Lemon Basil Sorbet: Refreshing Summer Bliss Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
