Pomegranate Sorbet: A Bright, Tangy Summer Treat (Print Version)

Brighten your day with tangy pomegranate sorbet. This simple, refreshing treat is easy to make and tastes like pure sunshine. A homemade delight.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 4 cups (960ml) 100% pure pomegranate juice, unsweetened
02 - 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup (240ml) water
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

→ Garnish & Finishing Touches

05 - 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate arils
06 - Fresh mint sprigs

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that sugar dissolved. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until all the sugar crystals have completely disappeared. This usually takes me about 3-5 minutes. Don't let it boil vigorously for too long, we just want a clear syrup. This step is crucial for preventing a grainy pomegranate sorbet later, I learned that the hard way when my first batch felt a bit crunchy, oops!
02 - Once your simple syrup is clear, remove the saucepan from the heat. Let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to cool down a bit, then transfer it to a heat-safe bowl or pitcher. You want this syrup to be completely, utterly cold before mixing with the juice. I usually pop it in the fridge for at least an hour, or even longer. Rushing this step means your pomegranate sorbet won't churn properly, and you'll get a runny, icy mess instead of that lovely scoopable texture, trust me, I've been there.
03 - Now for the main event! In a large bowl, whisk together your chilled simple syrup, the fresh pomegranate juice, and the lemon juice. Give it a good stir to ensure everything is well combined. This is where the magic starts to happen, you can already smell that tangy, sweet aroma! I like to taste it here, too, just to make sure the balance of sweet and tart is exactly how I like my pomegranate sorbet; sometimes I add a tiny bit more lemon if the pomegranates are extra sweet.
04 - This is another non-negotiable step, friends. Cover your pomegranate sorbet mixture and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. It absolutely needs to be ice-cold, like, seriously cold. If the mixture isn't cold enough, your ice cream maker won't be able to churn it into the right consistency, and you'll end up with a less-than-stellar frozen drink rather than a proper pomegranate sorbet. Patience is a virtue here, honestly!
05 - Once your mixture is thoroughly chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker's frozen bowl, following the manufacturer's instructions. Churn for about 20-30 minutes, or until the pomegranate sorbet reaches the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. It'll be thick and slushy, swirling beautifully. Don't overfill your machine, I made that mistake once and it overflowed a bit – minor cleanup, but still! This is when your kitchen will start smelling amazing, a fresh, fruity scent.
06 - Transfer the freshly churned pomegranate sorbet to an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sorbet to prevent ice crystals from forming (a little trick I learned!). Freeze for another 2-4 hours, or until it's firm enough to scoop. When you finally pull it out, it should be a vibrant, scoopable dream, ready to be enjoyed! That first scoop always feels like such a victory, honestly.

# Notes:

01 - Always chill your sorbet base *completely* before churning; it makes all the difference in texture, trust me.
02 - Don't overfill your ice cream maker bowl – I've had messy overflows, and it's not fun.
03 - For the smoothest pomegranate sorbet, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface when freezing.
04 - A splash of vodka can make your pomegranate sorbet even smoother!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Medium saucepan
02 - whisk
03 - large bowl
04 - ice cream maker
05 - airtight freezer container

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 180
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 0g

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