Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (2024)

Desserts, Recipes, Uncategorized | 12 comments

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This Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet recipe makes a cooling summer dessert. It can be made with or without alcohol and works for low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, Atkins, ketogenic, or Banting diets.

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I’m a bit of a pack rat when it comes to old cooking magazines. I have every Bon Appetit magazine starting in 1992. I don’t store them in the attic or in a storage room. These are my treasures and I keep them where I have easy access. I use these magazines all the time. I love looking at food photos and recipes. Paging through them fills me inspiration with my own cooking.

This recipe for Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet was inspired by an article in one of these magazines. In Bon Appetit’s August 1996 issue, there was an article entitled “When the co*cktail becomes Dessert” by Sarah Tenaglia. One of the featured recipes was Lime Margarita Sorbet. She had me at margarita.

Of course, this recipe was far from low-carb and contained lots of sugar and triple sec, so I needed to make a bunch of adjustments to lower the carb content. The first problemwas the triple sec. This orange flavored liquor contains carbs, so I wanted to find a substitute. I had just been drooling over a low-carb margarita recipe from Step Away From the Carbs, so I checked out her ingredients to see how she handled the triple sec substitution. She used orange extract.to get that orange taste without added sugars. I decided to follow her lead.

The second issue was the quantity of sugar in the recipe. I substituted out the sugar with my favorite low-carb sweetener which has a sweetness twice that of sugar. This decreased the amount I used which was concerning because the texture of a sorbet is dependent on the amount of sugar.

To make up for the decreased sweetener quantity I knew I would need to have a stabilizer of some sort–otherwise the texture would be too grainy and icy. I decided to try some gelatin. I had no idea if this would work and how successful it would be, but I had used it in a few of my popsicle recipes with good results.

So I put my margarita concoction together and poured it in the ice-cream maker and turned it on. One thing I love about this ice-cream maker(I have an older model) is that it has an opening at the top so I can easily see what’s going on inside and spoon out a taste of the developing frozen concoction as I see fit (i.e.. frequently).

I watched the paddle move around for a while and the clear liquid began to look a bit slushy. I wasn’t thrilled with what I was seeing, but I figured that at the very least, I would have a margarita slushy at the end of it all. I went off to do something else while the ice-cream maker did its job. When I checked on it a while later, the margarita slush had turned into a smooth, creamy textured frozen confection. It had transformed into exactly what I wanted.

This Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet recipe makes a smooth sweet-tart frozen dessert that tastes just like a margarita. If desired, for serving, rub the edge of a slice of lime over the rim of a glass and dip it in a saucer of margarita salt. This sorbet is the perfect dessert to follow our Low-Carb CrustlessTaco Pie or our Low-Carb Quesadillas. Really, though, it makes a perfect ending to any summer meal or as a special treat for winding down on a hot day. Enjoy!

-Annissa

Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (5)

This Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet recipe makes a cooling summer dessert. It can be made with or without alcohol and works for low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, Atkins, ketogenic, or Banting diets.

Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (6)

4 from 1 vote

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Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet

This Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet recipe makes a cooling summer dessert. It can be made with or without alcohol and works for low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, Atkins, ketogenic, or Banting diets.

Course Dessert

Cuisine low-carb, Mexican

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Servings 6

Author Annissa Slusher

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated stevia/erythritol blend
  • 1 packet unflavored gelatin (2 1/2 teaspoons)
  • 2 cups cold water (quantity divided)
  • 2/3 cup lime juice freshly sqeezed
  • 6 tablespoons tequila (substitute water if you prefer a non-alcohol version)
  • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract

Instructions

  1. In a 2 quart saucepan, whisk together the granulated stevia/erythritol blend and the unflavored gelatin. Pour in one cup of cold water and let sit for one minute.

  2. Slowly heat gelatin mixture over medium-low heat, while stirring occasionally, until sweetener and gelatin are completely dissolved. Remove from heat.

  3. Stir in the second cup of cold water and lime juice. Add tequila, lime zest, and orange extract and stir.

  4. Cover mixture and refrigerate for about 1 1/2 hours. Process according to your ice-cream maker manufacturer's instructions.

  5. Spoon into a freezer-safe container and freeze 2-3 hours before serving.

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/6th of the recipe

Per serving:

Calories: 51

Fat (g): 0

Total carbs (g): 2

Fiber (g): 0

Protein (g): 1

Net carbs (g): 2

  1. Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (8)

    Jennifer on July 10, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    About to make this and SO excited!!!

