Coconut Sorbet

This creamy and delicious Coconut Sorbet is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a refreshing frozen dessert that’s vegan, dairy free, gluten-free, and easy to make.

Prepare yourself for a burst of tropical flavor as we dive into the luscious blend of creamy coconut, velvety smoothness, and natural sweetness. Whether you’re a vegan food enthusiast, a coconut connoisseur, or simply searching for a guilt-free treat, this coconut sorbet recipe is sure to impress.

It’s creamy like ice cream. In fact, some of my readers have said I should call it Vegan Coconut Ice Cream. And it comes together with only 3 ingredients and minimal cooking (just about 5 minutes or so to melt some sugar).

Once it’s all cooled down, and the creamy mixture has been churned in the {affiliate link} ice cream machine, it’s ready to enjoy.

Something so simple can be so delicious! Get ready to indulge in a scoop of paradise with our sensational homemade sorbet creation.

I first shared this recipe in 2019, but I have updated it here for a better user experience with new pictures and information.

Thanks for being here

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

How to make

We’ll guide you through the simple steps of creating this refreshing dairy-free dessert that will have you coming back for seconds.

The full printable recipe ingredients and instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can find important tips and tricks in the post.

So easy, even a beginner can make it!

Combine the coconut water and sugar in a small saucepan, and heat over low heat stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Allow the syrup to cool completely.

Stir in the coconut milk.

Cover and refrigerate until cold. Stir the chilled mixture to recombine everything.

Freeze the coconut mixture in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s directions. When finished, the sorbet will be soft, but ready to eat. For firmer sorbet, transfer to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze at least 2 hours.

How long can the sorbet be stored in the freezer?

Keep the sorbet tightly covered in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

This is my favorite {affiliate link} ice cream container. It’s doubled walled for insulation, reusable, stackable, and fits nicely in the freezer.

What is coconut water?

Coconut water is the juice from the insides of ripe coconuts.

See, coconuts are filled with a lovely fragrant clear liquid, or coconut water.

For the coconut plant, this coconut water is a suspension for the baby coconut during early development.

Some companies have started selling this coconut water as a type of sports drink.

And, I typically find these various brands of coconut water in the produce department or the fresh juice department of my grocery store.

What’s coconut milk?

If the coconut water comes fresh from the coconut, the coconut milk takes a little time to make.

Coconut milk is made by steeping the grated white coconut flesh (think shredded coconut that you bake with) in hot water.

This process releases the flavor of the coconut meat.

Coconut milk tips

Tips to get the coconut milk smooth

Make sure to shake the can of coconut milk really well.

Coconut milk has a tendency to separate in the can so that the coconut cream and solids rise to the top and the coconut water sinks to the bottom.

Shake it up really good so that you mix the solids back into the water.

Otherwise, you may end up with some solid-ish chunks in your sorbet. It’ll be like you added nuts to the sorbet.

I did some testing with the sorbet to see if the coconut solids would work themselves out in the ice cream machine. They do not smooth out in the machine.

If you can’t get the coconut solids to mix back in, and you find the coconut milk to still be chunky no matter how hard you shake, here’s the easy answer. You can pour the coconut milk into a glass measuring cup and stir it with a fork or a small whisk to get it to come back together.

And if that doesn’t work, you can heat the coconut milk gently in a saucepan over low heat or briefly in the microwave, stirring until the lumps dissolve. Be careful not to boil the coconut milk, as this can cause it to separate or curdle.

If you heat the coconut milk, make sure to let it cool completely again before trying to churn it into ice cream. Hot liquids will have a tendency to ice over when frozen, and you’ll be left with an icy slushie rather than a creamy ice cream.

What if my can of coconut milk has different ounces?

Cans of coconut milk may vary a little bit in size, a few more or a few less ounces.

Don’t worry, a little more or a little less than the 13.5 ounce can that I call for in the recipe, it’ll all work out well.

Though I would say that if your can of coconut milk is more than 16 ounces, that’s about as much as I’d put in the sorbet. In that case, measure out 13.5 ounces and save the rest for another use like my chocolate mousse cups.

Coconut recipes you’ll love!

I love coconut. In fact, my mom loved it so we ate it all the time. It’s sort of genetically in me to love coconut.

If you like it the way I do, you’ll want to try my Coconut Custard Ice Cream, Coconut Thumbprint Cookies, and Coconut Icebox Cake.

Can I make it without an ice cream maker?

There are ways to make ice cream without an ice cream maker. I find that the ice cream machine makes the best smooth and creamy dessert, and I highly recommend it for this recipe.

But, I had a friend make it in one of these slush makers (affiliate link); you could try that.

You can also try it by freezing it in a tray. Pour it into a freezer-proof container, cover, and freeze for several hours, giving it a stir every hour or so, or until firm.

It may not be as soft as sorbet or ice cream; the churning adds air to it.

What is sorbet?

Sorbet is typically a sweetened water-based frozen treat with fruit puree. Sorbet should be dairy free, and is often churned in an ice cream machine.

It typically has a softer creamier consistency than sherbet.

And it’s a nice palate cleanser and would be fantastic for a dinner party.

Want to read more about the different kinds of frozen treats, like ice cream, sherbet, or gelato? Take a look at my post on all the different kinds of frozen summer treats!

Feel free to call this recipe vegan coconut ice cream if you’d like! Some of my other readers do!

Diabetes & health issues

A reader once told me this coconut ice cream was good for diabetes, so I did a little more digging into coconut milk and diabetics.

Can diabetics have coconut milk?

Of course, always follow the advice of your doctor. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether any of your medications could interact with it as well.

Yes, diabetics can have coconut milk. The glycemic index of coconut milk is low, making it super-healthy for diabetics.

Coconut milk is rich in fiber, which plays a significant role in slowing the conversion speed of starch into glucose, maintaining steady blood glucose concentration. 

This sorbet does have sugar in it, so be aware of that and don’t over indulge.

Is the sorbet suitable for individuals with nut allergies?

Coconuts and tree nuts are botanically different so people with tree nut allergies should be able to tolerate coconut. However, some people who are allergic to tree nuts (like almonds, cashews, and walnuts) are also allergic to coconut.

My recommendation is that if you have a nut allergy, speak to talk to your doctor about what foods to avoid.

Other health benefits

The sorbet is not only delicious but also a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream.

It’s vegan and dairy free, making it great for lactose intolerant individuals. There are lots of benefits of using plant-based ingredients, such as the richness of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in coconut milk.

Since it’s also gluten-free, it’s perfect for people who can’t have or should avoid gluten.

More summer frozen treats recipes

Lemon thyme sorbet
Peach sorbet
Sauvignon blanc sorbet
Watermelon sorbet
Cherry Popsicles

Serving suggestions

Ideas for serving the coconut sorbet, besides simply enjoying it on its own, include pairing it with fresh fruit, garnishing it with fresh mint, or use it as a topping for other desserts like cakes or pies.

What toppings pair well with coconut sorbet? Fruits are a natural with this coconut sorbet. Try my orange blueberry compote or roasted strawberries and cherries.

Swirl in some lemon curd after the sorbet is churned.

Serve it as a float or affogato style. I’ve served it here with my Pineapple Mocktail & it’s so refreshing! But don’t stop there, add a scoop to margaritas or a pina colada.

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Coconut Sorbet Recipe