Introduction & Inspiration: Pure, Refreshing Fruit Ice
This Strawberry Citrus Ice is pure refreshment on a spoon! I absolutely love its vibrant strawberry flavor, brightly accented with tangy lime and sweet orange. It’s the perfect light and icy treat for a warm day.
The inspiration for this recipe came from wanting a simple, dairy-free frozen dessert that truly captured the essence of fresh fruit. Unlike creamy ice creams or richer sorbets, this “ice” focuses on a clean, intense fruit flavor and a smooth, crystalline texture. It’s wonderfully straightforward.
The key to its smooth texture lies in making a simple sugar syrup first. This extra step makes a world of difference, preventing large ice crystals and ensuring a scoopable, not rock-hard, frozen dessert.
If you’re looking for an easy, delicious, and intensely fruity frozen treat, this Strawberry Citrus Ice is a must-try. It’s sunshine in a bowl, and so simple to whip up!
Nostalgic Appeal (The Joy of Simple Water Ices)
There’s a certain nostalgic charm associated with simple fruit ices. They remind me of childhood summers, street vendors selling Italian ice, or those basic fruit popsicles made with just juice and sugar. This recipe taps into that refreshing simplicity.
But while it shares that basic appeal, making it at home elevates the experience significantly. Using fresh strawberries and citrus juices creates a flavor far more vibrant and authentic than anything made with artificial flavorings.
This recipe feels like a slightly more grown-up version of those childhood treats. The balance of strawberry, lime, and orange offers a lovely complexity. While the smooth texture achieved through the simple syrup method feels more refined.
Making this Strawberry Citrus Ice is a delightful way to recapture that simple joy of a refreshing frozen treat. It’s uncomplicated, delicious, and perfect for cooling down.
Homemade Focus (The Simple Syrup Secret for Smoothness)
I’m a big believer in homemade frozen desserts, and this Strawberry Citrus Ice highlights how a simple technique can yield fantastic results. The key here, beyond fresh fruit, is the simple syrup.
Why bother making a syrup instead of just blending sugar with the fruit? It’s all about texture! Dissolving the sugar completely in water before chilling and combining it with the fruit puree ensures the sugar is evenly distributed and lowers the freezing point consistently. This inhibits the formation of large, crunchy ice crystals, resulting in a much smoother, scoopable ice.
Making it homemade also means you control the sweetness and the quality of the fruit. You can use perfectly ripe strawberries and freshly squeezed citrus juice for the best possible flavor. No artificial colors or flavors needed!
This recipe is wonderfully easy, focusing on blending and churning. It’s a great introduction to making frozen desserts at home and understanding the simple science behind achieving a great texture.
Flavor Goal: Vibrant Strawberry with a Citrus Kiss
The flavor goal here is clear: intense, fresh strawberry takes center stage, beautifully enhanced by a bright citrus kiss from fresh lime and orange juice. It should be sweet enough to be enjoyable, but tart enough to be incredibly refreshing.
The simple syrup provides the sweetness needed to balance the tartness of the fruit and also contributes to the smooth texture. We’re not aiming for the richness of ice cream or the density of some sorbets; this is an “ice,” meaning it should feel light and crystalline on the tongue.
The lime juice adds a necessary tangy counterpoint to the sweet strawberries and sugar. The orange juice adds another layer of sweetness and a familiar citrus note that pairs wonderfully with strawberry.
The overall effect should be pure fruit refreshment. A clean, vibrant, intensely flavored frozen dessert that tastes exactly like perfectly ripe strawberries with a hint of sunshiney citrus.
Ingredient Insights: The Power of Four
This recipe boasts a beautifully short ingredient list, where each component plays a vital role:
- Sugar & Water: These combine to create the simple syrup. As discussed, this is crucial for a smooth texture by ensuring the sugar is fully dissolved and evenly distributed, interfering with the formation of large ice crystals.
- Fresh Strawberries: The heart and soul of the recipe! They provide the dominant flavor, color, natural sweetness, and some body. Use ripe, flavorful berries. Frozen unsweetened strawberries can also be used.
- Lime Juice: Adds essential tartness and brightness. It cuts through the sweetness and makes the strawberry flavor pop. Freshly squeezed is highly recommended.
- Orange Juice: Contributes additional sweetness, a complementary citrus note, and liquid volume. Again, fresh is best, but good quality bottled juice can work.
That’s it! The simplicity allows the fresh fruit flavors to truly shine.
Essential Equipment: Blender & Ice Cream Maker
The equipment needed is minimal but specific for the best results:
- Small Saucepan: For making the simple syrup.
- Blender or Food Processor: Essential for pureeing the strawberries and combining the mixture smoothly.
- Bowl: For chilling the simple syrup and the final mixture.
- Ice Cream Maker: Crucial for achieving the desired smooth, icy texture by churning the mixture as it freezes, incorporating air and breaking up ice crystals.
- Freezer-Safe Container: For storing the finished Strawberry Citrus Ice.
While you can make a granita-style ice without an ice cream maker (see Q&A), using one provides the smoothest texture intended by this recipe.
List of Ingredients with Measurements (Simple & Refreshing)
Here’s your concise shopping list:
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 3 ¾ cups fresh or frozen unsweetened chopped strawberries (about 1.5 pints fresh)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
Simple, fresh, and delicious!
Ensure your strawberries are hulled before chopping.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Syrup, Blend, Churn, Chill!
Let’s make this refreshing Strawberry Citrus Ice:
1. Make the Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the ¾ cup sugar and ½ cup water.
Place over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Once the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is clear, remove it from the heat.
2. Chill the Syrup:
Transfer the simple syrup to a bowl. Cool slightly at room temperature.
Then, cover the bowl and refrigerate until the syrup is completely cold. Using cold syrup is important for the final texture and helps the mixture freeze properly in the ice cream maker.
3. Puree Strawberries and Juices:
While the syrup is chilling, place the chopped strawberries, fresh lime juice, and fresh orange juice in a blender or food processor.
Cover and process until the mixture is completely smooth.
4. Combine and Chill Mixture:
Add the chilled simple syrup to the strawberry puree in the blender or food processor.
Pulse briefly just to blend everything together.
Transfer the final mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1-2 hours or preferably longer. The mixture MUST be very cold before churning.
5. Churn:
Pour the chilled strawberry-citrus mixture into the cylinder of your ice cream maker.
Freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. It will likely take 20-30 minutes, depending on your machine. The ice should be thick but still soft-serve consistency.
6. Freeze or Serve:
Serve the Strawberry Citrus Ice immediately for a softer texture.
Or, transfer it to freezer-safe containers, allowing a little headspace for expansion, and freeze until firm (usually a few more hours) for a scoopable consistency. Enjoy!
Troubleshooting: Achieving Smooth, Flavorful Ice
Even simple recipes can have quirks. Here’s how to fix them:
Problem: Ice is Too Icy/Hard
Cause: Not enough sugar (sugar lowers freezing point), mixture wasn’t cold enough before churning, or over-churning/under-churning (depending on machine). Solution: Ensure correct sugar measurement and that syrup/puree mixture is deeply chilled before churning. Follow ice cream maker instructions precisely. A tablespoon of corn syrup or vodka (for adults) added to the mixture before churning can also help prevent excessive hardness.
Problem: Ice is Too Soft/Doesn’t Freeze Firmly
Cause: Too much sugar or alcohol (if added), not churned long enough, or freezer not cold enough. Solution: Double-check sugar measurement. Ensure churning is complete according to machine directions. Allow sufficient time in a cold freezer after churning.
Problem: Flavor is Bland
Cause: Underripe strawberries, not enough citrus juice. Solution: Use ripe, flavorful berries. Taste the mixture before churning and add a bit more lemon/lime juice or a pinch of salt to enhance flavors if needed.
Problem: Gritty Texture Cause: Sugar in simple syrup didn’t fully dissolve. Solution: Ensure syrup boils and sugar dissolves completely before chilling.
Tips and Variations: Beyond Strawberry Citrus
Get creative with your fruit ice:
- Strain for Smoothness: For an ultra-smooth, seedless ice, strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve before combining with the syrup.
- Boost Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon of orange blossom water to the mixture before chilling.
- Herb Infusion: Steep a few fresh mint or basil leaves in the simple syrup while it cools (remove before combining with fruit) for an herbal note.
- Different Berries: Swap strawberries for raspberries, blackberries, or a mixed berry blend. Adjust sugar based on fruit sweetness.
