Lemon Basil Sorbet: Refreshing Summer Bliss Recipe

Introduction

Bright and refreshing, this Lemon Basil Sorbet is the perfect treat for warm days. Combining zesty lemon with fragrant basil, it offers a delightful balance of sweet and herbal flavors that will awaken your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (choose juicy lemons for the best results)
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (use fresh only for maximum flavor impact)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (can be swapped with agave or honey)
• 1 cup water (prefer filtered water for a cleaner taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Juice fresh lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice. Finely chop the basil leaves using a chiffonade technique to release their aromatic flavor.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine water and granulated sugar. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely, then remove from heat.
3. Step 3: Pour the lemon juice and chopped basil into the sugar syrup. Stir gently until well combined and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to chill thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the sorbet reaches a soft-serve consistency.
6. Step 6: Transfer the sorbet into an airtight container and freeze for a few hours to firm up before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegan option, replace granulated sugar with agave syrup or honey alternatives.
• If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.
• Add a splash of sparkling water before serving for a fizzy twist.

Storage

Store the sorbet in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week. To serve, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Fresh basil is best for flavor and aroma in this sorbet. Dried basil won’t provide the same vibrant taste and can make the sorbet less fresh-tasting.

How long does it take to churn the sorbet?

Churning time varies by ice cream maker, but it usually takes around 20-30 minutes to reach a soft-serve consistency.

Lemon Basil Sorbet: Refreshing Summer Bliss Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 116 reviews

This refreshing Lemon Basil Sorbet is a perfect summer treat that combines the zesty brightness of fresh lemon juice with the aromatic freshness of basil leaves. Easy to prepare with a simple syrup base, this sorbet is churned to a smooth, soft-serve consistency and then frozen to a delightful, icy finish that refreshes the palate and cools you down on warm days.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Churning
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup Fresh Lemon Juice (Choose juicy lemons for the best results.)
• 1/2 cup Fresh Basil Leaves (Use fresh only for maximum flavor impact.)
• 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Can be swapped with agave or honey.)
• 1 cup Water (Prefer filtered water for a cleaner taste.)

Instructions

1. Juice and Prepare Basil: Start by juicing your fresh lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Then, finely chop the basil leaves using a chiffonade technique to release their aromatic flavor.
2. Make Simple Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Avoid boiling. Remove from heat once fully dissolved.
3. Combine Ingredients: Pour the fresh lemon juice and chopped basil into the warm sugar syrup. Stir gently to combine all the flavors thoroughly and infuse the basil aroma.
4. Chill Mixture: Cover the mixture and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to cool down before churning.
5. Churn Sorbet: After chilling, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn following the manufacturer’s instructions until the sorbet reaches a soft-serve texture.
6. Freeze to Firm Up: Transfer the churned sorbet into an airtight container and freeze for a few hours until it firms up to a scoopable consistency.
7. Serve: Scoop and serve the sorbet as a refreshing summer dessert or palate cleanser.

Notes

• Use fresh basil for the best flavor; dried basil will not provide the same aromatic freshness.
• Adjust sweetness by varying the sugar amount or substituting agave or honey as preferred.
• If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until firm and slushy.
• For a more intense basil flavor, gently bruise the basil leaves before adding to the syrup.
• The sorbet is best served within a week for optimal freshness and flavor.

Keywords: lemon basil sorbet, lemon sorbet, basil dessert, summer dessert, refreshing sorbet, homemade sorbet, frozen lemon dessert