Lost in Food

  • Recipe Index
  • Ultimate Guides
  • About
  • Contact
  • VA Services
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Ultimate Guides
  • About
  • Contact
  • VA Services
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Ultimate Guides
  • About
  • Contact
  • VA Services
×
Home » Baking, Desserts & Puddings

Rhubarb Sorbet with Vanilla (by Hand)

Modified: May 30, 2025 by Lesley · Published: Mar 23, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Rhubarb sorbet flavoured with vanilla, tastes every bit as good as it looks. This pretty sorbet is one your family and friends will all enjoy. Rhubarb sorbet is a delicious dessert, and the vibrant pink colour has that show shopping quality to it.

Rhubarb and vanilla sorbet doesn't need to be served alongside a dessert. Scoop this into a bowl and it can be the star of the show all on its own!

As well as making a truly delicious dessert, rhubarb and vanilla sorbet makes an excellent palatte cleanser between courses, if you are hosting a dinner party with friends.

Rhubarb is one of those fruits that divides people. I'm firmly on the side of those that love rhubarb. I look forward to the arrival of the vibrant pink stems of new season rhubarb every spring.

Rhubarb is a really tart stalk, so pair it with sweeter flavours to balance out the sourness. Vanilla, strawberry, mango and ginger are all delicious when paired with sharp sour rhubarb.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • How to make sorbet by hand
    • Prepare the rhubarb puree
    • How to make sorbet by hand
  • Recipe ingredients and substitutions
  • How to stop sorbet from crystallising?
  • Useful hints and tips
  • Pin the recipe
  • Additional recipe suggestions
  • Rhubarb Sorbet
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

How to make sorbet by hand

I have been asked a lot by readers "how do you make sorbet by hand". Although I have ice cream machine, I wanted to show how easy it is to make rhubarb sorbet without one.

The images below take you through the process step by step.

Prepare the rhubarb puree

Ingredients for making rhubarb sorbet.
Fresh lemons squeezed on a green chopping board with a handheld juicer.
  • Look out all your ingredients.
  • Trim the rhubarb stalks and cut into piece and juice the lemon.
Chopped rhubarb stalks with sugar and a little water in a pan.
Cooked Rhubarb.
  • Place the rhubarb into a saucepan along with the vanilla extract, glucose syrup, caster sugar and water.
  • Bring the rhubarb to the boil, then reduce to a simmer to soften (approx 10 minutes for young thin stalks, a little longer for older stalks).
Rhubarb puree being passed through a mesh sieve to extract the juice.
  • Once soft place the rhubarb into a blender and blitz to a smooth puree.
rhubarb and vanilla juice in a glass bowl on a wooden board.
  • Pass the rhubarb puree through a fine sieve placed over a bowl. This will take time as you want to save as much syrup as you can.
  • Discard the fibrous fruit left in the sieve.
  • Add the lemon juice and vodka if using. Taste the syrup, it will be on the sweet side but this will balance out once frozen. Set aside to cool completely.

TOP TIP: Ensure the rhubarb syrup is super smooth before you start making the sorbet.

How to make sorbet by hand

Pouring rhubarb pureed juice into a metal container to freezer for sorbet.
Sorbet after 1 hour in the freezer - showing the crystals forming and how to break them up with a fork.
  • Pour the mixture into a container suitable for the freezer. We recommend a metal tin or large plastic container.
  • Place the sorbet into the freezer for 30-45 minutes. Remove from the freezer and mix with a fork to break up any ice crystals that are forming. Return to the freezer.
  • Repeat this process every 30-45 minutes for 3-4 hours. After that time the sorbet should be smooth.
  • Cover the sorbet and store in the freezer until you are ready to serve.

TOP TIP: The critical point for making sorbet by hand is to take time to break up the sorbet at regular intervals once you start the freezing process.

Recipe ingredients and substitutions

  • Rhubarb flavours this sorbet and the younger the stems, the pinker they tend to be and this will affect the colour. You could also use a blend of rhubarb and strawberry or rhubarb and mango. Just ensure that the overall weight of fruit used remains the same.
  • Vanilla extract adds extra flavour to the sorbet. If you do not like the flavour of vanilla you can leave it out.
  • Glucose syrup helps with the final texture of the sorbet by reducing the amount of ice crystals that form, giving a smoother texture. It can be bought in most supermarkets, we used Dr. Otker in this recipe. You could substitute with golden syrup if you cannot find glucose.
  • Lemon juice is added to balance the sweetness in the sorbet with a little sourness, stopping the sorbet from becoming too sweet. You can substitute the lemon juice for orange juice.
  • Vodka has no taste value, but stops the sorbet from crystallising (see below). Adding vodka is entirely optional. You could also add gin if you wanted the flavour to carry through into the sorbet. Remove alcohol entirely if serving to children!

