Description
This Lemon Basil Sorbet is a refreshing and vibrant summer dessert combining the zesty brightness of fresh lemon juice with the aromatic sweetness of fresh basil. Perfect for cooling down on warm days, this sorbet features a simple syrup base infused with herbs and churned to a smooth, icy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sorbet Base
- 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. Next, finely chop the basil leaves using a chiffonade technique to release their aromatic flavor.
- Make Simple Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat once dissolved.
- Combine Flavors: Pour the fresh lemon juice and chopped basil into the warm sugar syrup. Stir gently until everything is well combined and the mixture is fragrant with basil.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the mixture and place it in the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for at least 4 hours so the flavors meld and the base cools thoroughly.
- Churn Sorbet: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, usually about 20-30 minutes.
- Freeze to Firm Up: Transfer the churned sorbet to an airtight container and freeze for a few hours to firm up before serving. Enjoy your refreshing lemon basil sorbet!
Notes
- Use fresh basil leaves rather than dried for the best aromatic flavor.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the sugar amount or using natural sweeteners like honey or agave syrup.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals until firm.
- For a more intense basil flavor, steep the chopped basil in the warm syrup for 10 minutes before adding lemon juice, then strain out basil before chilling.
- Consume sorbet within 2 weeks for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lemon basil sorbet, summer dessert, refreshing sorbet, frozen lemon dessert, basil sorbet, citrus sorbet
