Clementine sorbet
To capture the delicate flavour of clementines, we need to use not only the juice, but also a little zest to add a delicious hint of bitternes.
Here's a simple method using sugar cubes.
Here's a simple method using sugar cubes.
144 K 4.1/5 (47 reviews)
2 hours 50 min.
Easy
1 litre 600 ml
5 IngredientsLast modified on: December 24th 2018
For 1 litre 600 ml, you will need:
- 1
2 litres 500 ml clementines - 2
270 mls lump sugar - 3
30 mls jam sugar - 4
20 mls vanilla sugar - 5
1 lemon
Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 45 min.
Resting: 2 hours
Cooking: 4 min.
All in all: 2 hours 50 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 10 min.
Thoroughly scrub and dry 2 litres 500 ml clementines (use organic ones if possible).
Scrape the edges of 270 mls lump sugar over the skin of the clementines.
Scrape the edges of 270 mls lump sugar over the skin of the clementines.
Stage 2
Prepare all the sugar lumps like this.
Stage 3 - 5 min.
Squeeze the juice from the clementines, you should get about 750 grams or millilitres of juice.
Stage 4 - 2 min.
Put the clementine-flavoured sugar lumps in a saucepan with 30 mls jam sugar, 20 mls vanilla sugar and 1/3 of the clementine juice.
Stage 5 - 4 min.
Dissolve the sugar lumps over medium heat, while stirring. Take off the heat as soon as the sugar has dissolved.
Be careful not to let the mixture boil, or the flavour will be lost. Ideally, use an electronic thermometer, if you have one, and do not let the temperature rise above 140°F (60°C).
Be careful not to let the mixture boil, or the flavour will be lost. Ideally, use an electronic thermometer, if you have one, and do not let the temperature rise above 140°F (60°C).
Stage 6 - 1 min.
Pour the mixture onto the rest of the clementine juice.
Stage 7 - 2 hours
Add the juice of 1 lemon.
Put into a sealed container (such as a bottle) and leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Put into a sealed container (such as a bottle) and leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Stage 8 - 25 min.
Transfer to an ice-cream maker and churn.
Stage 9
The jam sugar contains a natural gelling agent: fruit pectin.
This is not essential, but it does make a smoother sorbet which does not go as hard when you put it in the freezer.
Without jam sugar, your sorbet will tend to "clump", like in this photo. This is simply a matter of texture and does not affect the flavour at all.
This is not essential, but it does make a smoother sorbet which does not go as hard when you put it in the freezer.
Without jam sugar, your sorbet will tend to "clump", like in this photo. This is simply a matter of texture and does not affect the flavour at all.
Stage 10
As with any sorbet, you need to take great care over the quality of fruit you use; use the best you can get. The very best will give you an excellent sorbet.
In France, the best clementines, in my opinion, are the ones from Corsica. They are easy to recognise in their boxes with their leaves and bottoms that are still green. Their slightly sharp flavour is utterly delicious.
Beware of poor imitations, those "clementines with leaves", which look similar, but there the resemblance ends, as the taste is nowhere near as good.
In France, the best clementines, in my opinion, are the ones from Corsica. They are easy to recognise in their boxes with their leaves and bottoms that are still green. Their slightly sharp flavour is utterly delicious.
Beware of poor imitations, those "clementines with leaves", which look similar, but there the resemblance ends, as the taste is nowhere near as good.
Remarks
You can use this method with other citrus fruit (mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, etc.).
Keeping: A few weeks in the freezer.
Source: Based on a recipe by Serge Zagori and dedicated to Jérémy and Nicolas, 2 huge fans.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 20 RDI=8 % | 550 RDI=50 % | 0 | 1,950 RDI=100 % | 8,140 RDI: 100 % |
| Per 100 g | 0 | 20 RDI=2 % | 0 | 70 RDI=3 % | 290 RDI: 3 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 1 litre 600 ml : 21.15 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Clementines
Like these other recipes: Clementine cake, Clementine confectioner's custard, Corsican tarts, Clementine Chantilly, European glass, ... See them all 8
Lump sugar
Like these other recipes: Little vanilla, clementine and chestnut verrines, ... See them all 1
Jam sugar
Like these other recipes: Fillings for macaroons, Quince paste, Macarons (the original French macaroons) , ... See them all 3
Vanilla sugar
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Apple Pie, Stewed apricots, Crêpes Suzette, Framboisier, Italian hot chocolate , ... See them all 83
Other recipes you may also like
How to peel a fruit
Usually French chefs says "peler à vif", which means to completely peel the fruit (removing skin and core) and keep only the very best of the flesh. Here is a method for grapefruit, but it can be used for all the other citrus fruit, and many other fruits.February 21th 2011188 K4.3 35 min.
New leavened bread
This new recipe for leavened bread is simple and delicious, but needs rather long resting times. If you'd like more more information about making your own bread, look at this dedicated page.December 30th 2019918 K 34.3 7 hours
Rabbit terrine
This is a rather special rabbit terrine, with some of the meat added in larger morsels to the minced mixture before cooking. These whole pieces of rabbit show when the terrine is sliced and add character, both in flavour and texture.April 8th 2018125 K4.6 15 hours 35 min.
Salmon with sorrel
Salmon with sorrel is the perfect mix with tender salmon and the slight acidity of sorrel.October 13th 2010310 K 15 1 hour 25 min.
African style chicken
This is a sort of smoked chicken, cooked in a tomato-coconut sauce, and served with kidney beans and plain rice. It's quite a simple recipe, with ready-made ingredients, but which needs a long cooking time on low heat (one hour).February 21th 2011415 K5 2 hours 4 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-07-06)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe (as 2 people already do)
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.