sherbet

Sherbet is a frozen dessert that, in American usage, is a dairy-based treat with fruit flavor. The word derives from the Persian sharbat, meaning a sweetened beverage; over time, the term came to describe a chilled, fruit-flavored dessert.

In the United States, sherbet typically contains milk or cream along with fruit puree or juice and sugar, producing a smooth, creamy texture lighter than ice cream but richer than sorbet. It may be churned or produced in a soft-serve style and sometimes includes stabilizers or colorings. Common flavors include orange, lemon, raspberry, and lime.

By contrast, in the United Kingdom and some other markets, sherbet usually refers to a fizzy, tangy powdered candy rather than a frozen dessert. In those regions, the dairy-based frozen product is more often called sorbet or ice cream.

Origins of the drink sherbet lie in the Middle East and South Asia, where it was a sweetened beverage served cold. The frozen dessert form emerged in Europe and North America in the 17th through 19th centuries, evolving under influence from sorbets and dairy-based ice creams. Today, sherbet flavors span citrus, berry, and stone fruits, with both traditional and modern formulations available in various markets.