Sorbet is an incredibly refreshing and delicious dessert that many people enjoy, especially in the summertime.

Made with fruit, sugar, and water, sorbet is a simple yet sophisticated dessert that can be served as a palate cleanser between courses of a meal, or as a standalone dessert. If you’re interested in learning how to make perfect sorbet, look no further than your grandma’s recipe book. Here are some of her top secrets for making the best sorbet ever.

1. Use fresh, ripe fruit

The key to making great sorbet is to use fresh, ripe fruit. When fruit is at its peak ripeness, it’s packed with flavor and sweetness, which makes it perfect for sorbet.

Be sure to taste your fruit before you use it, and adjust the amount of sugar you add based on the fruit’s sweetness. If you use unripe or overripe fruit, your sorbet may not turn out as well.

2. Don’t skimp on the sugar

While it’s important to use ripe fruit that’s packed with natural sweetness, you shouldn’t skimp on the sugar when making sorbet. Sugar not only adds sweetness to the dessert, but also helps to give it a smooth and creamy texture.

Be sure to follow your recipe carefully and measure out your sugar precisely.

3. Let the fruit macerate

Before you begin making your sorbet, it’s important to let the fruit macerate. This means that you’ll combine the fruit with sugar and let it sit at room temperature for a while.

During this time, the sugar will draw out the natural juices from the fruit, which will help to enhance its flavor. Be sure to let your fruit macerate for at least 30 minutes before making your sorbet.

4. Use a good quality food processor or blender

When making sorbet, it’s important to use a good quality food processor or blender. These tools will help to blend the fruit and sugar together into a smooth puree, which will give your sorbet a silky texture.

If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can still make sorbet by pressing the fruit through a fine mesh strainer, but this process can be more time-consuming.

5. Use a chilled ice cream maker

Once your sorbet base is ready, it’s time to freeze it. While you can certainly pour your sorbet mixture into a container and freeze it, using an ice cream maker will give you the best results.

Be sure to chill your ice cream maker for at least 24 hours before using it, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

6. Freeze your sorbet for at least 4 hours

After you’ve churned your sorbet mixture in the ice cream maker, be sure to let it freeze in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving. This will help to set the sorbet and give it a firm, scoopable texture.

If you’re serving your sorbet for a special occasion, be sure to freeze it for a full 24 hours to ensure that it’s fully set.

7. Serve your sorbet with fresh fruit

Sorbet is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when served with fresh fruit. Consider topping your sorbet with sliced strawberries, raspberries, or mango for an extra burst of flavor.

8. Experiment with different flavor combinations

Once you’ve mastered the art of making sorbet, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations. Try mixing together different fruits, or adding herbs like mint or basil to your sorbet for an extra layer of complexity.

The possibilities are endless!.

9. Store your sorbet properly

If you have leftovers of your sorbet, be sure to store it properly so that it maintains its texture and flavor. Ice crystals can form in sorbet when it’s improperly stored, which can make it gritty and unpleasant.

Store your sorbet in an airtight container in the freezer, and be sure to press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sorbet to prevent ice crystals from forming.