What’s the Difference Between Sherbet and Sorbet? (2024)

Christine Gallary

Christine GallaryFood Editor-at-Large

Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram.

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updated May 2, 2019

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What’s the Difference Between Sherbet and Sorbet? (1)

Did you ever order rainbow sherbet as a kid? I know I did, but mainly because someone had the ingenious idea to name a food rainbow. I remember it tasted fruity and creamy, but not as rich as ice cream. Then I encountered sorbets and got confused — were they really just the same kind of fruity frozen dessert?

The names sorbet and sherbet have been used interchangeably to some extent over the years, but there are distinguishing differences between the two, so let’s demystify them now.

The Difference Between Sorbet and Sherbet

The difference between these two types of frozen desserts is mainly how much dairy they contain. Sorbet contains no dairy whatsoever, while sherbet contains a little cream or milk to give it a richer, creamier texture.

Sorbet: Just Fruit and Sugar

Sorbet has just two main ingredients: fruit and sugar. There may also be some water, flavorings, or acid added to it, but it’s essentially blended fruit that’s churned and then frozen. No dairy is added to sorbet, which is how it is different from ice cream.

Sorbet is oftentimes used as a palate cleanser between courses because it’s refreshing, cold, and light. It contains little to no fat and is also one of the original gluten- and dairy-free desserts!

Sorbet Recipes

Are Granita and Sorbet the Same Thing?

So then what’s granita? Granita starts with the same base as sorbet, but instead of churning it in an ice cream maker, the base is just poured into a pan and placed in the freezer. The surface is scraped multiple times as it freezes, creating icy flakes that are coarse and more crystalline in texture than sorbet.

Sherbet: Fruit and Cream

Sherbet is sorbet’s creamier cousin. A little cream, milk, egg whites, gelatin, or even buttermilk is added to a sorbet mixture, and the result is a frozen dessert that’s richer, and creamier in texture than sorbet but still lighter than ice cream, as by law, it must contain less than 2% fat.

It’s Sherbet, Not Sherbert

It’s one of the most commonly mispronounced words out there, passed down over the years and causing confusion. Sherbet has only one “r” in it, so it’s only pronounced with one “r.”Time to break old habits and say it correctly!

Sherbet Recipes

A Serving Tip for Sherbet and Sorbet

Since both sorbets and sherbets don’t have the high fat content of ice cream, take them out of the freezer at least 5 minutes before you want to serve them so they soften up a bit and are easier to scoop.

What’s the Difference Between Sherbet and Sorbet? (2024)

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Sherbet and Sorbet? ›

The major difference between the two is that sherbet is made with dairy and sorbet isn't. Sherbet has more of a creamy texture that you'd expect from ice cream thanks to ingredients like milk, heavy cream, or buttermilk in the mix. Sorbet, on the other hand, is simply sugar and fruit.

Which is healthier, sorbet or sherbet? ›

"If you follow a vegan diet or have a food allergy, sorbet will be a better choice," she adds. Plus, in terms of nutrition, sorbet will also be the healthiest option becasue it doesn't contain the milk, cream, or butterfat, which increases saturated fat content.

What's the difference between gelato and sorbet? ›

sorbet. By now, you know that gelato traditionally uses milk and cream as its main ingredients, and that sorbet primarily contains fruit juice or fruit purée and does not use dairy products or eggs. Sorbet is less creamy.

Is sorbet healthier then ice cream? ›

Not only is sorbet a healthier alternative to ice cream, but it is also a dessert that can be enjoyed guilt-free. With no eggs or cream present in the recipe, sorbet contains fewer calories and less fat compared to traditional ice cream.

Why is sorbet called sorbet? ›

The word sorbet entered English from French, derived from Italian sorbetto, which in turn came from the Ottoman Turkish or Iranian sharbat, originally referring to a type of beverage. The word sharbat is derived from the Arabic verb shariba, which means "to drink".

Is sorbet a drink or dessert? ›

Sorbet is a non-dairy frozen dessert made from puréed fruit or fruit juice mixed with water and sugar.

What is gelato made of? ›

Like ice cream, gelato uses milk, cream, and sugar, but it differs in proportions. Gelato uses less cream and more milk than ice cream and typically contains no egg yolks or eggs at all. Gelato is served slightly warmer than American ice cream and is also churned at a slower rate, introducing less air into the product.

