Granita, palate-cleanser or zesty dessert? Take your pick with this five-ingredient lemon and basil sorbet

The bright zing of lemon is softened by the fragrant sweetness of basil, creating a sorbet that’s both vibrant and intriguingly layered.

Served alongside fresh strawberries – whether delicate white varieties, intensely flavored wild ones, or the juiciest local berries you can find – this lemon and basil sorbet becomes a stunning finale to any long alfresco lunch menu.

This ice cream recipe is as versatile as it is elegant: serve it as a lighter alternative to our poached peaches recipe, or bring it out later in the afternoon as a cool, palate-cleansing treat under the afternoon sun. Either way, it offers the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and herbaceous – an uplifting note to finish a summery feast.

Ingredients

• 2½ cups water
• 10.6 oz granulated sugar
• Pared zest of 3 unwaxed lemons, finely chopped (or coarsely grated)
• 1.8 oz bunch of basil, plus 5 large leaves
• 1½ cups lemon juice
• Strawberries to serve

The Homes & Gardens method

1. Place the water in a pan and stir in the sugar and lemon zest.
2. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, then remove from the heat.
3. Leave the syrup for 10 minutes to cool down a little, then add the bunch of basil and stir to submerge it. Cover and set aside for at least 1 hour.
4. Use a slotted spoon to remove the basil, then stir in the lemon juice. Taste the mixture and, if it's too sour, add a little more water, but be careful not to dilute it too much as the flavor will mellow naturally once frozen.
5. Chop 5 basil leaves and stir through the mixture.
6. Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
7. Alternatively, freeze in a rigid container until half frozen, then whizz in one of the best food processors until smooth. You can then freeze it again until set enough to scoop, or like we did, serve it softer, almost like a smooth granita.
8. Serve with strawberries.

Serve this sorbet intentionally, with matching glass dishes, keeping your summer tablescaping cohesive. Why not let the color of the sorbet shine through with this clear Villeroy & Boch Boston crystal set from Walmart.