Description
Refreshing Italian Lemon Sorbet brings zesty citrus magic to summer desserts, offering a cool palate cleanser with pure lemon essence. Silky smooth and elegantly simple, you’ll savor this light, tangy treat that instantly transports senses to Mediterranean coastlines.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fluid ounces) fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fluid ounces) water
Optional Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon vodka
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a sweet liquid base by whisking sugar and water together in a small saucepan, ensuring no granules remain visible.
- Position the saucepan over medium flame, gently stirring the mixture until the sugar crystals completely melt and transform into a clear, smooth syrup.
- Allow the syrup to rest and cool naturally, reaching ambient room temperature, which typically takes approximately 20-25 minutes.
- During the cooling period, zest and juice fresh lemons, extracting their vibrant citrus essence carefully to maximize flavor potential.
- Incorporate the lemon juice and zest into the cooled sugar syrup, whisking thoroughly to distribute the tangy citrus notes evenly throughout the liquid.
- Transfer the lemon-infused mixture into a shallow freezer-safe container, ensuring an even spread for consistent freezing.
- Place the container in the freezer, allowing the sorbet to set for several hours, and periodically scrape the developing ice crystals with a fork to maintain a smooth, light texture.
- Once fully frozen and appropriately crystallized, remove the sorbet from the freezer and let it soften slightly before serving to enhance its delicate, refreshing consistency.
Notes
- Select ripe, juicy lemons with smooth, vibrant skin for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
- Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a silky, smooth texture without sugar crystals.
- Chill the syrup completely before mixing with lemon juice to help the sorbet freeze faster and develop a more intense citrus profile.
- For a lighter, more refreshing version, reduce sugar slightly and add a splash of mint or basil for an unexpected herbal twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 50g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg