26 Refreshing Ice Cream and Sorbet Recipes You can Make without a Machine

No ice cream machine? No problem!
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as an icy mouthful of flavorful sorbet or a smooth and rich bowl of ice cream. Sweet frozen desserts are one of my absolute favorite things about summer (the worst has to be the mosquitoes!), and this time around I’ll be making my own.

Making homemade ice cream and sorbet is actually a lot easier than you may think it is, and once you get the hang of making a simple base, you can experiment and make absolutely any flavors that your taste buds lust after.

They also make excellent milkshakes and cocktails!

Jump to:

• Sorbet
• 1. Strawberry and Lime
• 2. Peach and Prosecco
• 3. Minty Melon
• 4. Cherry Chocolate
• 5. Mango
• 6. Lemon
• 7. Triple Coconut
• 8. Pineapple
• 9. Strawberry and Watermelon
• 10. Black Grape and Cognac
• 11. Rosé
• 12. Raspberry Chocolate
• Ice Cream
• 13. Oatmeal Choc Chip
• 14. Nutella
• 15. Mint
• 16. Cherry Cobbler
• 17. Cinnamon Pumpkin
• 18. Green Tea
• 19. Choc Chip Cookie Dough
• 20. Brownie Batter
• 21. Balsamic Strawberry and Ricotta
• 22. Brandy Alexander
• 23. Blueberry Cheesecake
• 24. Salted Caramel
• 25. Peach and Raspberry
• 26. Key Lime Pie

Sorbet

1. Strawberry and Lime

This flavorsome sorbet is pure bliss in the mouth – the tangy lime isn’t overpowering at all, it’s just the perfect accompaniment to the sweet strawberry. It’s also a wonderful excuse to take the kids (or yourself) out for a day of strawberry picking!

2. Peach and Prosecco

This peachy delight is brought to life with a hint of rosemary, but what makes it really fun for those of legal age is a dash of Prosecco. Of course, this boozy extra can be left out if you’re dishing for the kids.

3. Minty Melon

I absolutely love cantaloupe – it has such a prominent flavor that can’t really be compared to anything else. Add a bit of fresh mint to the mix, and you have yourself the base for a seriously refreshing summer sorbet.

4. Cherry Chocolate

When the craving for something sweet hits, it’s really not easy to ignore, especially if it’s chocolate you’re after. This sorbet is the perfect answer because it’s a lot healthier than other chocolate alternatives, and it’s even allowed on the Paleo diet!

5. Mango

As fun as it is to mix and match flavors, sometimes it’s nice to keep it basic and just let one fruit shine; in this case, that fruit is the mango. Just a little bit of vanilla will really bring out the great flavor.

6. Lemon

Lemon, in my opinion, is another fruit that can be celebrated all on its own; it’s a supporting act all too often, but I prefer it as the star of the show. And doesn’t it just look even more appetizing when served in its own skin?

7. Triple Coconut

This one is for the real coconut crazies out there – the recipe includes coconut milk, coconut water, and shredded coconut. Toss in some Kirsch-soaked tipsy cherries, and you have yourself a real winner!

8. Pineapple

The sweet tartness of pineapple makes it absolutely perfect for sorbet, and if you want to spice it up a little, add a bit of Malibu coconut rum for some extra fun and flavor.

9. Strawberry and Watermelon

Watermelons simply scream summer, but if you’re getting a bit bored of just eating them as is, why not make a refreshing sorbet? The tanginess of the added strawberry perfectly complements the sweetness of the melon.

10. Black Grape and Cognac

I’ve never tasted grape sorbet, but the more I think of that rich flavor of black grapes, the more excited I am to give it a go! A pound of these little guys only comes up to about two cups once pulpified, so you’re going to need a fair amount if you want to share.

11. Rosé

Do you love bubbly rosé? Do you love sorbet? Why not combine the two for one beautifully pink summer dessert? It even rhymes, for crying out loud—rosé sorbet—so I really don’t see where you could go wrong!

12. Raspberry Chocolate

Berry sorbets are always surefire winners, but when you throw chocolate into the mix, it changes the whole game. You’re really going to love the little surprise chunks of dark chocolate hidden within the sweet yet tart raspberry sorbet.

Ice Cream

13. Oatmeal Choc Chip

I’m a cinnamon fanatic, so this one is right up my alley. You start with a simple (homemade) cinnamon ice cream base, and then throw in some chocolate chips and oatmeal cookie pieces for that necessary crunch. Absolute heaven!

14. Nutella

Nutella ice cream. Do I even have to say anything more? You definitely should have seen this one coming! And you can even use that homemade Nutella in here!

15. Mint

I’ve decided to skip the traditional mint recipe in favor of two slightly more exciting recipes: the first is pistachio, mint, and fudge brownie; the second is peppermint, complete with crushed candy canes. There may be no going back after trying these two!

16. Cherry Cobbler

This isn’t your average cherry-flavored ice cream. The cobbler part takes some extra preparation, but oh boy, it's worth it! Everyone loves ice cream, and everyone loves cobbler, so putting them together as one is a no-brainer!

17. Cinnamon Pumpkin

I say ditch the pumpkin spice lattes and make yourself some of this nutmeg and cinnamon pumpkin ice cream instead! It almost tastes like Thanksgiving, just a lot cooler.

18. Green Tea

If you like sipping on a mug of hot green tea in the winter, then it’s about time you get a summer equivalent. This ice cream is a sure winner in any green tea drinker’s book – it’s not too bitter, and also not quite as sweet as its store-bought counterpart.

19. Choc Chip Cookie Dough

There’s no way that I could omit a legendary classic like cookie dough, and to exclude the chocolate chips would just be sinful, in my humble opinion. Now you can make this for yourself, any time you want!

20. Brownie Batter

With a name like brownie batter ice cream, it’s almost impossible to say no. This homemade indulgent treat is packed with rich brownie flavor, chewy brownie chunks, and gooey toasted marshmallows for a dessert that tastes like brownie batter and a toasty s’mores-inspired dream in every scoop.

21. Balsamic Strawberry and Ricotta

If you want a recipe for plain old strawberry ice cream, you’ll just have to look elsewhere because I much prefer this fresh spin on the old classic. The rich flavor you get from the roasted balsamic-covered strawberries really is something else!

22. Brandy Alexander

This one is definitely an adults-only recipe since the main ingredient is brandy, although the recipe doesn’t call for too much of the stuff. Wouldn’t this just make the perfect wind-down dinner party dessert?

23. Blueberry Cheesecake

This recipe uses blueberry Philadelphia cream cheese, which really helps seal in that blueberry flavor. When you add in the crushed graham crackers, you get a frozen version of one of my absolute favorite desserts (and it’s easier to make than the real thing!).

24. Salted Caramel

I’ve always been a fan of the combination of salt and sweet, so this salted caramel ice cream is right up my alley – much like everything else on this list. That little crunch of salt amongst all the sweetness actually enhances the caramel flavor.

25. Peach and Raspberry

To me, this peach and raspberry combination is pure summer, and since it’s held together by ice cream, well, that just makes it even more summery. The tartness of the berries perfectly cut through the sweetness of that peach preserve.

26. Key Lime Pie

I’ve given you both pumpkin pie and cheesecake ice cream, so it only seems fitting that I end it off with the creamy and refreshing frozen version of key lime pie. It’s amazing! And it’s so simple to make.