Name: Watermelon Sorbet Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 4 h 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (4 oz.) water; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 1/2 cups (24 oz.) freshly puréed watermelon juice (see note below); 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

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A refreshing watermelon sorbet recipe that is simple to make, uses minimal ingredients, and is perfect on an ice cream cone or in a bowl. This watermelon sorbet is naturally dairy-free.

No ice cream maker required, but you can use one if you like to make this watermelon sorbet recipe.

This watermelon sorbet is naturally nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

a scoop of watermelon sorbet in an ice cream cone, in a jar

Love frozen treats? You might like this Lime Sorbet Recipe. Cherry Vanilla Cream is also simple to make and refreshing.

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WHY YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS WATERMELON SORBET RECIPE

You're going to love this homemade watermelon sorbet recipe. It’s refreshing and it reminds me of a watermelon smoothie, but frozen.

This watermelon sorbet recipe uses a few simple ingredients and you can use watermelon juice or fresh pureed watermelon.

You don't need an ice cream maker to make this watermelon sorbet recipe, but you can if you like.

INGREDIENTS IN WATERMELON SORBET

Water – Even though watermelon is mostly water we will use water to help prepare the sugar.

Sugar – Adds sweetness. We haven’t tried this sorbet with a sugar substitute yet. Let us know in the comments if you use a sugar substitute.

Watermelon Juice – The star of this sorbet! You can use homemade watermelon juice or store bought watermelon juice.

Lime or Lime Juice - For additional flavor and to balance out the watermelon.

If you have any questions about the ingredients, please leave a comment below.

HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON JUICE

Remove the rind from a medium size watermelon and cut into rough pieces small enough to fit in a blender, juicer, or food processor. Blend or process until no chunks remain. If there are seeds, run the juice through a strainer to remove the seeds.

a collage of 4 photos showing the steps to make watermelon sorbet

HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON SORBET

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar, and boil until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
Remove from heat and allow the syrup to completely cool.
Once cool, stir in the watermelon juice and lemon or lime juice.
Pour the mixture into a 9x5 metal baking pan.
Freeze until firm (about 4 hours), stirring with a fork every thirty minutes for the first 3 hours. This is important, don’t skip this step.
Store covered in the freezer for up to 3 months.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes only. Please see the printable recipe card below.

HOW TO STORE WATERMELON SORBET

Store this watermelon sorbet in the freezer in an airtight container (we love these reusable ice cream tubs) with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper pressed on top for up to 3 months.

scoops of watermelon sorbet in a metal pan

TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE WATERMELON SORBET

Stirring - Stirring the watermelon sorbet every thirty minutes adds air to the sorbet, making it smoother and easier to scoop.

Icy Sorbet - If the watermelon sorbet is too icy, allow it to soften for 20 minutes, add it to a food processor, process and refreeze.

Don’t skimp on the sugar – Sugar not only adds sweetness to homemade sorbets, it also helps with the texture and helps prevent sorbets from being too icy.

Scooping it - If the sorbet is too firm to scoop, allow it to sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes, or until it softens enough to scoop.

HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON SORBET IN AN ICE CREAM MAKER

This watermelon sorbet recipe works well in ice cream makers. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sorbets and then cover tightly and freeze until you’re ready to serve.

a scoop of watermelon sorbet in an ice cream cone next to slices of watermelon

MORE HOMEMADE SORBET RECIPES:

Looking for more ice cream or sorbet recipes? Use the search box or leave us a comment below.

Here are some of our favorite things for making sorbets:

Glass Mixing Bowls - We love using these glass mixing bowls, but you can use what you like.
Loaf Pan - You can use any 9 x 13 loaf pan or a shallow pan, but we like this one.
Ice Cream Scoop - Make sure you have a good ice cream scoop. This is one of our favorites.
Ice Cream Bowls - You can use any bowl, but we think these are fun.
Ice Cream Containers - We love keeping a couple of ice cream containers on hand for when we make homemade ice cream.

Note: Each of these links will take you to the exact product on Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn a little from each qualifying purchase.

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Yield: 8

Watermelon Sorbet Recipe

A refreshing watermelon sorbet recipe that is simple to make, uses minimal ingredients, and is perfect on an ice cream cone or in a bowl. This watermelon sorbet is naturally dairy-free.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

½ cup (4 oz.) water
1 cup granulated sugar
2 ½ cups (24 oz.) freshly puréed watermelon juice (see note below)
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

Instructions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar, and boil until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
Remove from heat and allow the syrup to completely cool.
Once cool, stir in the watermelon juice and lemon or lime juice.
Pour the mixture into a 9x5 metal baking pan.
Freeze until firm (about 4 hours), stirring with a fork every thirty minutes for the first 3 hours. This is important, don’t skip this step.
Store covered in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

To make watermelon juice – remove the rind from a medium size watermelon and cut into rough pieces small enough to fit in a blender, juicer, or food processor. Blend or process until no chunks remain. If there are seeds, run the juice through a strainer to remove the seeds.
You can also use store bought watermelon juice.
Stirring the watermelon sorbet every thirty minutes adds air to the sorbet, making it smoother and easier to scoop.
If the sorbet is too firm to scoop, allow it to sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes, or until it softens enough to scoop.
Increase the lemon juice to 2 tablespoons for more tartness.
Ice cream machine – This watermelon sorbet recipe works well in ice cream makers. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sorbets and then cover tightly and freeze until you’re ready to serve.

Watermelon Sorbet Recipe