TIP: If your freezer is too cold, the sorbet may look crumbly. If this occurs, select RESPIN to process the mixture a little more.

CREAMi PREP TIP: Make the most of your time by prepping several CREAMi™ Pints at once! Incorporate your favorite ice cream ingredients into your weekly grocery trip, then, Creamify™ on demand whenever a craving strikes! Looking for more pints? Purchase more at www.ninjacreami.com.

Fresh Mixed Berry Sorbet

Do you crave the lush taste of frozen fruit but don’t want to make something that includes dairy? Some people just can’t eat dairy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cold treat. For people who crave ice cream without all the cream, the perfect dessert can be a mixed berry sorbet. 

The only downside you’ll experience when making this sorbet from fresh  fruit is choosing which berries you’ll use! But don’t worry because, with this berry sorbet recipe, we’ve identified the berries that will cause a burst of flavor in your homemade sorbet.

What is Sorbet? History of this Frozen Treat

Sorbet was initially used as a palate cleanser between meals. Sometime after the 1600s, it moved into the dessert category. The frozen treat originated in the Middle East where it was made with water and sweetened fruit juice. 

Today, sorbet is made from pureed fruit or berries and a sweetener such as honey or sugar. It’s a fairly simple recipe that’s also light and relatively healthy. A favorite among vegans, honey can be easily substituted honey for sugar or agave without sacrificing the great taste!

Mixed Berry Sorbet Variations 

Our recipe calls for a traditional mixed berry sorbet with blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. However, you don’t have to get bogged down in these specific ingredients. Sorbet is probably one of the most flexible desserts, which means you can really get creative when it comes to flavor. 

Consider adding in these unique twists, which can pair incredibly well with one or more of our given berries. 

Lemon

Adding a bit of lemon juice to your sorbet can give it a nice kick. Lemon pairs particularly well with sugar (just think of lemonade!) as well as with mainstream berries. Combine lemon with variations of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. 

Thyme

Packed with antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients, Thyme is an herb most renowned in French cooking. It’s traditionally paired with meats or roasted veggies, but pairing it with a raspberry sorbet can bring about a unique flavor. The herbal fragrance of Thyme blends particularly well with the sweetness of raspberries. Simply mince up and mix in some fresh Thyme for aromatic heaven.

Basil

Most people associate basil with Italian dishes, like pasta. But this herb has a particularly sweet side that pairs incredibly well with strawberries. You can find fresh basil at most grocery stores and it’s incredibly easy to mix in. Hint: buy the full basil plant so you can keep using the leaves in future recipes. 

Sage

Sage adds a warm, earthy note wherever it’s mixed in. We’ve found it pairs particularly well with the tartness of blackberries. If you’re looking to surprise your guests or try out a new flavor, this herb can be a great mix to a blackberry sorbet. Just remember that fresh is always best. 

Lavender

Lavender is loved for its calming, light, fresh scent. Its floral notes can also be the perfect complement to a mixed berry sorbet. Add it with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or any combination of the three. Just make sure to buy lavender herbs that are specific for cooking and are completely edible. 

Tips for Making a Mixed Berry Sorbet

There are a few tips you can follow if you want to be more successful in your sorbet-making adventures.

Tip #1: Prepare Ahead for Those Cravings

Sure, making mixed berry sorbet is easy, but what if you could simply open the freezer and pull out a pint? You can if you think ahead and make several pints of the delicious sorbet at once. Just eat one and save the rest for those times when you just need sorbet – right now!

Tip #2: Make Sure You Have What You Need

You never know when a craving for sorbet will strike, and if you don’t have the ingredients you need to make it, it can be frustrating. Luckily, that problem is easy to solve. Add the ingredients to your weekly grocery list to ensure that you can always Creamify™ on demand when the craving hits.

Tip #3: Stock up on Equipment

To ensure that you have what you need when you just have to have sorbet, you should purchase extra pints. Otherwise, you’ll have to eat the pint you make before you can make a second batch. Just go to Ninjacreami.com and stock up on extra pints so you can keep your freezer full of these special treats.

FAQ:

Q: What should I add to berry sorbet?

A: To make your berry sorbet unique, you can get creative. Add lemon to your blueberry sorbet, basil to your strawberry sorbet, or even acai to your mixed berry sorbet. You will only be limited by your imagination! 

Q: What is the difference between sorbet and ice cream?

A: Sorbet is made solely from fruit puree and a sweetener, while ice cream contains dairy products such as cream and milk. 

Q: What is the difference between sorbet and gelato?

A: Gelato, like ice cream, contains dairy, but it is denser and smoother than regular ice  cream. On the other hand, sorbet contains no dairy and is made with only fruit, water, and sweetener. 

Q: Do you need an ice cream maker to make homemade sorbet?

A: While it’s more difficult, it is possible to make sorbet without an ice cream maker. You can use the Ninja® Foodi® Power Blender Ultimate System with XL Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor* to combine the ingredients before freezing them. Some immersion blenders even have a sorbet control. Also, you can use a food processor in the same way. 

Q: Can you make sorbet without sugar?

A: Yes, you can use honey or agave instead of sugar to make sorbet. But keep in mind that if you use honey, the sorbet will no longer be vegan.

Directions for Mixed Berry Sorbet

Sometimes you’re in the mood for rich and decadent ice cream recipes like death by chocolate ice cream, but other times, you crave a simple and light fruit-based sorbet. If that’s what you’re craving today, read on to get the easy directions for this recipe for sorbet with berries.