Description
A refreshing, tangy lemon sorbet made with simple ingredients, perfect for a light and cooling dessert. This easy-to-make sorbet combines freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and a homemade simple syrup to deliver a bright and balanced flavor. Churned to a smooth texture and then frozen to firm perfection, it’s an ideal treat for warm weather or any time you want a palate-cleansing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Sorbet Base
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 4–5 large lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Optional Garnish
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Make Simple Syrup: Combine the water and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool down to room temperature.
- Add Lemon: Once the simple syrup has cooled, stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Chill Mixture: Transfer the lemon mixture to the refrigerator and chill it for at least 1 hour. This step helps the flavors meld and ensures the mixture is cold before churning.
- Churn: Pour the chilled lemon mixture into your ice cream maker. Churn it according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the sorbet reaches a smooth and thick consistency, which usually takes about 20–30 minutes depending on your machine.
- Freeze: Transfer the churned sorbet into a freezer-safe container. Freeze it for an additional 2 to 3 hours or until it firms up to your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Scoop the lemon sorbet into bowls or glasses. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired to add a hint of freshness and color.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice from ripe lemons rather than bottled juice.
- The simple syrup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals until smooth.
- Adjust the sugar amount to taste if you prefer a more or less sweet sorbet.
- Adding a pinch of salt can help enhance the lemon flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning
- Cuisine: American
