Glossary · Ice cream & treats
Sorbet
Definition
Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from fruit juice or purée, sugar and water. It is traditionally made without milk or cream, but recipes vary.
Sorbet is churned like ice cream but made from fruit, sugar and water rather than a dairy base, so the fruit flavour comes through strongly. It is clean, sharp and refreshing, which is why restaurants have long served it between courses. Sorbet should not be confused with American sherbet, which usually contains a little dairy.
Do not assume every sorbet is free from milk or other allergens. Some recipes include egg white or dairy, and products made or served alongside ice cream can pick up traces through shared equipment. If you have guests who avoid dairy, ask us about suitable options and check allergen details before the event. Our Lemon scoop is the sharpest, most refreshing flavour on the board, but its ingredients should be confirmed with us like any other.
Related terms
- SherbetIn Britain, sherbet is a sweet, fizzy powder. On an ice cream van it adds colour and a sharp fizz to soft serve. In the US the word means a frozen dessert.
- GelatoGelato is Italian-style ice cream, usually made with more milk than cream and churned with less air, so it tastes dense and intense.
- 14 allergensThe 14 allergens are the major food allergens UK food businesses must give information about, including milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, gluten and soya.
- Cross-contaminationCross-contamination is when bacteria or allergens pass from one food, surface or utensil to another. At a van it usually happens through shared tools.
- The full glossary54 terms, from soft serve to street trading licences.
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