- Other Citrus: Use all lime, all orange, or even grapefruit juice instead of the lime/orange combo.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the simple syrup.
- Alcohol Addition (Adults Only): Add 1-2 tablespoons of vodka, rum, or a complementary liqueur (like Cointreau) to the mixture before churning. This lowers the freezing point, resulting in a softer texture.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions: Cool Refreshment
This ice is perfect served simply:
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve well-chilled, directly from the freezer (let soften for 5-10 minutes if very hard).
- Scoop into chilled bowls or glasses.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, a small strawberry, or a thin citrus slice.
- Perfect as a light dessert after a rich meal or as a refreshing palate cleanser.
Pairing Suggestions:
- Cookies: Serve alongside crisp, buttery shortbread cookies or almond biscotti.
- Fruit: Top with additional fresh berries.
- Beverages: Sparkling water, iced tea, or a light sparkling wine like Prosecco.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, as of March 27, 2025)
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per ½ cup serving:
- Calories: 128
- Fat: 0g (0g saturated fat)
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 1mg
- Carbohydrate: 33g (30g sugars, 1g fiber)
- Protein: 1g
This information is based on the provided nutrition facts. It highlights the wonderfully light, fat-free nature of this frozen dessert!
Print
Strawberry Citrus Ice
Description
This Strawberry Citrus Ice is pure refreshment on a spoon! I absolutely love its vibrant strawberry flavor, brightly accented with tangy lime and sweet orange
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 3 ¾ cups fresh or frozen unsweetened chopped strawberries (about 1.5 pints fresh)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
Instructions
Let’s make this refreshing Strawberry Citrus Ice:
1. Make the Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the ¾ cup sugar and ½ cup water.
Place over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Once the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is clear, remove it from the heat.
2. Chill the Syrup:
Transfer the simple syrup to a bowl. Cool slightly at room temperature.
Then, cover the bowl and refrigerate until the syrup is completely cold. Using cold syrup is important for the final texture and helps the mixture freeze properly in the ice cream maker.
3. Puree Strawberries and Juices:
While the syrup is chilling, place the chopped strawberries, fresh lime juice, and fresh orange juice in a blender or food processor.
Cover and process until the mixture is completely smooth.
4. Combine and Chill Mixture:
Add the chilled simple syrup to the strawberry puree in the blender or food processor.
Pulse briefly just to blend everything together.
Transfer the final mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1-2 hours or preferably longer. The mixture MUST be very cold before churning.
5. Churn:
Pour the chilled strawberry-citrus mixture into the cylinder of your ice cream maker.
Freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. It will likely take 20-30 minutes, depending on your machine. The ice should be thick but still soft-serve consistency.
6. Freeze or Serve:
Serve the Strawberry Citrus Ice immediately for a softer texture.
Or, transfer it to freezer-safe containers, allowing a little headspace for expansion, and freeze until firm (usually a few more hours) for a scoopable consistency. Enjoy!
Recipe Summary and Q&A: Your Simple Fruit Ice Guide
Let’s recap this refreshing Strawberry Citrus Ice!
Summary: This Strawberry Citrus Ice is a simple, refreshing frozen dessert made by combining a chilled simple syrup with pureed fresh strawberries, lime juice, and orange juice, then churning the mixture in an ice cream maker. It’s light, intensely fruity, dairy-free, and fat-free.
Q&A:
Q: Why make a simple syrup? Can’t I just blend the sugar with the fruit?
A: Making a simple syrup ensures the sugar dissolves completely and integrates evenly into the fruit puree. This prevents a gritty texture and helps create smaller ice crystals during freezing, resulting in a smoother final product compared to just blending undissolved sugar.
Q: Do I need an ice cream maker for this recipe?
A: An ice cream maker yields the smoothest, best texture by continuously churning and incorporating air while freezing. Without one, you can make a granita: pour the chilled mixture into a shallow freezer-safe dish, freeze, and scrape with a fork every 30-60 minutes until fully frozen and flaky. The texture will be icier and less smooth than churned ice.
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries?
A: Yes, unsweetened frozen strawberries work well. You can blend them directly from frozen.
Q: How long will this keep in the freezer? A: For the best texture, enjoy within 1-2 weeks. Store in an airtight container to prevent ice crystals and freezer burn.