How To: 6 Wonderfully Weird Sorbet Flavors You Have to Try

Ah, the sensation of that first bite of sorbet in the heat of summertime: icy, refreshing, decadent in flavor and texture. We love sorbet almost as much as we love ice cream, and making it at home is actually pretty simple. Most recipes call for just water, sugar, and a base fruit of some sort (like strawberries or watermelon).

So to spice up your sorbet-making in these warm months and give your guests something to talk about, we've rounded up six of our favorite creative sorbets.

1. Strawberry Thai Basil: Sweet Meets Savory

Anya Kassof of Golubka Kitchen has a wonderful strawberry Thai basil sorbet recipe that came straight from Emma Galloway's first cookbook, My Darling Lemon Thyme: Recipes from My Real Food Kitchen. The Thai basil is a brilliant and aromatic addition, and the vibrant crimson color comes from nothing more than the beauty of fresh strawberries. We're sold!

2. Watermelon (Booze Optional)

Four ingredients (watermelon, lemon or lime juice, sugar, and water) are all you need to create this light pink-hued summer dessert from Paula Jones of bell'alimento. If you feel like jazzing it up, garnish your sorbet with fresh mint. Or, as Paula suggests, add a little "jiggle juice" (aka alcohol) to it for an adult-friendly batch.

3. Pineapple Sorbet... In a Pineapple!

Christy Denny of The Girl Who Ate Everything puts a fun spin on pineapple sorbet by actually serving the pineapple sorbet in a pineapple. Much like the watermelon wonder above, all you'll need for this delightfully yellow dish is pineapple, sugar, water, and squeeze of lemon juice. If you're looking for a good meal pairing with complementary flavors, serve this dessert after a dinner of teriyaki chicken, rice, and bok choy.

4. Ginger-Beet—An Unusual Treat

This ginger-beet sorbet from Toni Dash of Boulder Locavore is a sophisticated frozen treat. Made with fresh thyme, fresh ginger, honey, beets, orange juice, and a dash of cinnamon, this is the sorbet to turn to if you're looking to surprise folks with something they most likely haven't eaten before. For ease, opt for pre-peeled beets. For a unique flavor twist, make and use beets marinated in balsamic vinegar.

5. Two-Ingredient Blueberry Sorbet

Who better to make a bodacious blueberry sorbet than the US Highbush Blueberry Council themselves? Their two-ingredient sorbet is made with just blueberries and frozen apple juice concentrate. Serve it over cakes or cookies, they suggest, or simply let it shine on its own, garnished with fresh blueberries.

6. Strawberry Rosé

This strawberry rosé sorbet from Katie on Lark & Linen is as delightful in taste as it is in appearance. She uses fresh strawberries, wine, water, and sugar to achieve this whimsical sorbet. Fresh green basil on top further complements the summery flavor and feel.

From those that are simple to those that are slightly more extravagant, our hope is that there's a flavor on this list for every summer sorbet-loving soul out there.

Have any sorbets you like to whip up during the warmer months? Let us know in the comments below!

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