How to stop sorbet from crystallising?

The glucose syrup reduces the amount of ice crystals from forming therefore, gives the sorbet a creamier texture. The syrup also stops the sorbet from freezing to a "rock hard" state which is important when it comes to serving.

Alcohol also reduces the chances of the sorbet reaching a completely frozen state. We have added Vodka to our recipe as it is flavourless, therefore, will add no taste to the sorbet. It is entirely optional and you can leave it out if you wish.

Useful hints and tips

  1. If you have an ice-cream machine then use that instead of preparing this by hand. Pop the sorbet mixture into the bowl of your machine and churn for the amount of time recommended in the manufacturers instructions.
  2. Rhubarb sorbet is a great make ahead dish so it's an ideal dessert to serve up when you have family and friends coming for dinner. Once covered and placed in the freezer, this sorbet will keep for up to 1 month.
  3. Remove the sorbet from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving, this allows it to soften a little and will make it easier to scoop into portions.

Pin the recipe

Additional recipe suggestions

If you like this recipe then try some of my other delicious recipes

  • Blood Orange Sorbet
  • Healthy Stewed Rhubarb
  • Rhubarb & Custard Layered Dessert
  • Baked Nectarines with Hazelnuts & Yogurt
  • Easy Rhubarb Crumble
  • Rhubarb Frangipane Tart
  • Rhubarb & Ginger Clafoutis
  • Blackberry Parfait

If you love rhubarb as much as we do, then have a read of my 5 Best Rhubarb Recipes post.

For more inspiration have a read of my No Bake Desserts post which contains helpful hints and tips as well as a great selection of our favourite no bake dessert recipe.

Rhubarb Sorbet

Rhubarb sorbet flavoured with vanilla, tastes every bit as good as it looks. This pretty sorbet is one your family and friends will enjoy.
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time: 40 minutes mins
Freezing Time: 4 hours hrs
Total Time: 4 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 126kcal
Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

  • 750 g rhubarb (trimmed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoon glucose syrup
  • 150 g caster sugar
  • 100 ml water
  • 1 lemon (juice only)
  • 1 tablespoon vodka (optional, remove if serving to children)

Instructions

  • Trim the rhubarb stalks and chop into 1cm pieces. Place in a saucepan along with the vanilla, glucose syrup, caster sugar and water.
  • Bring the rhubarb mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer to soften. This should take about 10 minutes for young thin stalks - allow a bit more time for older, thicker stems. You want the rhubarb to be completely soft to allow so that it can be pulsed in a blender.
  • Remove the rhubarb mixture from the heat, place into a large blender (taking care as the mixture will be hot) and blitz to a fine puree.
  • Pass the puree in small amounts through a very fine sieve over a bowl. This will take time, you want to extract as much of the syrup as you can. Discard the fibrous fruit left in the sieve. At this point the syrup will look thick but it will settle and the colour will intensify.
  • Add the lemon juice and vodka if using. Taste the syrup, it should be on the sweeter side as once frozen the sweetness will reduce. Now cover the syrup and allow it to cool completely.
  • Pour the mixture into a container that will house the sorbet. We recommend a metal loaf tin as it makes mixing the sorbet easier.
  • Place the sorbet into the freezer. At 30-45 minute intervals, remove the sorbet from the freezer and mix with a fork to break up any ice crystals that are forming. This will take 3-4 hours. After that time, cover the sorbet and store in the freezer until you are ready to serve.
  • When ready to enjoy, remove from the freezer 5-10 minutes before scooping and serving.

Notes

Glucose syrup can be bought in most supermarkets, we used Dr. Otker in this recipe. Glucose reduces the amount of ice crystals forming therefore giving a creamier texture to the sorbet and stops the sorbet from freezing to a "rock hard" state.
Why add vodka or alcohol? Vodka is flavourless therefore will add no taste to the sorbet. It is optional, it again reduces the chances of the sorbet reaching a complete frozen state. It is completely optional.
Remove vodka entire if serving this sorbet to children.
 
