Lemon-mint Sorbet
Summer-time is the perfect season for a cold, refreshing scoop of lemon-mint sorbet. Make this dessert recipe on those hot days when it’s difficult to even lift a finger. The combination of mint and lemon balm, or lemon basil perfectly complements a salty, summer barbeque meal.
Lemon-mint sorbet served up at a Sommer family event. Photo by Arlie Sommer
Sorbet was originally used as a palate cleanser between courses of large meals, and its first use as a dessert came about in French cafes in the seventeenth century. It’s lovely for a large wedding meal and even a summer baby shower, but you don’t have to wait for a special occasion, enjoy this easy treat any time.
Sorbet is a frozen dessert made of a fruit puree or juice and sweetener such as sugar, simple syrup,or liqueur. Sorbet contains no dairy which makes it a light and fresh dessert for our dairy free, gluten free, and vegan loved ones. The recipe below yields about a quart.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups refined sugar
2 cups water
10 sprigs or tips of mint (spearmint) or 2 tbsp of dried crushed mint
12 leaves of lemon balm or lemon basil or 3 tbsp of dried crushed lemon balm or lemon basil
3/4 cup muscat wine
3 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp of lemon zest
DIRECTIONS
Step 1
Bring the sugar, water, mint, and lemon balm or basil to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Allow mint and lemon balm or basil to infuse the mixture for about 15 minutes. Strain into a heat-proof container. Stir in the muscat wine. Refrigerate until cold, about four hours.
Step 2
Stir in the lemon juice and zest; pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions until it reaches “soft-serve” consistency.
Step 3
Transfer sorbet to a two-quart plastic or glass container such as a loaf cake pan, at least three inches deep for easier scooping. Cover the surface with plastic or the lid. For best results, sorbet should ripen in the freezer at least two hours or overnight.
Note: Sorbet melts quickly once removed from the freezer. Scoop into dishes and serve immediately.