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

During the dog days of summer, it's only natural to crave a cool frozen dessert. After all, scoops of homemade cherry sherbet or strawberry sorbet are some of the tastiest ways to cool down! But if you've ever found yourself at the counter of your favorite ice cream shop wondering the difference between the two—sherbet and sorbet—it's time for a quick lesson.

When you think of sherbet, the rainbow treat from your childhood is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Creamy, fruity, and incredibly refreshing, sherbet (yes, it's sherbet not sherbert like it's commonly pronounced) is a dessert that often gets twisted with its intensely fruity, and just as refreshing, cousin known as sorbet (pronounced sor-bay). Sure, they have a lot in common. They're both fruit-driven and scoop-able! Heck, some people are even guilty of using their names interchangeably. But these frozen desserts have key differences that you should know about before ordering your next scoop.

What is the difference between sorbet and sherbet?

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. Other than the occasional addition of other flavor additives, that's it! Expect a texture that's a little less creamy and a touch icier and harder when enjoying a scoop of sorbet.

Both of these frozen treats are churned in an ice cream maker to achieve a smooth consistency.

In the world of frozen desserts, granita is another sweet that's sometimes confused with sorbet or sherbet. Like sorbet, it's made with sugar and fruit, but rather than taking a spin in an ice cream maker, it's frozen in a pan and, every few hours, flaked off to resemble coarse shaved ice.

Do sherbet and sorbet taste the same?

They're fruity, but sorbet is more so. Since it's just fruit and sugar, the fresh fruitiness really shines through in sorbets. Sherbets on the other hand, have more a milder fruit flavor since the fruit is diluted by the addition of dairy, yet they're also richer that sorbets. Sorbet is oftentimes served in fine dining restaurants as a palate cleanser due to its refreshing nature.

Which is healthier: sherbet or sorbet?

It depends. Because sorbet lacks dairy, it's fat-free whereas sherbet does contain some fat due to the milk or cream it's made with. However, thanks to that diary, sherbets have more protein and calcium than sorbet. When it comes to calorie count, sorbet and sherbet have comparable numbers, depending mostly on the brand that you buy. Next to a scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream, both sorbet and sherbet are lower calorie and generally healthier options. For folks with lactose intolerances or those who follow vegan diets, sorbets are also a delicious way to enjoy and ice cream-like dessert without having to worry about dairy.