Watermelon sorbet is a frozen dessert made without any dairy products, using only watermelon. Unlike traditional Italian gelato, sorbet doesn't contain milk, cream, or eggs. Instead, it's made with fruit and sugar, making it a lighter and lower-calorie option.
The lack of animal ingredients and the high fruit content make sorbet one of the lightest desserts available. Specifically, watermelon sorbet is perfect for summer because it's incredibly refreshing and helps quench your thirst.
To make watermelon sorbet at home, you only need a few simple ingredients: water, sugar, watermelon, and lemon juice. It's a straightforward process that can be done with or without ice cream maker.
In the following steps, I will guide you through the process of making watermelon sorbet. The end result will be a delicious, refreshing treat that you'll love!
Ingredients
WITH Ice Cream Maker:
- Prep Time: 30 Min + about 40 min in ice cream maker
- Cook Time: 5 Min
- Servings: 4/6 people that is about 500 g (1.1 pound) of watermelon sorbet
WITHOUT Ice Cream Maker:
- Prep Time: 30 Min + cooling in the freezer for about 5 hours
- Cook time: 5 Min
- Servings: 4/6 people that is about 500 g (1.1 pound) of watermelon sorbet
- 150 g (¾ cup) of granulated sugar
- 200 ml (⅔ cup) of water
- 500 g (1.1 pound) of watermelon pulp
- 1 lemon juice
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
Essential Tools for Making Watermelon Sorbet: First, you need either a traditional blender or a high-quality immersion blender to puree the watermelon until smooth.
Recommended Ice Cream and Sorbet Makers: Using an ice cream and sorbet maker is very helpful. The best ones have a compressor to cool while mixing, like the Whynter Automatic Ice Cream Maker.
Italian Quality Ice Cream Makers: Another great option is the Musso ice cream makers, made in Italy and known worldwide. The Lello 4080 Musso Lussino model is ideal for home use, offering professional features. It's a bit pricey, but it makes perfect Italian sorbet quickly.
Budget-Friendly Ice Cream Makers: There are ice cream makers without compressors that need their containers pre-frozen. The Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker is affordable and practical.
Making Sorbet Without an Ice Cream Maker: You can still make good sorbet without an ice cream maker by following a detailed recipe and using a sorbet container for mixing and storing.
Fun Serving Ideas: Consider a fun hand-painted ceramic bowl for serving your watermelon sorbet. It makes a cute gift and adds charm to your summer table!
Instructions
I will now show you how to make watermelon sorbet WITH and WITHOUT the ice cream maker. Follow my recipe step by step!
BEFORE YOU START! if you are not going to use the ice cream maker, do not forget to put a container in the freezer for a few hours beforehand. When you are ready to pour in the sorbet mixture, the container MUST be very cold.
How to Make Watermelon Sorbet WITH Ice Cream Maker
Step 1) - Start by cutting a watermelon in half. Scoop out all the red, juicy part (the pulp). Then chop the watermelon pulp into large chunks. Remove any seeds you find.
Step 2) - Take a lemon and squeeze out the juice. Next put the watermelon chunks into a blender.
Step 3) - Add the lemon juice. Strain the juice through a strainer to catch any lemon seeds. Blend the mixture until it's smooth and pureed.
Step 4) - In a small saucepan, mix sugar and water. Heat it on low until the sugar dissolves completely, but make sure it doesn't turn brown. Let this sugar syrup cool down fully.
Finally add the cooled sugar syrup to the watermelon puree. Stir everything together well until it's smooth.
Step 5A) - Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker. Follow the machine's instructions and let it churn the sorbet. This usually takes about 40 minutes.
Once it's done, you can either enjoy the fresh watermelon sorbet right away or store it in the freezer for later.
How to Make Watermelon Sorbet WITHOUT Ice Cream Maker
If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can still make a great watermelon sorbet. The process is very simple, but takes longer (4 hours instead of 40 minutes).
BEFORE YOU START! Place the sorbet container in the freezer for at least 2 hours before use!
