eggs, milk, or cream. It can contain a lot of sugar if you get it in ice cream shops or grocery stores, but when you make it at home, you can control the amount of sugar for a healthier version.
Before you start making Lime Sorbet, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients you will need:
Limes: You’ll need the juice from about 9 limes to make this recipe, plus the zest of one.
Granulated sugar: You’ll need 3/4 cup sugar to sweeten the sorbet.
Water: Use 2¼ cup water to make the fruit puree.
Fresh Mint Leaves: Mint adds that little zing.
As you can see, the ingredients are pretty simple and easy to find. You can use either standard limes or Key Limes for this recipe, depending on your preference. When you’re selecting limes, make sure you leave them out of the fridge to get the most juice.
You’ll also need to make simple syrup for this recipe. Once the sugar has dissolved and you’ve added the lime zest, let the mixture cool before using it in the recipe.
The zest adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the sorbet that really makes it stand out. If you want to add a little extra something to your dessert, you can garnish it with some fresh mint leaves.
Steps
It only takes a few simple steps for this great recipe:
1. Squeeze those limes
If you want great lime sorbet, you have to use fresh limes. So squeeze the limes and grate the zest of one of the limes.
2. Dissolve the sugar
Combine 1/2 cup water and the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat to make a simple syrup. Grate the zest of the lime into the sugar water combination and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Cool, cool, cool
Remove from the heat and add the rest of the water. Put in the fridge to chill for either a few hours of overnight. Then remove and add the lime juice and stir.
4. Freeze (skip this step if you’re using an ice cream maker)
Transfer this pureed sorbet mixture into a freezer-safe container or a shallow loaf pan (and cover tightly with plastic wrap) and place it in the freezer for about 4 hours.
After it’s completely frozen, keep the sorbet at room temperature to partially thaw it. Transfer it to the food processor for a minute or two (for a light, fluffy texture). Transfer the sorbet back into its container and refreeze for at least 3 hours.
5. Chill and transfer to the ice cream maker (skip this step if you’re not using an ice cream maker)
Place the pureed mixture into a large bowl in the refrigerator until it is chilled. Transfer the mixture to the chilled container of your ice-cream maker and make the sorbet as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can start eating your sorbet immediately or keep it in the freezer for a couple of hours to firm it up.
Equipment
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the equipment you’ll need to make this delicious lime sorbet.
- Ice cream maker: While not required, an ice cream maker will make the process much easier and faster.
- Juicer: If you’re starting from scratch and juicing your own limes, a juicer will make the process much easier.
- Saucepan: You’ll need a small saucepan to make the simple syrup for the sorbet.
- Whisk: You’ll need a whisk to combine the lime juice, simple syrup, and water together.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, don’t worry! You can still make this lime sorbet without one.
Overall, this recipe doesn’t require any fancy or expensive equipment. Just a few basic kitchen tools and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a refreshing and tangy lime sorbet!
The Ice Cream maker to use!
You have to have an ice cream maker if you want to make ice cream or sorbet! I started making it using the Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato.
There is no faffing around with bowls in the freezer. When you are ready for ice cream, it’s ready. Just turn on the Cuisinart ice cream maker and go. In about 40 minutes, you have ice cream that you can eat right then, or you can put it in the freezer to harden up a bit more. Once done in, you’ll have about 1 litre of ice cream ready to devour!
Tips
Here are some valuable tips to help you make the perfect sorbet that you can relish with those around you:
Use Fresh Limes
For the best taste, use fresh limes when making lime sorbet. Fresh limes have a more intense flavor compared to bottled lime juice. To extract the most juice from the limes, roll them on a hard surface before cutting them open.
Variation ideas
Although a simple Pear Sorbet tastes great, you can add more flavors to make it extra special. Here are a few that go well with pear:
Mint Lime Sorbet
To make a mint lime sorbet, add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the lime sorbet mixture before blending. The mint adds a refreshing flavor that pairs well with the tartness of the lime.
Coconut Lime Sorbet
For a tropical twist on the classic lime sorbet, add some coconut milk or mango to the mixture. The coconut milk adds a creamy texture and a subtle coconut flavor that complements the lime. You can also top the sorbet with toasted coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.
Mango Lime Sorbet
You can add mango puree directly to the lime sorbet base or make the lime sorbet and then make my Mango Sorbet recipe and combine them!
Add a Splash of Vodka
Adding a small amount of vodka to the lime sorbet mixture can help prevent it from freezing too hard. Vodka has a lower freezing point than water, which means that it will help keep the sorbet soft and scoopable. It will also add a hint of boozy flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lime Sorbet gluten-free?
Yes, Lime Sorbet is gluten-free as it does not contain any wheat or gluten-containing ingredients.
Can Lime Sorbet be used in cocktails?
Yes, Lime Sorbet can be used in cocktails to add a refreshing citrus flavor.
How is Lime Sorbet different from Lime Sherbet?
Lime Sorbet is typically dairy-free and made with only fruit juice, water, and sugar, while Lime Sherbet contains milk or cream in addition to these ingredients. Sherbet also tends to be creamier and smoother in texture than sorbet.
Is Lime Sorbet vegan?
Yes, Lime Sorbet is vegan as it does not contain any animal products.
How long does Lime Sorbet last in the freezer?
If you store your sorbet in an airtight container or a properly covered container, it can last for up to a month in the freezer. And while it’s still safe to eat the sorbet beyond that, it starts becoming overly icy. With each scoop, you’re bound to get more ice crystals in your mouth.
The cherry on top
Overall, lime sorbet is a delicious and refreshing dessert that is perfect for any occasion and makes your taste buds zing and you get a healthy dose of vitamin c. Whether you are serving it at a party or enjoying it on your own, it is sure to be a hit.
Try a few of these other ice creams!
Here is the Lime Sorbet Recipe!
Lime Sorbet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 zest from 1 lime unwaxed or unsprayed
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 6 tbsp Champagne or sparkling wine optional
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of the water and the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Grate the zest of the lime into the sugar-water combination and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and add the rest of the water. Put in the fridge to chill for either a few hours or overnight.
- When chilled, remove from the fridge and add the rest of the lime juice.
- When ready, take it out of the fridge and make it in an ice cream maker according to manufacture's instructions.
- Serve immediately or put in freezer to chill.