Refreshing Homemade Sorbets

Make the most of fresh pineapple and cool down on a hot summer night with this deliciously smooth and creamy pineapple dessert.

In this refreshing palate cleansing sorbet, sugar tames the tartness of grapefruit juice. And with just two ingredients, it could not be simpler to prepare. A serving delivers about two-thirds of your RDA for vitamin C, and only 145 calories.

Citrusy Key Lime Sorbet pairs beautifully with simple gingersnap cookies for a refreshing dessert that will transport you to the tropics.

The deep chocolate flavor and rich consistency belie this dessert's low-fat status. Freeze the sorbet up to two days in advance; let stand at room temperature 15 minutes to soften a bit before scooping.

This easy, cool summer treat ends any meal with a clean, refreshing, citrusy note. You only need four ingredients: limes (about 15), light corn syrup, sugar, and basil leaves (Sweet Italian or lemon basil work best). Tip: A traditional salt and ice electric freezer works best for this sorbet, as opposed to a tabletop freezer, which won’t freeze the mixture firmly enough.

This luscious sorbet has just a hint of black pepper to contrast and accentuate the sweetness of ripe summer strawberries. To crush the peppercorns, use a mortar and pestle, the side of a chef's knife, or the bottom of a heavy pan or skillet.

We used full-flavored English Breakfast tea (a blend that includes black tea leaves), but consider substituting your favorite tea to make this frozen treat.

Tart-sweet cherry and strong dark chocolate flavors meld beautifully in this surprisingly rich sorbet crowned with juicy fresh cherries. Use a high-quality jam for the sorbet, and be sure to start the process a day ahead for the best flavor and texture.

The caramel notes of brown sugar tame rhubarb's tang. If you've frozen the sorbet overnight or longer, let it stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to soften before scooping.

Named the Best Ice Cream/Sorbet in Cooking Light history, this crisp, cool dessert has been a standby for our staffers since its first taste test. The grated orange rind and mint sprigs are both optional, but add a finishing touch that's worth an extra few seconds.

Limoncello is an Italian liqueur that can be mixed in a refreshing spritzer, but it truly stands out in this sorbet when paired with aromatic mint and fresh blackberries.

Though it commonly adds zing to biscuits, pancakes, and waffles, buttermilk rarely gets to express its natural tanginess by itself. However, this frozen treat lets it play center stage, adding slightly sweetened strawberries for color and variety.

Created by reader Lynnsey Elshere as a twist on her favorite cocktail, French Martini Sorbet looks elegant served in a martini glass.

The unexpected zip of ginger and pepper creates a carnival of contrasts: smooth but sharp, sweet but peppery.