Nutrition Facts
Rhubarb Sorbet
Amount Per Serving
Calories 126 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 12mg1%
Potassium 290mg8%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 99IU2%
Vitamin C 15mg18%
Calcium 85mg9%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Dessert
Cuisine : British
Keyword : fruit, how to make sorbet by hand, ice cream, rhubarb and vanilla, rhubarb sorbet, sorbet
Tried this recipe? We'd love to see your photos!Mention @lostinf00d or tag #lostinfood!
Share on Facebook

More Baking, Desserts and Puddings

  • Rhubarb and orange loaf cake set on a wire cooling rack.
    Rhubarb & Orange Loaf Cake
  • A hand holding a bowl of rhubarb and orange glaze icing.
    Rhubarb & Orange Glaze Icing
  • Ginger & Chilli Biscuits
  • Best Mincemeat Cookies

Comments

  1. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says

    March 29, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    5 stars
    Yum - love the idea of making sorbet with rhubarb! Eb 🙂

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 30, 2021 at 7:34 am

      Thank you Eb, it's certainly one of our favourite recipes.

      Reply
  2. Kate says

    March 29, 2021 at 1:17 pm

    5 stars
    This looks SO pretty, and what a lovely thing to do with fresh rhubarb rather than yet another pie or crumble. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 29, 2021 at 5:03 pm

      Thank you Kate, it is such a pretty dessert and something just a little bit different to the usual crumble.

      Reply
  3. Chloe Edges says

    March 28, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    5 stars
    This looks beautiful!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 29, 2021 at 9:48 am

      Thank you Chloe, it's such a pretty dessert.

      Reply
  4. Cat says

    March 27, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely love this! The colour, the taste - everything! Rhubarb is one of my favourite fruit and this is such a great recipe.

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 29, 2021 at 9:49 am

      Thank you Cat, I couldn't agree more, rhubarb is one of my favourites too.

      Reply
  5. Kat (The Baking Explorer) says

    March 26, 2021 at 8:54 am

    5 stars
    This looks stunning, such a gorgeous colour

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 26, 2021 at 11:49 am

      Thank you Kat it really is a beautiful dessert, the colour is beautiful.

      Reply
  6. Sandhya S says

    March 25, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    5 stars
    We love a good sorbet and this one looks so good. I can't wait to make some when the weather gets a little warmer.

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 26, 2021 at 11:49 am

      Thank you Sandhya, it is a refreshing dessert for a warm day.

      Reply
  7. Carrie says

    March 24, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Never thought I could make my own sorbet but your instructions are so easy to follow. I think I will try it with some gin, perfect for after dinner!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 25, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you Carrie, we wanted to create a recipe that anyone could try out - without the need for fancy kit or an ice-cream maker. Gin would work a treat and is just a straight swap for the vodka. I hope you enjoy.

      Reply
  8. Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says

    March 23, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    My eyes were instantly drawn to this over at #CookBlogShare. Such a beautiful colour and the idea of a rhubarb sorbet sounds so fresh and light. Smitten xxx

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 24, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you Kate this is such an eye-catching sorbet I love the colour, but then I also love anything containing rhubarb.

      Reply
  9. Karen S Booth says

    March 23, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    5 stars
    Love sorbet, even more than ice cream as it’s so refreshing. This looks fabulous and is such a pretty colour too. Karen

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 24, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you Karen it really is a lovely dish.

      Reply
  10. Janice says

    March 23, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely love rhubarb in all its forms but this sorbet is next level. So refreshing and a wonderful colour.

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      March 24, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you Janice, I agree entirely I love rhubarb in all its glorious forms but sorbet is one of my favourite.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

Hi, I’m Lesley.

I’m the blogger, cook and creator behind Lost in Food.

More about me

Read Lost in Food’s interview with Society Aberdeen

Popular Recipes

  • A batch of apple and cinnamon scones set on a wooden board.
    Apple & Cinnamon Scones
  • Salted Caramel & Chocolate Mousse
  • A wooden board topped with slices of sourdough bread, topped with ham and piccalilli with cheese, and a jar of piccalilli set alongside.
    Pam's Piccalilli (from River Cottage)
  • Traditional Cullen Skink

Recent Recipes

  • An oven proof dish with 2 halves of stuffed red pepper topped with melted cheese and a garnish of sliced spring onion and shredded basil leaves.
    High Protein Stuffed Peppers
  • A bowl of tuna and chickpea salad, with crunchy salad vegetables and garnished with toasted seeds.
    Healthy Chickpea Tuna Salad
  • A plate with 3 Spanish chorizo chicken croquettes and bowls of mayonnaise and chilli sauce set alongside.
    Spanish Chorizo Chicken Croquettes (Croquettas)
  • A wooden board topped with 3 lettuce leaves, laden with sliced lemongrass steak strips, crunchy carrot strips, spring onion, crushed peanuts and coriander leaf with wedges of fresh lime.
    Steak with Lemongrass Marinade
Brilliance in Blogging Finalist Badge Brit Mums

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Follow

Contact

  • Contact
  • VA Services

Copyright © 2025 Lost in Food

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.