Looking for a refreshing homemade dessert? This easy Orange Sorbet is a sweet, citrusy treat that’s perfect for summer.
Sorbet is one of the easiest summer desserts to make in that it requires just a few ingredients, depending on the flavor you are going for. This time around, I opted for orange sorbet. It makes for a delicious, refreshing treat!
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What is orange sorbet?
Orange sorbet is a dairy-free frozen dessert made from fresh orange juice, sugar, and water. It’s known for its bright, refreshing flavor and silky smooth texture. Unlike sherbet, sorbet contains no milk or cream, so it's naturally vegan and gluten-free.
What makes this orange sorbet so awesome
- Just 3 ingredients
- Bursting with tangy orange flavor
- Dairy-free and vegan-friendly
- Perfect for summer, parties, or as a palate cleanser
- Done in 30 minutes
Ingredients for homemade orange sorbet
- Fresh orange juice
- Granulated sugar
- Water
Pro tip: Use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.
A note about sugar: Some sorbet recipes call for 6 cups of sugar (6! Whole cups of sugar! That's crazy talk, people!) You don't need to use that much. Just 1 ¼ cups of sugar in this recipe results in a sorbet that's the perfect of blend of ice, slush, sweetness, and citrus.
How to make orange sorbet
- Make the simple syrup
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and water to a boil. Then turn down to low and let it simmer until the sugar is fully dissolved. Then allow it to cool. - Mix the ingredients
In a bowl, combine the orange juice and cooled syrup. Mix with a whisk gently until well-blended. - Transfer to the ice cream maker
Turn on your ice cream maker, pour the mixture through the top opening, and allow it to do its magic according to the manufacturer's instructions. My ice cream maker turned the mixture into a lovely orange sorbet in 30 minutes.
Serving suggestions
- Serve in chilled bowls or hollowed-out orange halves.
- Add fresh mint or orange zest for a gourmet touch.
- Pair with shortbread cookies or serve between courses as a palate cleanser.
- Recipe FAQs
In an airtight container, sorbet will stay good for up to 3 weeks.
Absolutely. Just pour the combined orange juice and cooled simple syrup mixture into a shallow pan and freeze. Once frozen, break up the sorbet with a spoon and place it in a blender. Blend until smooth. Return the sorbet to the shallow pan and freeze again before serving.
The difference is dairy. Sorbet contains no dairy while sherbet uses a bit of cream or milk to produce a richer texture.
More delicious dessert recipes
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Orange Sorbet
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- 2 ¼ cup orange juice
Instructions
- In a small sauce pot over medium-high heat, bring sugar and water to a boil, then turn down to low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. This takes about 3-5 minutes. This creates a classic simple syrup that you can use in almost any sorbet recipe.
- Remove simple syrup from heat and allow to cool.
- Pour orange juice into a large bowl.
- Once the simple syrup is cool, add to the bowl of orange juice and mix with a whisk gently until the sugar and orange juice are well blended.
- Turn on your ice cream maker, pour the mixture through the top opening, and allow to do its magic according to manufacturer instructions. My ice cream maker turned the mixture into a lovely orange juice sorbet in 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Norma Howard says
Can I make this and then freeze it in a bowl to a soft frozen state, stir it with a fork and then let it freeze all the way? I don't have an ice cream maker. I'm going to be on a clear liquid diet starting 4 days before major surgery and probably post surgery.
HELP!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Norma, I have only made this using an ice cream maker, so I can't vouch for how it will turn out if you use other non-ice cream maker methods. You can try to freeze the base, and then process in a food processor, and freeze again. I've done that with other ice cream recipes, but not this one in particular. If you do try it, please let me know how it goes. And good luck with your surgery!
Norma says
Can I make this and then freeze it in a bowl to a soft frozen state, stir it with a fork and then let it freeze all the way? I don't have an ice cream maker. I'm going to be on a clear liquid diet starting 4 days before major surgery and probably post surgery.
HELP!
Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman says
If this post sparks a new food-tour itinerary, I want in! I love homemade ice cream and sorbet too: the sweet simplicity of a few carefully-chosen ingredients is comforting and refreshing for both body and soul.
Geoff (Steep Stories) says
I love sorbets, and this looks fantastic.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Geoff!
Susan says
How refreshing. And so simple to make. Perfect for this hot summer weather we are having.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It really is perfect for our weather lately. Thanks, Susan!
Julia says
As a child we had an Orange Julius near my house and I loved going there. So good! This sorbet looks like the perfect summer treat!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I forgot about Orange Julius! Yes- this definitely harkens back to those days...but with much less sugar! ;-)
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
I haven't tried making sobert yet - this looks like the perfect recipe to start with! Would be so refreshing in this heat.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Sorbet is super easy - try it! You'll want to make more :)
Erin says
Ha! That is totally true!
Kelley says
I need to freeze my ice cream maker - looks fantastic!
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
I LOVE Sweet Peaks!! This sorbet has me thinking of a very classy and gourmet orange julius!! I'm making this ASAP!
Danielle says
Wow, this recipe seems so simple! Even I could do it! I must admit my mouth is watering even this early in the morning looking at these sorbet photos. Looking forward to trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Erin says
There seriously is something so great and refreshing about sorbet when it is really hot out. I love how easy this is!
Rachel Lloyd says
We have an ice cream maker at my house! I will have to try this recipe. We have always just made Ice cream, but with the weather we have been having, it might be a good idea to try something light and refreshing.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Sounds like you had a great trip and so fun to bring those memories back into your kitchen. Love that you used much less sugar!
Pech says
I have a small confession to make. I'm slightly lactose intolerant too. I can't enjoy a full ice cream sundae without consequences 30 min layer, but thankfully many restaurants offer a sorbet dessert that I love getting scoops of multiple flavors. This orange sorbet sounds stupidly easy to make at home and topped with perfect mint leaves like yours it'll be as fancy as dining out but in the comfort of pj's after a hot walk home!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I love simplistic recipes like this one and your pictures are stunning Marlynn! I've never been able to scoop ice cream so nicely.