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    Home Β» Recipe Β» Dessert Β» Watermelon Sorbet

    Watermelon Sorbet

    Published Aug 21, 2020 Β· Updated May 8, 2025 by Ginnie Β· 4 Comments

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    Cool off with a bowl of delicious, refreshing Watermelon Sorbet! You only need three ingredients to make this easy recipe, and it's the perfect summer treat!

    A dish of Watermelon Sorbet served with a melon wedge.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Craving a sweet treat? Got a big watermelon that you need to use up? Then, I've got the perfect dessert for you!

    Watermelon Sorbet is one of my favorite summer desserts, and I know that you're going to love it, too. It's full of fresh, juicy watermelon flavor, easy to make, and perfect for a hot day.

    Since it's frozen, this is also an excellent recipe for when you need to use up a watermelon, but you don't necessarily want to eat it all right way.

    Ready to make a batch for yourself? Then, keep reading for the easy, step-by-step recipe!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Watermelon Sorbet
    • Don't Have an Ice Cream Maker?
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Related Recipes
    • Watermelon Sorbet
    Closeup of the finished sorbet.

    Ingredients

    This homemade Watermelon Sorbet uses really basic ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

    • Fresh Watermelon
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Fresh Lime Juice

    It's hard to believe that you only need three ingredients for this yummy fruit sorbet. But it really is that simple. Best of all, it's naturally vegan, dairy free, and gluten free!

    You'll Also Need

    This recipe also requires a blender to puree the fruit, and a fine mesh strainer to strain out the pulp. You'll also need an ice cream machine, although I'm sharing some ideas below for you to try if you don't have one.

    Watermelon sorbet ingredients on a marble counter.

    How to Make Watermelon Sorbet

    This wonderfully refreshing treat couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:

    1. Cut the watermelon. The first thing you need to do is chop the watermelon. I cut mine into 1-inch cubes, though you don't need to be too precise. You'll need six cups for this recipe.
    2. Juice the limes. You'll also want to juice enough limes to make ΒΌ cup lime juice. Make sure to use fresh juice, because it really brings out the flavor of the melon.
    3. Blend everything together. Add the watermelon, lime juice, and sugar to your blender. Process the mixture until it's smooth, then strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer, stopping occasionally to stir the liquid in the strainer and press on the pulp. Discard the pulp.
    4. Chill the watermelon juice. Refrigerate the juice for at least one hour or until it's completely chilled.
    5. Use your ice cream maker to prepare the sorbet. Once the juice is cold, transfer it to your ice cream maker. You’ll want to process it according to your own machine’s instructions (each one is a little different). You'll know the sorbet is done when it has the texture of a thick slushie. Mine only took about 10 minutes.
    6. Freeze the sorbet. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container, then freeze until solid, about two to four hours. Then, it's time to eat ... the best part!

    Tip: most ice cream makers have an insert that requires freezing, which takes about 18 to 24 hours. Don't skip this step, or your sorbet will not freeze. If you make a lot of ice cream and frozen treats, just store the insert in your freezer. That way, it's ready to go whenever a craving strikes!

    PRO TIP: Need help slicing open that watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, balls and more with my easy step-by-step tips!
    Photo collage showing recipe ingredients in a blender before and after blending.
    Photo collage showing the watermelon mixture in an ice cream machine before and after churning.

    Don't Have an Ice Cream Maker?

    I prefer to use an ice cream maker to make this sorbet, because it creates the smoothest texture. Here are a couple other options if you don't have one though:

    • Ice Method - Blend the watermelon, sugar, and lime juice, then strain it, as directed in the recipe. Transfer the liquid to a 13 x 9-inch baking pan, then freeze for an hour. Drag a fork through the juice to break up the ice crystals. Repeat this process, scraping the mixture with a fork every hour or so, until it's frozen solid. This method will give the sorbet more of an Italian Ice texture, although the more frequently you break apart the ice crystals, the smoother it will be.
    • Food Processor Method - Another variation (that I haven't tried myself) involves using a food processor (or a heavy duty blender) to puree frozen watermelon. To do this, you'd cut the watermelon into chunks, then freeze them (in a single layer) until solid. Once the chunks have frozen, process them in your food processor until smooth, adding lime juice and honey, maple syrup, or sugar syrup to taste. You'll probably need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your food processor.
    A glass dish with scoops of sorbet on a floral napkin.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Still have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

    What is sorbet?

