Refreshing Cherry Sorbet Recipe – A Summer Power Treat Bursting with Flavour

Yield: 8

Cool down with this vibrant plant-based cherry sorbet recipe. Made with just three ingredients, it’s the ultimate refreshing dessert for summer days or a fruity complement to rich chocolate puddings.

Ingredients

200g granulated sugar
500g cherries, plus more to serve (optional)
1 lemon, juiced

Instructions

Put the sugar and 270ml of water in a saucepan over a low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat and simmer for 5 mins, or until the liquid has become a syrup. Set aside to cool.
Put the cherries and lemon juice in a food processor and blitz until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Combine with the sugar syrup.
If you have an ice cream machine, pour the mixture into it.
If not, pour it into a freezer-proof container and freeze for 1 hr 30 mins, then whisk with a balloon whisk or a fork to break up any ice crystals that have formed and return to the freezer. Keep mixing the sorbet once an hour for 4 hrs to break up the ice crystals. Stop mixing when firm but scoopable. It will keep in the freezer for up to a month.
Serve with extra cherries, if you like.

Cherry Sorbet Recipe – A Summer Power Treat Bursting with Flavour

Few desserts capture the essence of summer quite like a cherry sorbet. It’s bright, tangy, and full of natural sweetness—each spoonful a burst of fruity freshness. Whether enjoyed on its own or served alongside a dark chocolate pudding, this frozen treat celebrates the pure, unadulterated joy of fruit. And the best part? You only need three ingredients: cherries, sugar, and lemon juice.

Table of Contents

The Origins of Sorbet

The story of sorbet goes way back—ancient Persia and China are often credited as its birthplace, where people flavoured crushed ice with fruits and honey. Later, Arab traders brought these early frozen delights to the Mediterranean. The word sorbet itself comes from the Turkish şerbet and Arabic sharbat, meaning a sweet drink made with fruit syrup.

In Renaissance Italy, chefs refined the concept into sorbetto, a frozen dessert enjoyed by nobles. It was later adopted by the French, who turned it into the elegant “sorbet” we know today. Before refrigeration, ice was precious, so enjoying a frozen dessert was a sign of luxury and celebration.

Today, sorbet remains a symbol of refinement and simplicity—a dessert that shows how just a few good ingredients can create something sublime.

Cherries: Nature’s Sweet Gems

Cherries are more than just pretty to look at—they’re one of nature’s most nutritious fruits. These little red jewels are rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which give cherries their deep colour and help combat inflammation. They’re also packed with vitamin C, potassium, and fibre, supporting heart health and muscle recovery (ideal after a long run or triathlon training session).

In fact, several studies have shown that cherry juice can reduce muscle soreness and improve sleep quality, thanks to its natural melatonin content. So next time you enjoy a scoop of cherry sorbet, think of it as more than a treat—it’s a recovery tool in disguise!

The Magic of Simplicity

What makes this cherry sorbet recipe so special is its simplicity. There’s no need for dairy, eggs, or additives—just ripe cherries blended with sugar and lemon juice. The lemon brightens the flavour and balances the sweetness, while the sugar prevents the sorbet from freezing too hard, giving it that perfect, scoopable texture.

If you have an ice cream maker, great! But if not, you can freeze the mixture and blend it again for a smooth, refreshing consistency.

Serving Ideas and Pairings

This cherry sorbet recipe pairs beautifully with chocolate desserts (the contrast of cold fruit and warm cocoa is unbeatable). Try it with a vegan chocolate pudding, brownie, or even your chocolate mug cake from the blog for an indulgent yet balanced dessert.

For a lighter finish, serve a scoop with fresh berries, mint leaves, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction—a surprising combination that enhances the cherries’ natural sweetness.

Fun Facts About Sorbet

Napoleon Bonaparte was said to enjoy sorbet between courses to cleanse the palate.
Before freezers existed, Italian and French chefs used snow from the Alps to chill their mixtures.
In the 19th century, Parisian cafés made sorbet a social ritual—much like coffee is today.

Nutritional Snapshot

Per serving, this cherry sorbet recipe is low in fat and rich in antioxidants, making it a refreshing alternative to cream-based ice creams. The natural sugars provide quick energy, while the cherries’ nutrients support recovery and hydration—especially welcome after a hot summer workout.

Learn more about cherries and their health benefits at:

British Nutrition Foundation – Cherries
Harvard Health – The power of tart cherries

A Sweet Summer Ritual

Making a cherry sorbet is about embracing the joy of simplicity—pure fruit, a hint of lemon, and a touch of sweetness. It’s summer in a scoop, a moment of coolness on a hot afternoon, and a reminder that sometimes, less truly is more.

So grab a bowl, pour yourself a scoop, and celebrate cherries—the jewels of summer.

Refreshing Cherry Sorbet Recipe – A Summer Power Treat Bursting with Flavour