Watermelon Mint Sorbet
Recipe: Watermelon Mint Sorbet
Watermelon Mint Sorbet is a refreshing and cooling summer treat to enjoy. Making it at home is so easy and you need just a few ingredients.
Where Are The Rains?
The main conversation these days where ever you go is the heat. People are getting fed up of the really hot weather and are praying for rain. Energy levels ebb, no breeze, every one sweating profusely. People constantly reaching out for ice cold water, drinks and trying to spend more time in the shade whenever possible.
Men pulling heavy loads on a cart, women walking with babies tied on their backs and loaded baskets on their heads. Life has to carry on whether its hot or cold. I complain about the weather and immediately think of all those who have no choice but to work in the scorching heat. Long queues for the ferry and my heart goes out to all those sitting in the overheated matatus patiently. So I guess I shouldn’t complain too much as I am sitting comfortably in a house that has air conditioning and fans.
What is a Sorbet?
Sorbet is made from fresh juice and sugar syrup but may have liqueur or other flavourings. It is made in an ice cream maker or whipped in the semi frozen state to give it a much smoother texture.Usually it is whisked with an electric beater or in a food processor/blender.
Are Granita and Sorbet The Same?
While both are made from fresh fruit juice and simple sugar syrup, the similarity ends here. When granita is in a semi frozen state it is scraped to give a granular kind of texture. No ice cream churner is required to make granita. Sorbet is processed to a much smoother texture.
Why Does Sorbet Develop Crystals?
After blending, whisking, the sorbet should set without any crystals. If there are crystals then the sorbet has been in the freezer for too long. Also if you’ve water to liquidize the juice or the sugar syrup is left too watery.
How To Remove The Crystals?
Simply allow the sorbet to thaw a bit, break up the crystals with an electric beater on in a blender. Freeze it again.
How Long Can You Store Sorbet In The Freezer?
I recommend that you use it up within 2 weeks maximum. As, it is made from fresh ingredients, best to enjoy while it is still fresh.
Some Of The Fruit Juices You Can Use To Make Sorbet
I prefer fresh home made juice which is has not been watered down.
- Melon juices
- Citrus Juices
- Pineapple Juice
- Cucumber Juice
- Mango Juice
- Passion Fruit Juice
- Berry Juices
- Peach/Nectarine Juice
Sorbets You May Like:
Mango, Banana And Mint Sorbet – this sorbet is made without any simple sugar syrup. I’ve added only 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup. The rest of the sweetness comes from the mango and over ripe banana.
Honeydew Melon Sorbet – this sorbet is sweetened with a bit of honey. The orange juice I added was sweet enough so I didn’t need any simple sugar syrup.
Mango Sorbet with a bit of fresh ginger tastes awesome. I have used simple sugar syrup for this recipe.
Some More Cooling Summer Treats
Ingredients Required For Watermelon Mint Sorbet
Watermelon -cut into cubes without the rind.
to choose the right kind of watermelon,
- Look for that yellow patch. The larger the patch, the more time the watermelon has had time to ripen on the vine. That is the part of the watermelon that rests on the ground while growing.
- It also should be heavy. This means that it is full of juice and not dry.
- Tap the melon. If it sounds hollow then it is ripe.
- Check the tail or the stem. If it is dry and brown then the watermelon is ripe.
- If you buy precut ones then look for deep red ones.
Fresh Mint Leaves – need a handful. Wash and pat them dry on a kitchen towel.
Salt – I like to add a bit of salt to my desserts to balance the flavours.
Lemon Juice
Sugar – white sugar. Add according to how sweet the watermelon is. You may need anywhere from ¾ cup to 1 cup.
Water – to melt the sugar and to make the simple sugar syrup.
WATERMELON MINT SORBET
Ingredients
FOR THE WATERMELON MINT SORBET:
- 8 cups watermelon chopped
- ½ cup mint leaves fresh
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
FOR THE SIMPLE SUGAR SYRUP:
- ¾ -1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
PREPARATION OF THE SIMPLE SUGAR SYRUP:
- Put sugar and water in a pan.
- Put the pan over medium heat. Stir the mixture till the sugar melts.
- Let the mixture simmer for 4- 5 minutes or till it becomes a bit thick about one thread consistency.
- Let the syrup cool down completely.
PREPARATION OF WATERMELON JUICE:
- Cut the watermelon into cubes. Measure out 8 cups.
- Put the cubes in the blender and process till you get a smooth liquid. Don't add any water.
- Strain the juice to remove seeds. You need 4 cups of juice.
- Wash the mint leaves thoroughly.
- Add it to the blender jug.
- Add a bit of the watermelon juice and process.
- Add the juice to the rest of the juice and mix well.
PREPARATION OF WATERMELON MINT SORBET:
- Add salt and lemon juice to the watermelon juice. Mix well.
- Add the cold syrup and mix.
- Put the mixture in the fridge to chill if you are going to use your ice cream maker.
- Let the chilled juice churn in the ice cream maker for 15 minutes or follow the instructions given in the booklet.
- Take out the sorbet into a freezer proof container and put it in the freezer for 10 - 15 minutes before serving.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker, put the juice in a freezer proof container with a lid.
- When the mixture is semi frozen, break up the crystals either by whisking the mixture with a hand blender or in a blender or using a fork.
- You can repeat the process twice to make it as crystal free as possible.
- The sorbet will be hard. Leave the container outside at room temperature for 5 minutes (actually depends on how hot the kitchen is) before scooping it into the serving bowl
Notes
- Remove as many seeds as you can before processing the watermelon.
- If the watermelon is very sweet, use only ¾ cup of sugar.
- You can use fresh basil instead of mint if you like.
- Can omit mint if you don't like it.
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A Little Request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
5 Comments
Heidi Roberts
April 2, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Sounds absolutely refreshing – I added watermelon to a juice recently and it was fantastic.
Anukampa
April 3, 2015 at 1:09 am
looks so refreshing. Now that summers are here in India too. would be a delight to make for kids.
Shobha
April 3, 2015 at 9:51 am
Perfect one for summer.. It is a gr8 thirst quencher.
Linsy Patel
April 3, 2015 at 11:00 am
delicious treat for summer.
Amrita Roy
April 3, 2015 at 6:57 pm
nice sorbet with a twist of mint