    Sorbet is a frozen fruit dessert that's made from pureed fruit and sugar (or another sweetener). It may also contain other ingredients, such as fresh juice (like the lime juice used here) or even alcohol, but it doesn't contain dairy.

    What's the difference between sorbet and sherbet?

    The words sorbet and sherbet are sometimes used interchangeably, but sherbet typically includes milk or cream which gives it a creamier texture. Granita / Italian Ice, on the other hand, uses ingredients similar to sorbet, but it has an icier texture (hence the name). 

    What's the difference between sorbet and ice cream (or gelato)?

    Ice cream and gelato have a custard base made with milk or cream, while sorbet has a fruit base that's dairy free.

    Is sorbet healthier than ice cream?

    Unlike ice cream, sorbet has no fat. It also has fewer calories than ice cream, and it's full of fruit. It still contains a lot of sugar though, so like most treats, you should probably eat it in moderation.

    A dish of the finished recipe garnished with a watermelon wedge.

    Related Recipes

    Looking for more frozen treats? You'll love these recipes, too:

    • This yummy Mango Sorbet is just as delicious and easy to make!
    • Make these refreshing Watermelon Popsicles on a hot summer day.
    • Learn how to make Frozen Yogurt! Then try these Strawberry Frozen Yogurt, Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt, and Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt recipes next.
    • This delicious Strawberry Ice Cream Cake is the perfect special occasion dessert!
    • Serve this fun S'Mores Freakshake the next time you're in the mood for an over-the-top treat.

    P.S. Check out all of my watermelon recipes for more melon ideas! You'll find tons of refreshing ideas, from Watermelon Juice to Watermelon Quinoa Salad and so much more.

    Closeup of a dish of the sorbet with watermelon wedges in the background.
    A dish of Watermelon Sorbet and a floral napkin on a marble counter.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Watermelon Sorbet

    Treat yourself to a big bowl of this delicious Watermelon Sorbet ... it's so easy to make with only three ingredients!
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Chilling / Freezing Time3 hours hrs
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 132kcal
    Author: Ginnie

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups cubed watermelon
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ΒΌ cup fresh lime juice

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • Fine Mesh Strainer
    • Ice Cream Maker

    Instructions

    • Combine watermelon, sugar, and lime juice in blender. Puree until smooth.
    • Place strainer over a bowl, then strain watermelon mixture. Discard pulp, then refrigerate juice until cold (at least one hour).
    • Once juice has chilled, add it to your ice cream maker and process according to the machine's instructions. The finished sorbet should have the texture of a thick slushie.
    • Transfer sorbet to an airtight container and freeze until solid (about 2 to 4 hours).
    • Serve scooped into a bowl. Enjoy!

    Notes

    If your sorbet is too hard to scoop after freezing, let sit on your counter for 5 to 10 minutes after removing it from the freezer.
    Try serving a scoop of sorbet in a glass of prosecco or champagne for a fun, summery cocktail.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 132kcal
    Did you make this recipe?I love seeing what you're cooking! Leave a comment below, or tag @HelloLittleHome or #hellolittlehome on Instagram!
    Scoops of Watermelon Sorbet in a glass dish.
    Watermelon SorbetWatermelon Sorbet
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    About Ginnie

    Ginnie is the writer, photographer, and chief content creator behind Hello Little Home. She loves trying new things (whether that’s creating delicious vegetarian recipes, exploring a new city, trying a fun DIY project, or sharing a pretty makeup look), and she hopes to inspire you to do the same! Read more about Ginnie here.

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)
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    4 Comments
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    Suz
    2 years ago

    How much does this make? I know the recipe states β€œ8 servings,” but not knowing the serving size, I can’t know what the total quantity is. Thanks!!!

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    2 years ago
    Reply to  Suz

    Hi, Suz! The serving size should be about 3/4 cup, but that can vary depending on how juicy your watermelon is, how tightly you packed the 6 cups of watermelon cubes when measuring, etc. Hope that helps! πŸ™‚

    0
    Reply
    joanne
    4 years ago

    That looks delicious! We have never tried making sorbet. Pinned.

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    4 years ago
    Reply to  joanne

    Thanks, Joanne! It's sooo good and easy to make, too!

    0
    Reply

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    Hi, I'm Ginnie! Welcome to Hello Little Home, which is all about inspiring everyday creativity! I'm excited to share my favorite things with you ... vegetarian recipes, travel inspiration, DIY projects, decor ideas, beauty and fashion tips, and more! Read more about me here!

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