Step 5B) - Follow the first 4 steps described above. When the watermelon sorbet mixture is ready, pour it into the cooled container. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and stir with a whisk. Return the watermelon sorbet to the freezer.
You need to repeat this mixing process a few times. Always about 30 minutes apart (it takes about 5 hours).
If the watermelon sorbet is practically liquid at first, it will gradually become more consistent. If you break up the ice crystals well each time, you will get a creamy strawberry sorbet, similar to what you get with an ice cream maker. Enjoy!
YOU MUST ALSO TRY:
Storage
You can store Watermelon sorbet in the freezer for up to one month. Of course, sorbet tastes best when it's freshly made and has the right consistency.
If you want to store it in the freezer for a long time, you run the risk of ending up with a completely frozen block.
In fact, sorbets do not contain fat like the gelato, which prevents them from solidifying completely. In sorbets, the watery component prevails.
You will always be able to have a soft and creamy sorbet if you do it this way:
Take the sorbet out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Then, with a spoon or knife, break the block into pieces and place it in a blender. Blend until you get a creamy consistency like when it's freshly made!
Variations and Tips
CREAMY SORBET WITH EGG WHITE: Whipping egg white into the sorbet makes it creamier. However, this method isn't suitable if you want to avoid animal products.
DECORATING: You can make the watermelon sorbet more fun by adding small dark chocolate chips on top, making it look like watermelon seeds. This not only adds a playful touch but also tastes great, as the combination of watermelon and chocolate is delicious!
WHIPPED CREAM: In places like Sicily, people often enjoy their sorbets with a dollop of whipped cream. This makes the dessert richer and more indulgent while still being lower in calories than traditional gelato.
WITH ALCOHOL: Adding alcohol to sorbet can enhance both its flavor and texture. Alcohol lowers the freezing point, making the sorbet softer and easier to serve. For example, adding Limoncello to strawberry sorbet gives it a lovely complementary taste, while Vodka provides a drier flavor. Just mix a small amount (about 50 ml - ~3 tablespoons) into the sorbet mixture before freezing. Be careful not to add too much, or the sorbet may not freeze properly.
Recipe Card
Refreshing Watermelon Sorbet Recipe
Ingredients
- 150 g granulated sugar - ¾ cup
- 200 ml water - ⅔ cup
- 500 g watermelon pulp, 1.1 pound
- 1 lemon juice
Instructions
HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON SORBET WITH ICE CREAM MAKER
- Start by cutting a watermelon in half. Scoop out all the red, juicy part (the pulp). Then chop the watermelon pulp into large chunks. Remove any seeds you find.
- Take a lemon and squeeze out the juice. Next put the watermelon chunks into a blender.
- Add the lemon juice. Strain the juice through a strainer to catch any lemon seeds. Blend the mixture until it's smooth and pureed.
- In a small saucepan, mix sugar and water. Heat it on low until the sugar dissolves completely, but make sure it doesn't turn brown. Let this sugar syrup cool down fully.
- Finally add the cooled sugar syrup to the watermelon puree. Stir everything together well until it's smooth.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker. Follow the machine's instructions and let it churn the sorbet. This usually takes about 40 minutes. Once it's done, you can either enjoy the fresh watermelon sorbet right away or store it in the freezer for later.
HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON SORBET WITHOUT ICE CREAM MAKER
- If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can still make a great watermelon sorbet. The process is very simple, but takes longer (4 hours instead of 40 minutes). BEFORE YOU START! Place the sorbet container in the freezer for at least 2 hours before use!
- Follow the first 4 steps described above. When the watermelon sorbet mixture is ready, pour it into the cooled container. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and stir with a whisk. Return the watermelon sorbet to the freezer. You need to repeat this mixing process a few times. Always about 30 minutes apart (it takes about 5 hours).
- If the watermelon sorbet is practically liquid at first, it will gradually become more consistent. If you break up the ice crystals well each time, you will get a creamy strawberry sorbet, similar to what you get with an ice cream maker. Enjoy!
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