    Reply

    • Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (9)

      Harper and Annissa Slusher on July 11, 2017 at 6:15 am

      I’m jealous! I love this recipe!

      Reply

  2. Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (10)

    Jennifer on July 10, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    You are a genius! I just finished making this and had to make myself stop eating it. I have missed sorbet more than just about any other dessert and this is almost an exact replica of Baskin Robins Daquiri Ice. Yummmm!

    Reply

    • Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (11)

      Harper and Annissa Slusher on July 11, 2017 at 6:22 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!I love this sorbet and have been thinking about branching out to try some others. It’s crazy hot here, so any kind of sorbet sounds good to me!

      -Annissa

      Reply

  3. Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (12)

    Lori on January 11, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    Is there anything that you can use in substitute for gelatin?

    Reply

    • Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (13)

      Harper and Annissa Slusher on January 11, 2018 at 8:56 pm

      Agar Agar, Pectin, and Carrageenan can be used as alternative to gelatin. In this recipe, the gelatin is used to help prevent the mixture from turning into a brick when frozen. If you make the version with alcohol and plan to eat it the same day, you may be okay to leave out the gelatin. Hope this helps!
      Annissa

      Reply

  4. Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (14)

    Privé on January 14, 2018 at 1:22 pm

    Hi, I made this according to the recipe and the flavor is wonderful! I made it without alcohol. Coming right from the ice machine it was a little slush-y so I put it in the freezer. Now it is a solid frozen block. When I left it out for a while it went back to slush-y but I was not able to make a nice ice scoop bal out of it. Can you help me? What did I do wrong?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (15)

      Harper and Annissa Slusher on January 14, 2018 at 2:32 pm

      It sounds like you didn’t have it in the ice-cream machine long enough. It needs to be sorbet consistency before you put it in the freezer. Be sure ice cream machine freezer bowl is completely frozen before starting. Also, don’t try to skip the cool-down time in the refrigerator. The colder the mixture is to start with, the faster it will freeze.

      It is a challenge to make ice creams and sorbets that don’t get super hard after they are frozen. In this recipe, the gelatin helps with that, as well as the alcohol (in the alcohol version). The non-alcohol version tends to get harder if it is left in the freezer for a while. Also, if you skipped the gelatin, it will be harder. I usually try to eat homemade ice creams fairly soon after they are made.

      As for your slush you have now–I wonder what would happen if you defrosted it and put it back in the ice-cream maker. I’m not sure if this would be safe from a food safety standpoint (freezing, then defrosting and refreezing), so I guess I can’t recommend that.

      I’m glad you liked the flavor of this recipe. I think if you had kept it in the ice cream machine a bit longer, you would have liked the consistency more.

      -Annissa

      Reply

  5. Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (16)

    Kay on January 28, 2020 at 6:05 pm

    Must this recipe be made in an ice cream maker, or is there an alternative method? Thanks for answering

    Reply

    • Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (17)

      Annissa Slusher on January 29, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      You really need an ice cream maker for this one.
      -Annissa

      Reply

  6. Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (18)

    Gordy_lg on August 10, 2020 at 9:52 pm

    I usually make changes any time I construct a recipe, even that first time. But I’d never really made ice cream or sorbet, so I followed this one exactly.

    I cannot rave enough about how good it is. I can’t imagine how to make it any better ( except substituting more tequila for some of the water 🙂

    For a keto newbie, this is a godsend.

    Reply

    • Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (19)

      Annissa Slusher on August 12, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Mmmmm! More tequila sounds wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it. The one thing I might do if I were to rewrite the recipe would be to add a teaspoon of glycerin to it to help keep it softer in the freezer. A little more tequila might accomplish the same objective.
      -Annissa

      Reply

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Low-Carb Margarita Sorbet Recipe- Simply So Healthy (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use too much sugar in the sorbet? ›

Making Perfectly Smooth Sorbet

Too little sugar and the sorbet becomes icy, too much and it can be slushy — hit the sugar level just right and the sorbet will taste creamy and melt evenly across your tongue.

Can I substitute honey for sugar in sorbet? ›

For a similar effect, you can use some honey to sweeten your sorbet, but keep in mind that it's very sweet and can't be used for 100% of the sugar. Try 1/4 cup honey with 1/2 cup sugar, and work up from there.

