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When watermelon is sweet and juicy, it doesn’t need much help. This Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet uses fresh watermelon, lime juice, and just enough honey to create a light, refreshing dessert with bright watermelon flavor. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day!
Table of Contents
One thing I’ve learned from making this recipe is that the watermelon matters more than anything else. If the watermelon is sweet, juicy, and full of flavor, the sorbet practically makes itself. That’s why I always taste the watermelon before blending and only add honey if it actually needs it.
The result is a light, refreshing sorbet that tastes like fresh watermelon first, with the lime simply making the flavor even brighter.
Fresh Watermelon Sorbet Made in the Ninja Creami
This Ninja Creami watermelon sorbet has a light, smooth texture and bright watermelon flavor that’s refreshing without being overly sweet. It’s naturally lighter than ice cream and is surprisingly smooth and scoopable. The lime doesn’t make it taste like lime, it just brightens the watermelon and makes the flavor taste even fresher.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Naturally sweet. The watermelon really shines in this recipe, with the lime and honey enhancing the natural sweetness.
- Only 3 simple ingredients. Fresh watermelon, lime juice, and optional honey are all you need.
- Smooth, scoopable texture. The Ninja Creami transforms frozen watermelon into a light, scoopable sorbet that’s perfect for hot days.
- Naturally dairy-free. A refreshing frozen dessert without milk or cream.
- A great way to use extra watermelon. It’s perfect for those times when you have leftover watermelon that needs to be used before it loses its freshness.
- Easy to customize. Adjust the sweetness, swap the citrus, or blend in another fruit to make it your own.
Ingredient Notes
This super easy recipe only needs three ingredients. Here’s a shopping list for you (check out the recipe card below for precise measurements):
- Watermelon: Make sure to pick a ripe, sweet watermelon! For more info on picking a ripe watermelon, check out the tips below. This sorbet is also the perfect way to use up leftover watermelon, too!
- Fresh lime juice: A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the watermelon flavor without making the sorbet taste like lime. Fresh juice gives the cleanest flavor, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch.
- Honey (optional): I usually taste the blended watermelon before adding any honey. If the watermelon is already sweet, I often leave it out. If it’s a little bland or less sweet, 1-2 tablespoons help bring out the natural watermelon flavor. Maple syrup also works well.
How to Choose the Best Watermelon for Sorbet
It’s worth taking a minute to choose a good one. Since watermelon is made up mostly of water, a bland or underripe melon will make a bland sorbet no matter what else you add.
Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot where it rested on the ground. It should sound hollow when you tap it, and the flesh should be deep red, juicy, and sweet enough that you’d happily eat it fresh.
If you’re using leftover watermelon, give it a quick taste before blending. I also like to pour off any extra juice that’s collected in the container so the sorbet keeps as much concentrated watermelon flavor as possible. If the watermelon tastes a little less sweet than you’d like, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of honey before freezing.
Easy Ways to Customize
- Watermelon mint. Blend a few fresh mint leaves for a cooler, more herbal flavor.
- Watermelon-strawberry. Replace part of the watermelon with ripe strawberries for stronger fruit flavor and a slightly thicker texture.
- Watermelon lime. Add lime zest if you want a more noticeable citrus finish.
- Salted watermelon. Finish each serving with a small pinch of flaky sea salt if you already enjoy salt on fresh watermelon.
- Spicy watermelon. Add a very small pinch of Tajin or cayenne after spinning for a sweet-spicy version.
How to Make Watermelon Sorbet in Your Ninja Creami
Here’s a quick look at how to make this out-of-this-world watermelon sorbet. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Combine. Add the watermelon, lime, and honey to a blender (or food processor).
- Blend. Blend until smooth.
- Transfer. Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container. Place storage lid on.
- Freeze. Place pint in freezer for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Sorbet mode. Run the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker on the sorbet setting x1.
- Respin. Use the re-spin button to re-spin the sorbet x2. If the sorbet turns out crumbly, add a small splash of water and respin again for a more creamy texture.
jamie’s tips
Tips for Success
- Taste the watermelon first. Before adding any honey, taste the watermelon on its own. If it’s already sweet and flavorful, you may not need any added sweetener. If it’s a little bland, add 1 tablespoon of honey at a time until the blended mixture tastes just right.
- Freeze the pint completely. For the best texture, freeze the Ninja Creami pint on a level surface for at least 24 hours. A pint that isn’t fully frozen can lead to an uneven texture after spinning.
- Re-Spin before adding liquid. Watermelon sorbet often looks a little crumbly after the first spin and that’s normal. Run the Re-Spin cycle once or twice before adding any water. If it’s still dry after that, add just a small splash of water and spin again.
- Enjoy it right after spinning. Watermelon sorbet has its smoothest, most scoopable texture immediately after it’s processed. If you’ve frozen leftovers, let the pint sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or use the Re-Spin cycle before serving.
How to Store Homemade Sorbet
Store leftover watermelon sorbet in the Ninja Creami pint with the lid securely attached for up to 1 week.
Before refreezing, smooth the top into an even layer with the back of a spoon. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let the pint sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes, then scoop it as is or run the Re-Spin cycle to restore its smooth, freshly spun texture.
Pro tip: I highly recommend keeping a few extra pint containers on hand. I love having several Ninja Creami flavors ready to spin whenever I want a quick homemade frozen dessert.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
If you’ve made and love this Watermelon Sorbet or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 rating and comments below!
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups watermelon, cubed
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1-3 tsp honey, optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth (or use immersion blender).
- Pour into the Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours.
- Run sorbet mode x1.
- Run respin mode x2. Check the consistency, if the mixture is still crumbly at this point add 1 tsp of water and respin a final time.
Notes
- Taste the watermelon before adding honey. If it’s already sweet and flavorful, you may not need any. If it’s a little bland, add 1 tablespoon of honey at a time until the blended mixture tastes just right.
- Freeze the Ninja Creami pint on a level surface for at least 24 hours before processing.
- If the sorbet looks crumbly after the first Sorbet cycle, run the Re-Spin cycle once or twice before adding any water. Watermelon naturally contains a lot of water, so a Re-Spin is often all it needs.
- Fresh watermelon gives the best flavor, but this is also a great way to use leftover watermelon that’s still sweet and juicy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
This was so easy to make and came out great in my Ninja Creami. I was looking for something refreshing that wasn’t ice cream and this was perfect!