Fruit sorbet is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and icy. It’s the nail on a hot summer’s day when you need something cool. Making it at home isn’t just easy; it’s a lot of fun. You can get creative, and there’s something quite satisfying about crafting a treat that hits all the right notes. Plus, it’s a healthier alternative to ice cream, with just the natural sweetness of fruit at its core.
This raspberry sorbet (Minimalist Baker) is a super-simple recipe made with raspberries and coconut cream (chilled cans of coconut milk – Biona and Nature’s Harvest are two good brands that guarantee no monkey-slave harvesting). The recipe also includes a little tropical mango (a more local version could sub with peach).
Keep sorbets away from pets due to unsafe ingredients (cocoa, nuts, salt, dried fruits). Read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen.
Choosing the Right Fruit
Strawberries are always a crowd-pleaser with their sweet and slightly tart flavour. Mangoes bring an exotic touch with their luscious texture, perfect for a tropical vibe. Lemons, with their zesty brightness, make for a refreshing option. For a classic twist, don’t overlook the velvety texture of ripe peaches or the bold burst of raspberries.
How do you know if your fruit is ripe? Look for fruits that give a little when pressed gently. They should have a rich aroma and vibrant colour. Ripe fruits will give you a sweeter and more flavourful sorbet. Unripe fruit can make your sorbet taste flat or even sour. Trust your senses: smell, touch, and sight.
Serving and Storing Your Sorbet
Get creative with serving. Scoop your sorbet into bowls and garnish with fresh fruit or a sprig of mint. Serve in a hollowed-out coconut or pineapple for a tropical flair.
To keep your sorbet fresh, store it in an airtight container in the freezer. Press a piece of cling film directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals. When ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.
Where to Buy Good Fruit Sorbet
If you think sorbet is watery and sugary, you’ve been eating the wrong sorbet! Many companies that produce artisan ice-cream also produce rich creamy sorbets that are almost like real ice-cream, made from fruit and a little natural sugar.
Keep sorbets away from pets due to unsafe ingredients (cocoa, nuts, salt, dried fruits). Read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen.
- Ruby Violet offers sorbets that are pretty much like ice-cream including blackberry.
- Treleavens Raspberry Sorbet is made in Cornwall, with a deep pink-red hue and ‘tangy tongue fizz’ and subtle seedy crunch.
- Sussex Ice Cream Company offers artisan sorbets made with Sussex mineral water. Choose from raspberry or apple basil.
- Jude’s sorbets are sold widely in stores. Try the blood orange sorbet, ideal to cleanse the palate after Italian or Spanish meals.
