This Orange Sorbet is one of the easiest summer treats to make. You only need a few ingredients to make this fresh, fruity, frozen dish.
During our recent Oregon-Idaho-Montana-Washington road trip, we visited quite a few fantastic eateries. One of my favorite food trends that seems to be continuing throughout the country is the boutique ice cream and frozen yogurt shop, focused on local ingredients and specialty flavors. In Missoula, we loved visiting Big Dipper Ice Cream, and while in Kalispell, Montana, we stopped in at Sweet Peaks Ice Cream.
It was so very hot in Kalispell. Too hot for dairy, apparently, for both of my kids. They immediately chose the orange juice sorbet, which was the only dairy free option at Sweet Peaks on this day, so that was my selection as well.
It was so tasty that the kids really wanted to make it when we got home.
And I can never say no to my kids' requests when it comes to trying new recipes from scratch in our kitchen.
Orange Sorbet
Our sorbet had less sugar but tasted just as sweet and summery as the orange juice sorbet my kids fell in love with in Montana.
Sorbet is one of the easiest summer treats to make in that it requires just a few ingredients, depending on the flavor you are going for. However, it can also be tricky: put too much sugar and your sorbet might come out slightly slushy-like; put too little sugar, and you might have a slightly icy sorbet. That said, if you're going to be THAT picky about sorbet instead of enjoying the flavor and coolness on a hot summer day, then my kids and I would be GLAD to take that imperfect sorbet off your hands. :)
We recreated the orange juice sorbet, and I have to say: it turned out pretty darn fantastic.
The orange juice was bright and citrusy and the simple syrup was just the right amount. There are some sorbet recipes out there that call for 6 cups of sugar (SIX! Whole cups of sugar! That's crazy talk, people!), but I have to say: we didn't use anywhere close to that much, and our sorbet did not turn out to be icy at all. It was just the right blend of ice, slush, sweetness, and citrus -- a nicely balanced sorbet.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- 2 1/14 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
You can go ahead and put up to three or four more cups of sugar if you really want to, but remember that the orange juice also has sugar in it. Trust me: you really don't need that much sugar to make a delightfully delicious sorbet!
By the way, if you're looking for a great ice cream maker, this is the ice cream maker that I use and love all the time (affiliate link).
Try it for yourself this weekend and enjoy!
Do you love sorbet as much as we do, and if so: what's your favorite flavor? If not, what's your fave ice cream flavor? If you don't like sorbet OR ice cream, then how on earth are we to be friends??? ;-) I'll give you a pass if you at least like frozen yogurt.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Kelley says
I need to freeze my ice cream maker - looks fantastic!
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.
Erin says
There seriously is something so great and refreshing about sorbet when it is really hot out. I love how easy this is. Now if only I had an ice cream maker...
Erin says
Ha! That is totally true!
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 :)
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! ;-)
Geoff (Steep Stories) says
I love sorbets, and this looks fantastic.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Geoff!
Susan | LunaCafe says
How refreshing. And so simple to make. Perfect for this hot summer weather we are having. Wish I had a quart of it in the freezer right now. :-)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It really is perfect for our weather lately. Thanks, Susan!
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.
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!
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!