Blood Orange Cardamom Sorbet

Directions

1. 1In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and granulated sugar. Stir gently until the sugar fully dissolves, about 3 to 4 minutes, then remove from heat and let the simple syrup cool to room temperature.
2. 2Squeeze enough blood oranges to yield 1.5 cups of fresh juice, then stir in the lemon juice, ground cardamom, sea salt, and blood orange zest if using. Add the cooled simple syrup and stir everything together until well combined.
3. 3Pour the base into a Ninja Creami pint container, filling it no higher than the max fill line. Place the lid on securely and set the pint on a flat, level surface in your freezer. Freeze for 24 hours.
4. 4After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes, then install it in your Ninja Creami machine and run the SORBET preset.
5. 5Check the texture after the cycle completes. If the sorbet looks crumbly or powdery, add a small splash of blood orange juice or water directly to the pint and run the Re-spin function until smooth and scoopable.
6. 6Serve immediately topped with candied orange peel if desired, or store the pint in the freezer for later enjoyment.

Tips

• Freeze the pint completely flat and level in your freezer for the full 16-24 hours so it spins evenly when you insert it into the Creami.
• If your sorbet comes out crumbly or too icy after spinning, add a tablespoon of water or fresh lemon juice and re-spin for a creamier texture.
• Taste the liquid base before freezing; the cardamom flavor can be subtle, so don't hold back on the ground cardamom if you prefer a stronger spice note.

Variations

• Swap half the blood orange juice for fresh grapefruit juice for a more tart, sophisticated flavor.
• Add a tablespoon of honey or agave to the base before freezing for extra smoothness and a slightly richer mouthfeel when you spin it.

FAQ

Can I use bottled blood orange juice instead of fresh?

Yes, bottled works fine as long as it has no added sugar or preservatives; just stick to 100% juice.

Why is my sorbet crumbly or powdery after spinning?

The pint may not be frozen solid enough, or the base may have had too little sugar or liquid. Make sure you freeze for the full 16-24 hours, and try adding a splash of water when you re-spin.

Can I make this less sweet or lighter?

You can reduce the sugar by up to 2 tablespoons, but it will affect how smoothly the pint freezes and spins; add an extra tablespoon of water if you cut sugar to keep the texture creamy.

How long can I store the frozen pint in the freezer?

Keep it frozen for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container; after that, ice crystals can form and the texture becomes grainy when you spin it.

Nutrition

Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated