For a light and refreshing ending to a summertime meal, serve your guests a sorbet or granita. Icy and sweet, sorbets are made by incorporating air into a sweetened fruit puree or juice as it freezes in an ice cream maker (sorbets contain no eggs or dairy products). The texture is light and the flavor, intense. A granita is similar to a sorbet in that it combines sugar syrup with fruit puree or other flavorings. Instead of being churned in an ice cream maker, a granita is poured into a shallow pan and placed in the freezer. During the freezing process, the mixture is scraped and stirred every 20 or 30 minutes so it does not freeze solid.

A wonderful way to feature fresh fruits in eye-catching presentations, vibrant-colored sorbets and granitas are easy to make at home. To inspire you, we feature recipes like blackberry sorbet, kiwifruit sorbet and watermelon granita.