Strawberry Ice

Strawberry ice is a must-try recipe that brings a burst of summer to your table with its vibrant color and refreshing flavor. This delightful frozen dessert is incredibly easy to make, requiring only a handful of ingredients: ripe strawberries, sugar, water and lemon juice. You don’t need any special equipment—just a blender or food processor to puree the strawberries and a freezer to set the mixture. The result is a smooth, icy treat that perfectly balances sweetness with a hint of tartness, making it perfect for cooling down on a hot day. Ideal for summer parties, weeknight family meals or festive celebrations, strawberry ice is a delightful way to enjoy the season’s flavors.

Strawberry Ice Ingredients 

• Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries, but for the best flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries. The sweeter the strawberries, the better your strawberry ice will taste. If you do go with frozen, allow the strawberries to thaw, then drain the excess liquid and gently pat them dry.
• Sugar: You can substitute sugar with honey, agave syrup or a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol. Adjust the quantity to taste, as some sweeteners are more potent than sugar.
• Lemons: The zest and juice from a lemon brighten up this frozen dessert.

Directions    

Step 1: Blend the strawberries

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Place the strawberries in a blender or food processor, then cover them and process until smooth. 

Step 2: Melt the sugar

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

In a saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil. Cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved, about five minutes; cool slightly. Add to your blender. Add in the lemon juice, then cover and process until combined.

Editor’s Tip: Taste the mixture before freezing, and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as needed.

Step 3: Freeze the mixture

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Pour into a shallow freezer container; cover and freeze for four to six hours, or until almost frozen. Just before serving, whip the mixture in a blender or food processor. Garnish with mint leaves, whole strawberries or a slice of lemon for a fruity presentation.

Editor’s Tip: For a fluffier texture, stir the mixture with a fork every 30 minutes during the first few hours of freezing.

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Strawberry Ice Variations

• Blend in more berries: Combine strawberries with other berries such as fresh blueberries, raspberries or blackberries for a mixed berry treat.
• Make it creamy: Replace part of the water with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical version.
• Strain the puree: If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds before freezing.
• Add some herbs: Toss a handful of fresh mint leaves into the blender for a refreshing minty twist, or steep herbs like basil or thyme in the water before mixing with the strawberries for an herbal note.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small piece of fresh ginger to the mix for a surprisingly spicy kick.

How to Store Strawberry Ice

To store strawberry ice, transfer it to an airtight container and place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice before sealing the container; this will minimize ice crystals and freezer burn. Store the container in the coldest part of your freezer, where it will maintain a consistent texture. Strawberry ice can be stored for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to scoop.

Strawberry Ice Tips   

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

What’s the difference between strawberry ice and strawberry sorbet?

Both strawberry ice and strawberry sorbet are delicious frozen desserts made with fruit, but they have differences in texture, ingredients and preparation. Strawberry ice is typically made with pureed strawberries, sugar, water and sometimes lemon juice. It has a granular, icy texture similar to granita. Sorbet, on the other hand, also uses fruit puree, sugar and water, but it may include additional ingredients like corn syrup or alcohol to improve texture and freezing properties.

Sorbet is known for its smooth, creamy texture, achieved by churning the mixture during freezing, which incorporates air and prevents large ice crystals from forming. While strawberry ice is often made by simply blending the ingredients and freezing them with occasional stirring, sorbet requires an ice cream maker for churning, resulting in a finer and more consistent texture.

Can I make strawberry ice without a blender or food processor?

Yes, you can mash the strawberries by hand using a potato masher or fork, though the texture will be less smooth.