Can diabetics eat sherbet? ›

Many people look at sherbet and see a good alternative to ice cream. The reality? Sherbet typically has almost double the carbohydrates of ice cream, states Cotey. If you're looking for a frozen treat from time to time, search out a product lower in sugar, carbs and saturated fats.

Is sorbet OK to eat on a diet? ›

On average, one cup of fruit sorbet provides 200–250 calories, which is a good calorie amount for a snack. You can consume that amount of calories without ruining your diet because it is very appropriate to get 200 calories for your healthy snack. Sorbet is low in calories because most of it is water.

What are the benefits of eating sorbet? ›

Sorbet has less calories than ice cream and other frozen desserts, and no fat. It's fruit content also makes it rich in vitamin C. Any downsides? That fruit content also means it contains a fair bit of sugar, and if we're comparing it with ice cream and gelato, it has less calcium, vitamin A and iron.

Why is sorbet so good? ›

This dairy-free frozen delight contains just fruit and sugar. It's often churned in an ice cream maker, which makes it scoopable but not creamy. Restaurants use sorbet as a palate cleanser during multi-course meals because its intense fruit flavor is extra-refreshing.

Why is sorbet so expensive? ›

Sorbet is typically considered to be a higher quality, therefore more expensive, frozen dessert. Many brands tout their use of real fruit and natural flavors without added dyes.

Is dirty ice cream sorbet? ›

Sorbetes acquired the name "dirty ice cream" as a joke, due to the fact that it is sold on the streets.

What do Americans call sorbet? ›

sorbet / sherbet. A refreshing dessert made of frozen sweetened water with (usually fruit) flavouring. People from the UK prefer to call it 'sorbet', Americans prefer 'sherbet'. courgette / zucchini. Both of these are borrowed words but they mean the same thing.

Do you keep sorbet in the fridge or freezer? ›

I freeze a container to the put the sorbet in so it won't melt when you take it out of the machine. Freeze it immediately. If the sorbet hardens a bit after being frozen for a couple of days, you can temper it by letting it “warm up” in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.

What do you eat sorbet with? ›

Since sorbets are usually mostly juice or puree, they are also a terrific place to play with interesting vegetable or herb flavorings, think watermelon basil, or beet pomegranate, or green apple celery, or peach thyme, or chef Sam Fore's Tropical Jackfruit–Ginger Ale Sorbet with Charred Pineapple.

Is Acai a sorbet? ›

The main difference between Acai and Acai Sorbet lies in their form and preparation. Acai refers to the small purple berries harvested from the Acai palm tree, while Acai Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from pureed Acai berries blended with other natural ingredients.

Is Talenti real gelato? ›

Talenti gelato is particularly special because we make it from scratch with the finest ingredients from around the world, and use an old world process that involves slow cooking our ingredients and making our gelato in smaller batches than most other ice cream in the US is made.

What is Italian ice called in Italy? ›

Gelato (Italian: [dʒeˈlaːto]; lit.

Which is healthier, gelato or ice cream? ›

The main difference between ice cream and gelato is their fat content. With only 4-9% fat to the usual 10-25% of ice cream, gelato usually is lighter and healthier. Per portion, however, the answer is clear, gelato is typically healthier than ice cream.

Is sorbet better than ice cream for cholesterol? ›

Low cholesterol and saturated fat alternatives

The following are some suitable options: Sorbet: This is a dairy-free option consisting primarily of fruit puree, water, and sugar. It does not contain the fats present in regular ice cream but can contain high levels of sugar.

Is sorbet full of sugar? ›

Sorbet is made up of fruit juices, syrup and water.

One cup of an all-fruit sorbet has 184 calories, 34 grams of sugar, 46.2 grams of carbohydrates and no fat. While no fat is good, sorbet is high in sugar and doesn't have any calcium, like milk-based frozen treats do.

What ice cream has no sugar? ›

Table. Best sugar-free ice cream brands
BrandCalories per half cup or one serving or one scoop
1. Halo Top Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert70 to 110
2. So Delicious Light Ice Cream (Formerly Mousse Frozen Dessert)75 to 83
3. Frozen Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert80 to 110
4. Arctic Zero Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert40 to 80
5 more rows
Jun 23, 2022

Which is better for diabetics ice cream or sorbet? ›

However, the sugar content in sorbet can vary widely, and some store-bought sorbets may contain just as much, if not more, sugar than ice cream. Patients with diabetes should opt for sorbets with no added sugar and consider the inclusion of sweeteners and their effects on blood sugar.

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