What does sugar do in a sorbet? ›

The base is either fruit puree for sorbet or milk/cream for ice cream. It may be enriched with egg yolks for flavour and its emulsification qualities (it helps bind everything together and give a firmer texture to your finished product). There is ALWAYS sugar, for sweetness and for its crucial role in 'scoopability'.

Why add lemon juice to sorbet? ›

It gives the sorbet even more lemon flavor and just a touch of bitterness which nicely balances the sweet and sour. There is so much flavor in lemon peel it would be a waste not to take advantage of it.

What ingredient cancels out sugar? ›

The solution: unsweetened cocoa powder. If you're working with two quarts of sauce, start with 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder and work your way up. This can help the dish taste less sweet even though it has the same amount of sweetener. Don't add too much or your dish will have a chocolatey taste.

Should diabetics eat sorbet? ›

"It really depends on each person's individual dietary needs and what their health goals are," says Joy. "For example, if you're sensitive to eating dairy, then you should go for the sorbet. But if you're watching your blood-sugar levels, then sorbets aren't the best choice because they raise blood sugar quicker."

Which is healthier, sorbet or sherbet? ›

On the flipside nutritionally, sherbet and sherbert will have more nutrients (even if more saturated fat) than sorbet. "Sherbet generally has some addition of dairy, though less than ice cream, and therefore, it will have more protein and minerals like calcium than sorbet," she says.

What makes sorbet creamy? ›

A sugar concentration between 20% to 30% will generally produce a scoopable, creamy sorbet. * Add less and your sorbet is too icy to scoop; add more and it may never freeze.

Can sorbet be healthy? ›

Sorbet has less calories than ice cream and other frozen desserts, and no fat. It's fruit content also makes it rich in vitamin C. Any downsides? That fruit content also means it contains a fair bit of sugar, and if we're comparing it with ice cream and gelato, it has less calcium, vitamin A and iron.

How many carbs and sugar are in sorbet? ›

In general, a cup of an all-fruit sorbet contains 34 grams of sugar, 184 calories, 46.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 0 fats. When you dig deeper into the nutritional contents of each frozen delight, you will see that there's almost no difference.

Why add egg white to sorbet? ›

The optional egg white helps to stabilize, emulsify, and preserve the texture of the sorbet if you are going to keep it in your freezer for a few days.

Why add vodka to sorbet? ›

Since alcohol doesn't freeze, the vodka helps add smoothness to the the crunchy, icy texture of the sorbet. I made mine with Heritage Distilling Company's vodka. Triple distilled with a smooth finish, it's the perfect addition to this refreshing dessert.

What thickens sorbet? ›

But Italian sorbets, called sorbettos, have the same luxurious mouth-feel as an ice cream. I worked on many batches before discovering that through a combination of reducing down the simple syrup to concentrate it, and then adding some thickening via a bit of cornstarch, it could happen!

What can I use to stabilize my sorbet? ›

  • Procrema 100 Cold/Hot Natur allows us to stabilize ice creams naturally with an easy formulation.
  • Prosorbet 100 Cold Natur allows us to stabilize sorbets naturally with an easy formulation.
  • Guar gum allows us to stabilize ice creams whithout the need of heating up.
  • Carob gum allows us to stabilize ice creams with heat.
May 1, 2021

What if my sorbet is too sweet? ›

If it's too sweet, all it takes is the addition of highly acidic ingredients like lemon or vinegar, some water, or more fruit. Whether you planned to make a summer strawberry sorbet or decided to boost it with some Grand Marnier, you'll find these tips very helpful.

What will happen if too much sugar is added? ›

Over time, this can lead to a greater accumulation of fat, which may turn into fatty liver disease, a contributor to diabetes, which raises your risk for heart disease. Consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressure and increase chronic inflammation, both of which are pathological pathways to heart disease.

What to do if you added too much sugar? ›

If you over sweeten, you have a few different options, according to Curtis. He suggests adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. "The acidity helps to balance it," he explains. If you don't have either handy, you can also try yogurt, or you can add a fat like olive oil, the chef says.

What happens if you put too much sugar in ice cream? ›

Sugar affects the texture by enhancing creaminess and controlling hardness levels. Too much sugar in a recipe can prevent your ice cream from freezing, and too little sugar in ice cream can make it hard. Air keeps ice cream soft and scoopable.

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