Lemon Sorbet Recipe

Lemon sorbet is the perfect no-bake summer dessert.

It’s cool, slushy, and totally refreshing. Not to mention it’s absolutely brimming with bright, zingy lemon flavor. 

It’s also super easy to prepare – you need only fresh lemons, sugar, and water! Try it at your next summer gathering, and it’s sure to please.

Homemade Lemon Sorbet 

I love homemade ice cream recipes – truly, I do. But sometimes, they can be too sweet to be refreshing. Especially on really hot days. 

That’s not the case with this simple, 3-ingredient lemon sorbet.

It’s perfectly cooling. And while it’s sweet enough to be a satisfying dessert, it isn’t overly sugary or rich. 

Like most sorbet recipes, it’s naturally dairy-, gluten-, and egg-free. That makes it an excellent choice for guests with different dietary needs.

Did I mention it’s also vegan-friendly? And with the right sugar substitute, it can even be low-carb! 

Ingredients 

This no-bake summer dessert has only three required ingredients and one optional one. They are: 

• Sugar and Water. Boil these to make simple syrup so the sourness isn’t overwhelming.

• Lemons. Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. Now isn’t the time to reach for a bottle. 

• Vodka. Vodka is optional, but highly recommended. It helps prevent the sorbet from freezing too hard. Be careful not to add too much, though. If you do, it will prevent the sorbet from setting at all. 

How to Make Lemon Sorbet 

The easiest way to make lemon sorbet is with an ice cream maker.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Make simple syrup. Simmer the sugar in water until it dissolves, then let it cool fully.

2. Finish the syrup. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vodka (if using). Then, refrigerate the mixture until it’s cold. 

3. Make the sorbet. Strain the cold mixture into an ice cream maker. Then follow the instructions for churning until the sorbet is slushy and soft. 

4. Freeze. Transfer the sorbet to a freezer-safe, airtight container. Freeze for at least 4 hours to firm it up. Then, serve and enjoy! 

How to Make Sorbet Without an Ice Cream Maker 

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, don’t worry! You can make an easy no-churn sorbet with a few extra steps.

Here’s how:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above, then pour the mixture into a shallow freezer-safe container.
2. Freeze the sorbet, but stir it with a fork every 30 minutes to break up any ice crystals.
3. Repeat freezing and stirring until the sorbet is fully frozen and ready to eat. 

Full disclosure, it won’t be as smooth as sorbet made in an ice cream maker. But it’s still really tasty!

Recipe Tips and Variations

Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind before you start: 

• Roll the lemons to maximize juice extraction. Just press them gently on the counter and roll them under your palm to release the juices. It also makes them easier to squeeze.

• Use room-temperature lemons as they release more juice than cold fruits. If you store them in the fridge, get them out about 30 minutes early.

• Chill the syrup. That’s the simple syrup and the lemon syrup. Chill both well before moving onto the next step in the recipe. If the syrup is warm, it won’t set properly and will take much longer to churn.

• Freeze the ice cream maker bowl. Ensure it’s frozen solid (at least 8-12 hours in the freezer) before churning. If the bowl isn’t cold enough, the sorbet won’t set properly.

• Don’t go overboard with vodka. You should use no more than 2 to 3 tablespoons. Any more and it won’t set.

• Change the flavor. Try lime, orange, or grapefruit juice and zest. You can even add herbs or lavender to the mix if you like. Just don’t forget to strain it before churning.

More Lemon Desserts

Lemon Cheesecake
Starbucks Lemon Loaf (Copycat Recipe)
Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies
Lemon Cake With Yellow Cake Mix
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins