Doesn’t watermelon sherbet sound (and look) so refreshing and cooling? It definitely is, so it’s just perfect for scorching temperatures of late. It’s also a nice entry for this month’s Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten Free event.
Diane, the queen of all things related to Harry Potter, is hosting Naomi’s longstanding blog carnival with the theme, It All Ends Here. Harry Potter fans will recognize that as the tagline for the latest movie.
Diane explains that means that the recipes for this event will be ones that end a meal. That could be a dessert, a beverage, or whatever recipe you choose to end your meal. There is no need for your recipe to be Harry Potter related, say Butterbeer Ice Cream or Cupcakes. (Incidentally, I had never even heard of Butterbeer before I met Diane!) Although both sound good, again there is no need to submit an HP-themed recipe as Diane will weave all of the entries into a Harry Potter-esque tale when she does her summary at the end of the month. (FYI: Entries are due to Diane by Tuesday, July 26.) Believe me, Diane’s a wizard at weaving such a tale. Check out her post from the last time she hosted Go Ahead Honey with a Harry Potter twist here. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll also want to read about Diane’s trip to the New York premiere of the new and final Harry Potter movie.
But a little more on my latest recipe using watermelon … I’m trying to eat lighter and cooler these days. Watermelon purchases have led to simple snacking and other recipes so simple they hardly seemed like a recipe—e.g., my Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie and today’s Watermelon Sherbet. The sherbet also led to another simple, chilled concoction, but we’ll get to that in a moment. You know my gfe approach, right? When it comes to ice cream, sherbet, or sorbet, rarely can I be bothered with tons of ingredients, heating and then cooling, then freezing, and such. So this sherbet has only three ingredients, and honestly, it doesn’t need any more. Simply blended and then churned, it’s a light and lovely ending to a meal.
Makes about 3 cups. Freeze any leftovers so you can make a milkshake the next day (recipe below).Watermelon Sherbet
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Drink and be amazed at how good this healthy milkshake is!Bonus Watermelon Milkshake
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Honestly, right now, I’m drawn to any recipe that includes watermelon for just its plain refreshing goodness! It was a friend’s Cucumber Watermelon Skinny Martini that got me going on this sweet and juicy tangent. And quite frankly, more watermelon cocktails sound good. For other cooling watermelon recipes, check out the following:
~ Sunny’s (And Love It, Too!) Cucumber, Watermelon, and Mint Salad
~ Elana’s (Elana’s Pantry) Naturally Sweetened Watermelon Aguas Frescas
~ Karina’s (Gluten-Free Goddess) Quinoa Salad with Blueberries, Strawberries, and Watermelon
~ Kate’s (Gluten-Free Alchemist) Watermelon Bacardi Cooler
Please come back tomorrow for a serving of Savory Lemon-Kissed Sun-Dried Tomato Artichoke Chicken Clafouti. After I posted a photo of that recipe on Facebook, many of you have been pleading for it. The wait is almost over!
On Friday, I’ll share my post on Family, Friends, and Pets for the July Self-Care event. Co-hosted by Cheryl (Gluten-Free Goodness) and Valerie (City | Life | Eats), this event is all about helping us take better care of ourselves, something that many of us are really challenged by.
Originally published July 20, 2011; updated January 13, 2024.
Kim (Cook IT Allergy Free) says
Shirley, this sherbet looks amazing! I think I would probably devour it! Of course, the milkshake looks divine as well! This would be perfect for a treat right now. It is just so dang hot (and now even humid with our monsoons kicking in). Bleck.
I cannot wait for that clafouti recipe, by the way! It sounds delish!
xoxo
k
Shirley says
Hey Kim–Thanks!! I had to stop myself from devouring it when it came out of the ice cream maker. So I really didn’t feel badly about plopping the remaining amount into my blender to make the shake the following morning. 😉 I made it last a whole 12 hours! LOL Hot and humid creates a heavy toll on a body. We don’t have monsoons, but humid is part of our name here in VA. Welcome to hot and humid VA; it’s the south …get used to it! LOL
BTW, Mr. GFE is especially nuts about the clafoutis recipe. He would probably have me make it once a week! 😉
xoxo,
Shirley
Alisa Fleming says
That is almost exactly what I have been enjoying every day this week! Only I skipped the sherbet part: watermelon, frozen banana, coconut milk as a smoothie or popsicle. Ooh, I actually have one of those popsicles left!
Shirley says
Oh, Alisa, I need that popsicle right now … don’t you dare eat it! LOL After chatting with everyone about their love of popsicles, poptails, and the like, I’m thinking a Popsicle Party linky for August is in order, what do you think? 😉
Shirley
Lexie | Lexie's Kitchen says
Miles and I just looked at your post and this is what he said: “I want dat one” and then the milkshake “I want dat one, too” : ) You have another fan!
xoLexie
Shirley says
Awww, Lexie, that’s sweet–thanks! You’ve taught those boys to go for appealing colors, so I’m betting Miles is channeling your Squashberry Smoothie on seeing this sherbet and the shake. 😉 Not exactly the same color, of course, but still that orangey-pink hue. 🙂
xoxo,
Shirley
AndreAnna says
Oh this post is so perfect as my kids are losing their dang minds over watermelon lately and I always have some around – I just can’t wait for the local ones to make an appearance. We had a rainy spring so the local ones are a little late.
Shirley says
Hi AndreAnna–Local ones haven’t quite appeared yet here either (well, unless they were started indoors). Mom and dad’s melons will be ripe soon … as long as they can keep the deer away! BTW, kids who love watermelon are good, normal kids! 😉 Hope you get some soon so you can make all kinds of delightful creations. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Zoe says
I really want to participate in this round-up – just haven’t really made anything HP-related or anything that can “end” a meal yet… The sherbet looks good! I can see this working with other fruit besides watermelon.
P.S. “It All Ends Here” is the tagline for the last movie, Part 2; the book is called “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”. 🙂
Shirley says
Zoe–Thanks for setting me straight, dear! The funny thing is that I actually had it right to begin with and got confused by the current movie title and thought I’d screwed it all up, so I changed it. 🙁 Hope I have it right now. FYI–I believe Diane said that your post doesn’t have to be new for this event. You can link up another post that’s a fitting ending for a meal. Just remember to link back to her Go Ahead Honey roundup post and send her your post link and photo. 🙂
I’ve made very similar sherbets and sorbets here on gfe before. The Honey Dewed Sherbet has the exact same amounts of fruit, coconut milk, and honey. The Peach Sorbet recipe is also about the same proportions. It’s really easy to make these sherbets and sorbets. 😉
xo,
Shirley
saretta says
Those look awesomely refreshing!!!
Shirley says
Hi Saretta–Thanks! They are … sure wish I had either right now. Think it’s time to make *something* in my ice cream maker. 😉
Shirley
Tina @madame gluten-free vegetarian says
Hi Shirley!
That sherbert would certainly hit the spot today! I’ve been thinking about buying an ice cream maker . . . but don’t want to blow the budget. Is there a good one you’d recommend? As always, love your post! 🙂 Tina.
Shirley says
Hey Tina–Yes, sherbet would be perfect for a day like today! 🙂 Re; the ice cream maker, if you’re not phobic about buying used, I’d look on Craigslist and in your local paper first. Often folks get an ice cream maker with big intentions and then never use it, so they just get rid of it at a greatly reduced price. One gfe reader just told me she got one from Craigslist that was a steal and in perfect condition. 🙂 Otherwise, you could go my route and use a 20% off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond (or some similar discount). My ice cream maker is a basic Cuisinart and I’ve been very happy with it. Others have gotten good deals on ice cream makers at Target and some folks like the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment, but I understand that’s a bit pricey. If you think you’ll be making a lot of ice cream at once, as in back-to-back batches, I recommend buying an extra tub, because you have to refreeze your tub after making one batch. So pulling out another tub and making another batch immediately (or even that same day) requires an extra tub. Still, I’ve gotten by with just one so far. 😉 Hope that helps!
Shirley
Shirley says
Tina–I threw out a few more ideas on getting a reasonable (or even free!) ice cream maker to Aunt Jayne, so check those out, too. 🙂
Shirley
Aunt Jayne says
Wow Shirley!
You have the best recipes on this blog.
I, too am looking for an ice cream maker that won’t cost an arm and a leg LOL
Shirley says
Hey Jayne–Thanks so much, dear! 🙂 See my comment reply to Tina about getting the best deals on ice cream makers. I am no expert at deals, but another idea for any time you want something like this is to put the word out. Tell folks you’d like an ice cream maker like a Cuisinart, etc. and then see what happens. Often, you’ll find one by word of mouth … “my sister has one of those that she was thinking about selling cheaply” or “I have one, I’ve never used, would you like it?” Sometimes family members are dying to know this type of info because they are stumped on what to get you for your birthday, for Christmas, etc. Oh, one more idea is Freecycle.org, an organization determined to save the world from stuff being thrown into our landfills. Do you have a local Freecycle? You can put out requests for what you are looking for there. People get great stuff that way all the time. “Put it out to the world,” Jayne. It will turn up! 😉
Shirley
Nancy @ Real Food Allergy Free says
I just got home from the gym and I NEED one of those! I gotta get some watermelon soon!
Nancy
http://www.RealFoodAllergyFree.com
Shirley says
Hi Nancy–It looks like you are new to gfe–welcome! Congrats on your new site; we can’t have enough real food sites for allergy-free eating. 🙂 This shake would have been great for after the gym. 😉 Enjoy!
Shirley
cheryl says
That looks amazing, Shirley! And I’m a big fan of having our old stuff go to goodwill
Shirley says
Hi Cheryl–Thank you! Simply delicious. That’s my favorite kind of recipe. 😉 Thanks, too, for mentioning another great resource for finding reasonably priced ice cream makers and other kitchen equipment! We don’t have a local Goodwill, but we have something that’s equivalent, a charity shop, the Opp Shop, that the local Episcopal women run. I donate stuff to it all the time and also pick up props for my blog, stuff for Son’s apt, clothes, etc. Last year, they donated over $150K to local charities from their earnings. Sorry, just had to brag on this awesome charity a bit. 😉 But, you’re right … charity shops and thrift shops are great potential resources.
Shirley
Heidi @ Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom says
This looks amazing Shirley! I’ve been making some orange sherbet lately to pour in a nifty pushpop type mold for my kiddos and I know they will love a watermelon pushup!
Shirley says
Hi Heidi–Orange sherbet is a refreshing classic, but I think I’d choose this watermelon sherbet over orange every time. 😉 Would love to see it in a pushpop mold! I actually just learned about those from Katie Chalmers—very cool (pun intended!). 🙂
Thanks, dear!
Shirley
Jennifer R. says
I am going to print this out now and make it tonight! We are having my dad/stepmom over for dinner tomorrow night and this will be perfect for dessert!! And my ripe watermelon needs to be cut up — yipee!!
I did plant watermelon — but it was late and nothing but leaves and vine so far. We did get a small watermelon with my CSA last week — we devoured that fast!! My kids love watermelon!
see you Monday 🙂 Can’t wait!!
Shirley says
Hi Jennifer–I hope you liked it! I’m assuming that you made a double batch like you normally do. 😉 It’s the same basic recipe as the honey dewed sherbet that you all loved so much. 🙂 Hope your entire family enjoys it! BTW, did you catch the video in a recent previous post on how to cut watermelon easily? It’s worth a watch for sure. 🙂
A watermelon in a CSA box is a great treat! Mom and Dad’s watermelons aren’t ready yet either. They are living dangerously with so many deer around and no fence! Fingers crossed …
Yes, Monday! I better get on my ice cream making, huh? Can’t have a good ice cream social without a lot of ice cream choices. Might have to bring out my massive old-fashioned ice cream maker, too. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Maggie says
It’s so pretty! I love the way it turned out. And oh my, does it sound refreshing! Watermelon is so so so good right now (who am I kidding, it’s always good!).
Shirley says
Hey there, Maggie!–Thanks, dear! Loved the color myself. 🙂 Well, I do think watermelon is the absolute best when it’s peak season. 😉 I always post after the recipe is gone … wish I had some now!
xo,
Shirley
Shannon @ Cozy Home Scenes says
Oh, that looks GOOD! My family enjoys watermelons several times when they are in season. I’m sure we’ve love watermelon sherbet too. Always nice to have something cool and rather light in the warm summer months. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Shirley says
Hi Shannon–It looks like you are new here–welcome to gfe! 🙂 Thank you so much for the kind words. I need to take Mr. GFE with me to the store so I can get another ripe watermelon to get creative with. 😉
Shirley
InTolerantChef says
Watermelon is just so refreshing, I blend it with mint leaves as a juice, but a sherbet is an awesome idea!
Shirley says
Hi InTolerantChef–Oooh, the thought of drinking watermelon juice is divine and so refreshing! I don’t always like mint in recipes, but I think a virgin watermelon mojito sounds perfect. 🙂 I’m just finishing up some cucumber water … my new love. 😉
Thanks!
Shirley
Carol, Simply...Gluten-free says
Oh that sherbet recipe is right up my ally – nothing more refreshing to my mind than watermelon on a hot day and watermelon sherbet – so much better! The only thing I seem to be able to grow in my garden besides herbs (and weeds!) is watermelons, I am not complaining though and one of them is going to turn into this recipe!
xo,
c
Shirley says
Hi Carol–Are you staying cool in Florida? I hear it’s hotter here in VA than there! Woohoo on growing your own watermelons–love that! I need to check with mom and dad to see if any of theirs are ripe. 😉 Hope you enjoy the sherbet! FYI–One friend made it using a full can of coconut milk (would feed more that way) and added some chia seeds. She said hers was more orange than pink, but delish.
xo,
Shirley
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat says
I love recipes that offer a “leftovers” option! It’s like getting two for the price of one. 🙂
And I’m definitely putting an ice cream maker on my Christmas list…is it too early to start one of those???
Thanks for mentioning my watermelon salad!
<3
Shirley says
Hi Heather—My pleasure to link up to you lovely LOVE salad! 🙂 No, it’s never too early to start a Christmas list … the earlier you start, the more likely you are to get what you want. 😉 Hard to wait until Christmas though. I was just reading David Lebovitz’s method for making ice cream with no ice cream maker. You might want to check it out. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
Shirley – watermelon sherbert sounds absolutely heavenly! So refreshing – a must try! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Ina–Thanks! I think you’ll really, really like it! 🙂
Shirley
Sharon M. says
Hi Shirley!
I thought about you yesterday when my daughter picked a 35 pound watermelon! Of course she had to pick the biggest one. I froze some not only to lessen the space burden in the fridge but also for future smoothies and sherbert. Your post is perfect timing!
Love,
Sharon M.
Shirley says
Sharon–I’m trying to imagine a 35-lb watermelon … WOW! That would take up most of the fridge if you hadn’t frozen it. 😉 But boy, you’ll be able to create so many good things from those frozen chunks! Hope you like the sherbet. If you want to stretch it for your larger family, you might try Jennifer’s version that she just told me about … same amount of watermelon, full can of coconut milk, and adjust honey as needed. (FYI–She also added chia seeds.)
Miss seeing you … maybe you can come for our September picnic meeting at DeLaura and Steve’s. 🙂 Enjoy, dear!
xo,
Shirley
Ricki says
I’d say that sherbet has just the *right* number of ingredients–it looks amazing! I love, love, love watermelon! I may just have to make some so my hubby can enjoy it (and so I can sneak a few spoonfuls). 🙂 The shake looks great, too! Watermelon is pretty much the most refreshing thing you can eat in the heat, isn’t it?
Shirley says
Hey Ricki–Thank you! It’s such a bummer that you can’t eat watermelon right now … watermelon really does say summer to me and makes the heat more bearable. If you make this sherbet I hope HH enjoys it “at least.” 😉 And I could drink that shake every single day during the summer I think!
Shirley
Katie says
Oh I can hardly wait to try this tomorrow! I’m not so much into honey – do you think it’s very necessary? Could I use a little stevia or banana or something to sweeten? Also, how frozen solid does this stuff get in the freezer overnight? (Not that I intend on it lasting overnight…I’m not much for the self-control 🙂 Thanks!!
Shirley says
Hi Katie–I’m so sorry on the delayed reply. Welcome to gfe! 🙂 I hope you’ve already made this with your ideas and had great success! A banana and stevia would work just fine I think. The beauty of ice cream with no eggs is that you can taste the mixture before you churn it and adjust as needed. 🙂 This sherbet will get pretty frozen because of the high water content, but it softens quickly when left out on the counter a few minutes. Let me know if you made a variation and how that self control worked! 😉
Shirley
Katie says
Thanks for getting back to me, Shirley! Well I just made the sherbet – I thought about not adding any sweetener but I decided it tasted too much like coconut milk without it, so I threw in a banana. Now it tastes like the banana (obviously) – but I’m loving it! Next time I might try a little stevia. Thanks for the inspiration!
Katie
Linda says
I’m eating homemade watermelon Italian ice as I read this! Your sherbet and milkshake sound delicious too. Thanks for another great entry for the beverage challenge.
Shirley says
Linda–Homemade watermelon Italian ice sounds great, too! Even simpler. 🙂 I’ve loved the beverage challenge. I had one more recipe I didn’t get to, but will just submit it to Gluten-Free Wednesdays anyway when I make it. 😉 Looking forward to the next challenge!
Shirley
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat says
Just lovely, sweet lady! I too am drawn to all things watermelon right now. I was thrilled to see that a watermelon sale begins on Friday at our local market. That means Saturday morning I will be enjoying your Watermelon Sherbet Milkshake! (Because I still haven’t purchased that elusive ice cream machine…and now with the upcoming move to teeny tiny kitchen I don’t believe it will happen any time soon!) So a milkshake it is!
And I’m also featuring this at Raw Foods Thursdays tomorrow. (My heart seriously skips a beat when I see that you’ve submitted a recipe!)
AND thank you for the link love to my Watermelon Jalepeno Love Salad!
Holding on to my sanity until August,
Heather
Ty-Leigh says
I just made this and my son & I gobbled 2 cones each! He is currently begging for a third, lol. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Raia says
We just got our first watermelon of the season, and I’m sure my kids are going to love this. 😉 Thanks so much for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays, Shirley! Hope to see you back this weekend!
Bethany says
This looks like the perfect summery treat!
Shirley Braden says
It really is, Bethany. Plus it’s also “pretty in pink” which is always a plus in my book. 😉
Shirley