This was a totally unplanned recipe—and I’m so glad it happened. Since Ry works at a produce terminal, he’s surrounded by literal tons of fruit and vegetables every day. Occasionally, he comes across something a little more exotic. Or at least, exotic for Philly.
On this glorious day, he came home with a few dragon fruits—bright pink, spiky, and seriously eye-catching. A coworker (Hi Steve!) had snagged a few and handed them off with the very wise suggestion that I make a dragon fruit sorbet. And honestly, when I’m asked to make a sorbet like this? I don’t say no.
This fruit sorbet is tropical, tangy, lightly sweet, and unbelievably smooth. Whether you call it dragon fruit sorbet or pitaya sorbet, it’s an easy fruit sorbet you’ll want on repeat all summer.
when I’m asked to make some dragonfruit sorbet, I don’t say no.
What Is Dragon Fruit Sorbet?
Dragon fruit sorbet is a frozen dessert made from pureed dragon fruit (also called pitaya), lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup. It’s naturally dairy-free, vegan, and made without eggs.
The star of the show is the dragon fruit itself—fleshy, bright, and subtly sweet. The flavor is mild but refreshing, almost like a cross between a kiwi and a pear. When blended and frozen, it becomes a silky, spoonable treat that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to make.
Ingredients for Dragon Fruit Sorbet
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this fruit sorbet:
- 1 dragon fruit (pitaya) – Use the red-fleshed variety for that intense magenta color.
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water – For the simple syrup.
- Juice of 2 limes – Adds brightness and balances everything out
- Pinch of salt – Just enough to enhance the sweetness.
- Edible flowers (optional) – Nasturtiums, pansies, or mint for garnish.
How to Make Sorbet (The Easy Way)
Here’s how to make sorbet at home with a few easy steps:
- Prep your simple syrup
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until dissolved. Cool completely in the fridge. - Blend the fruit
Scoop out the flesh of your dragon fruit and blend until smooth. - Mix it up
Stir in the lime juice, cooled simple syrup, and a pinch of salt. - Chill the base
Let the sorbet mixture chill for a few hours. This helps it freeze faster and churn more evenly. - Churn
Add the chilled mix to your ice cream maker and churn for 10–15 minutes.
Freeze: Transfer to a pre-chilled container and freeze for about 4 hours.
I love serving it in the scooped-out dragon fruit shell, topped with edible flowers from the garden. But you can keep it simple and scoop it straight into a bowl.
Tips for Perfect Dragon Fruit Sorbet
- Use ripe fruit: The more ripe your dragon fruit, the sweeter and more flavorful the sorbet.
- Chill everything: Cold ingredients churn faster and produce a smoother texture.
- Taste before freezing: The mix should be slightly sweeter than you’d like—the sweetness dulls once frozen.
- Add-ins: A few mint leaves or a splash of coconut water can give it a twist.
Can You Make Dragon Fruit Sorbet Without an Ice Cream Maker?
Yes! If you don’t have an ice cream machine, pour the chilled mixture into a shallow container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir vigorously with a fork to break up the ice crystals. Repeat until smooth and scoopable—about 3–4 hours total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dragon fruit sorbet vegan?
Yes! It’s naturally vegan and dairy-free—no eggs or cream required.
What does dragon fruit sorbet taste like?
It’s light, refreshing, and mildly sweet with a tangy kick from lime juice. Think tropical and clean.
Can I use frozen dragon fruit?
Absolutely. If using frozen chunks, let them thaw slightly before blending.
How long does homemade sorbet last?
It’s best eaten within 1–2 weeks for peak texture, but it’ll keep in the freezer for up to a month.
More Delicious Summer Treats to Try:
Easy Pitaya Bowl Recipe (Dragon fruit Smoothie Bowl) – A delicious dragon fruit smoothie bowl (pitaya bowl) topped with toasted coconut, coconut cream and fresh mint.
Jackfruit Smoothie Bowl – A super refreshing jackfruit and spinach smoothie bowl topped with banana, mango, coconut, pitaya (dragon fruit) and fresh mint.
Canary Melon Sherbet – A delicious recipe for melon sherbet topped with vanilla bean whipped cream.
Strawberry Ice Cream (Philadelphia Style) – An easy strawberry ice cream recipe made without eggs, using fresh or frozen berries. This Philadelphia-style ice cream is creamy, simple, and perfect for summer.
Did you make this recipe?
Did you try this Dragon Fruit Sorbet recipe? Leave a comment and start rating below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
Dragon Fruit Sorbet (Pitaya Sorbet) Recipe
Equipment
- Ice Cream Machine
Ingredients
The Sorbet
- 1/2 C sugar
- 1/3 C water
- 1 dragonfruit pitaya
- juice from 2 limes
- salt
To Garnish
- nasturtium flowers pansies, or another edible flower
Instructions
- Make sure to stash a container for your finished sorbet in the freezer so it’s pre-chilled and ready when you’re done churning.
- You first want to make your simple syrup. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat just until it’s dissolved. Remove from the heat, place in a jar and let cool in the fridge.
- Scoop out the contents of your dragonfruit (pitaya) and blend until smooth. It should only take a few seconds. Then add your blended dragonfruit to another jar and add in the lime juice.
- Mix in your simple syrup and a pinch of salt. Keep in mind that this will taste slightly too sweet before it’s frozen.
- Thoroughly chill your sorbet mix for at least a few hours.
- Then when you are ready, add it to your ice cream machine and let it run for about 10-15 minutes following the machine’s instructions. When you’re finished churning, add it to a pre-chilled freezer ready container and leave to completely freeze for about 4 hours.
- I served mine in the frozen dragonfruit skins with some nasturtium flowers from our garden, cause they’re pretty, but you can use mint, pansies, or any other edible flower you want, though totally not necessary. Next, eat up!
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
One thought on Dragon Fruit Sorbet (Pitaya Sorbet)
This sorbet looks delish. So refreshing on a warm summer day. Although I will never make it – too much work – I would definitely consume given the opportunity.