orange sherbet (ode to that summer feeling)

sight, sounds, smells, sensations:

crayon wax warm in my hand

the crisp sour smell of cut grass

a tangle of blonde hair turned chlorine green

tan grasshopper legs jumping through sprinklers

slip n slides on the neighbor’s front lawn

ice cream truck music plucking its way through an amplifier

peach skin cracking open on the first bite,

juice running down a small chin,

wiped away by the back of a dirty, innocent hand

diving into the deep end,

grandma and aunt susie standing by,

just in case,

unbothered and gossiping,

casually

afternoon bike rides with many stops—

to Amanda’s house,

to Yvonne’s house,

to Jeremy’s house,

to Erin’s house

Erin is still a sunbeam, shining all over, breathing, giggling, alive.

sun going down, streetlights going on

all at once,

a silent sense of “ping”

mom’s voice calling down the street from the front porch,

a dinner bell

breezing into the house,

plopping down at the kitchen table,

skinny legs askew in my chair

dinner:

shake n bake pork chop,

kraft macaroni and cheese,

iceberg lettuce with ranch dressing

then out the door again,

this time with dad and little sister,

it’s time for

dessert

down the street and around a few corners:

left, right, left, right, left into the parking lot

takes us to Thrifty’s

dessert: orange sherbet

the color of a sunset,

peaches n cream barbie’s dress,

the cat two doors down,

Erin’s young cheeks,

the roses I would send to her on a whim today, right now,

if I could

if she were still a sunbeam, shining all over, giggling, breathing, alive

savor every scoop of orange sherbet while your bowl is still full,

nothing will ever taste so sweet

x. Jamie

“That summer feeling is gonna haunt you one day in your life…”

A Classic Orange Sherbet Recipe

This orange sherbet recipe is easy breezy, and the splash of vanilla gives it a nostalgic twist, reminiscent of a Creamsicle, Orange Push-Up, or Orange Julius. Old-fashioned summer treats, indeed.

Make Classic Orange Sherbet in Three Simple Steps:

Start by mixing the sugar, orange zest, orange and lemon juice, salt, and vanilla syrup in a blender until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer the mixture in to a large mixing bowl, and whisk in the milk.
Cover the mix and leave to chill the in the fridge for an hour.
Once chilled, transfer the mixture to your ice cream maker and churn until you’ve got a nice, cream sherbet.

And just like that, you’ve got a perfectly nostalgic dessert to keep you cool and carefree during the dog days of summer.

Classic Orange Sherbet

This Classic Orange Sherbet recipe is an easy-to-make, nostalgic celebration of “that summer feeling” of childhood.

(NOTE: I’ve included affiliate links to some of the supplies listed below. I really use them! And I do receive a small commission from each sale, at no cost to you.)

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice, about 3 pounds oranges

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups cold whole milk (or sub for 1 can full fat coconut milk, if dairy free)

Equipment Note: You’ll need an ice cream maker for this recipe. I’ve been using this basic maker for years, and it’s never failed me. Affordable, easy to use, and small enough to store in even the tiniest of kitchen spaces (e.g. mine).

Instructions

Stir it up little darlin’. In a blender or food processor, combine all of the ingredients except the milk and process until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and whisk in the milk. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for an hour.
Churn, churn, churn. Churn the chilled mixture according to the instructions for your ice-cream maker. Process until it is the consistency of soft serve ice cream.
Serve. Orange Sherbet can be enjoyed immediately, or transfered to a lidded freezer-friendly container and placed in freezer until firm, about 3 hours.