There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh blackberries in the summertime.

A few weeks ago, I made a batch of Blackberry Jam, and after mashing the berries, I had quite a bit of leftover juice. I noticed it in the refrigerator a few days later and thought I might be able to turn it into a sorbet. I had just made a lemon sorbet recipe and thought I could exchange the blackberry juice for the lemon juice. The lemon sorbet recipe called for 3/4 cup of lemon juice, which I replaced with one cup of blackberry juice, and I added the zest and juice of a lime; it turned out perfect.
Whether picked right off the vine or grabbed from the freezer section, blackberries bring a bright, tart sweetness that’s perfect for a hot day. Today I’m sharing a homemade Blackberry Sorbet recipe that’s becoming a family favorite treat.
Why Make Sorbet at Home?
Store-bought frozen desserts often come packed with preservatives, artificial flavors, and ingredients we can’t pronounce. But when you make sorbet at home, you’re in control of every ingredient.
This recipe is:
- ✅ Naturally gluten-free
- ✅ Dairy-free and vegan-friendly
- ✅ Made with real fruit
- ✅ Free of artificial colors and flavors
What You’ll Need:
Jump to RecipeA Perfect Blackberry Sorbet
Instructions
- Homemade Blackberry SorbetFresh, fruity, and just the right amount of tart — this sorbet is a refreshing summer treat made with real fruit juice.1 cup water1 cup sugar1 pint fresh blackberries or 1 small bag frozen blackberries (about 12 oz)Zest and juice of 1 lemonZest and juice of 1 limeMake the Simple Syrup:In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let it cool, then refrigerate until chilled.Prepare the Blackberries:If you're using frozen blackberries (like I did), warm them gently on the stove until thawed. Use a potato masher to mash the berries and strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to get 1 cup of blackberry juice.👩🦳 Tip from Grandma: Don’t throw away that leftover pulp! I freeze it to use later in smoothies.Mix It All Together:In a bowl or large measuring cup, combine the chilled sugar syrup, blackberry juice, lemon juice and zest, and lime juice and zest. Stir well.Churn the Sorbet: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow your machine’s instructions. It usually takes about 45 – 55 minutes to reach a soft-serve consistency.Freeze Until Firm: Freeze for a few hours until firm.Scoop into a bowl or fancy glass, garnish with fresh berries or mint if you like, and enjoy a naturally sweet and tangy dessert that your whole family will love. Simple ingredients, wholesome flavors — just the way Grandma likes it.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 pint fresh blackberries or 1 small (12 oz) bag of frozen blackberries to make one cup of juice
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
How to Make Blackberry Sorbet
- Make the Simple Syrup:
Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Set it aside to cool, then refrigerate it. - Extract Blackberry Juice:
If using frozen berries (which I often do), warm them gently on the stove until fully thawed. Use a potato masher to break them down, then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to obtain 1 cup of juice.
Grandma Tip: Don’t toss that leftover pulp! I freeze mine to use in smoothies later. - Mix It All Together:
In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the chilled syrup, blackberry juice, lemon juice and zest, and lime juice and zest. Stir until everything is well mixed. - Churn in Your Ice Cream Maker:
Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow your manufacturer’s directions. Mine takes about 55 minutes. - Freeze to Firm Up:
Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for a few hours until fully set.
Grandma’s Serving Ideas
- Scoop it into a glass dish and top with a few whole blackberries and a sprig of mint.
- Serve it alongside a slice of pound cake for a light dessert.
- Or keep it simple and enjoy it straight from the container (I won’t tell!).
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