Strawberry Sorbet

Strawberry Sorbet hits the spot on a hot summer day when you are craving something to cool you! For something that takes only a few simple ingredients and is surprisingly easy to make, this light and creamy homemade sorbet makes one delightful dessert.

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

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.

You make the best Strawberry Sorbet with the following:

• Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries.
• Sliced fresh strawberries: For garnish; optional.
• Fresh Lemon juice or lime juice
• Granulated sugar
• Kirsch or Cherry Liqueur: Also optional, but I love it for the flavor!
• Pinch of Salt: Can give a slight depth of flavor

Steps

It only takes a few simple steps for this great recipe:

1. Clean the fruit

If you’re using fresh strawberries, wash them thoroughly under running water. Skip this step for frozen strawberries.

Pat them dry using a paper towel and place them on the cutting board. Remove the crown and chop the strawberries and transfer them to a large bowl.

2. Combine strawberries and sugar

Sprinkle the sugar over strawberries and toss gently until sugar starts to dissolve. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave the strawberries to rest for at least an hour. Stir them frequently using a wooden spoon. (Add kirsch or cherry liqueur if you wish.)

3. Make the puree

After an hour, uncover the bowl and place the strawberries in a high-speed blender or food processor. Add the lemon juice and salt, and puree at medium speed for a few seconds until you get consistent and smooth strawberry puree.

You can use a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds or lumps from the strawberry puree. I personally leave them in.

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 in the refrigerator till 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. It comes out a gorgeous bright red color ready to satisfy your sweet tooth on a hot day!

Equipment

You’ll need a blender and an ice cream maker for this recipe!

The Ice Cream maker to use!

Tips

Here are some valuable tips to help you make the perfect sorbet that you can relish with those around you:

• When tasting the sorbet after freezing, add some sugar syrup if there’s too little sugar or add some water if there’s too much sugar, and refreeze the sorbet.
• Choose the right type of strawberry. For best results, wait until strawberry season and choose the ripest! You can also use frozen strawberries if you can’t find fresh strawberries. Just be sure to thaw them completely before using them. If you don’t thaw them properly, the liquid in them will make the sorbet runny.
• You can either use granulated sugar or simple syrup. Simple syrup is often used in professional kitchens as it provides a more consistent texture and flavor. However, granulated sugar will work fine if that is what you have. Consider using honey or pure maple syrup for a sugar-free option (you won’t have the same texture, though).
• Use any citrus juice of your preference – lemon, lime, or orange are all great choices.
• The sorbet will be ready to serve about 4-6 hours after placing it in the freezer the first time. If you’re freezing it for longer, keep the sorbet at room temperature for about ten minutes to soften it sufficiently for scooping.

Variation ideas

Although a simple Strawberry Sorbet tastes great, you can add more flavors to make it extra special. Here are a few that go well with strawberries:

• Mint: When it comes to Strawberry Sorbet, adding mint can help to bring out the natural sweetness of the strawberries.
• Peach: Peach and strawberry is a great combination. When done right, the two flavors complement each other perfectly, resulting in a sorbet that is both refreshing and satisfying. The ideal way is to use peach juice, or you can use the fruit as well.
• Watermelon: When watermelon is added to Strawberry Sorbet, those natural sugars help to bring out the natural sweetness of the strawberries. Not only does watermelon make strawberry sorbet taste sweeter, but it also makes it more refreshing and flavorful, thus perfect for hot summer days.
• Grapefruit juice: Adding grapefruit juice to the recipe gives the sorbet a citrusy, tangy and slightly bitter flavor that is irresistible. The combination of sweet strawberries and tart grapefruit juice is a perfect balance of flavors.
• Pomegranate juice: The sweetness of the strawberries is perfectly balanced by the tartness of the pomegranate juice, making for a truly unique and enjoyable flavor experience.
• Rum or Vodka: You can also add rum or vodka to the strawberry sorbet. As a result, the flavor is both unique and incredibly delicious. Not to mention, the added vodka gives the sorbet a little bit of an extra kick that is sure to please any adult palate.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cherry on top

Sorbets are a great alternative to ice cream during the blazing hot summer days. With the many benefits of strawberries, like a great Vitamin C source, low in sugar and calories, and a great source of folate and fiber, there’s all the more reason to try out this strawberry sorbet recipe.

You can also try different sorbet recipes using other fruits instead of strawberries. Watermelon, mango, and raspberry are refreshing summer fruits and make great sorbets with or without an ice cream maker.Take it up a notch and try fruit combinations. What’s the worst that could happen? You’ll end up with a refreshing slushie that you can still enjoy on any summer day. Bon Appétit!

Here’s the recipe!