Berry Sorbet

If using a canister-style ice-cream machine, be sure to freeze the empty canister at least 24 hours and preferably 48 hours before churning. For self-refrigerating ice-cream machines, prechill the canister by running the machine for 5 to 10 minutes before pouring in the sorbet.

1. Pulse berries, sugar, and salt together in food processor until combined, about 15 pulses. With processor running, add water, lemon juice, and vodka, if using, and continue to process until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Strain mixture through fine-mesh strainer into large bowl and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 1 hour.
2. Transfer mixture to ice-cream machine. Churn until mixture resembles soft-serve ice cream. Transfer sorbet to airtight container, press firmly to remove any air pockets, and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours. (Sorbet can be frozen for up to 1 week.)

ORANGE SORBET
Omit berries. Reduce sugar by 1 tablespoon and add 2 teaspoons grated orange zest to food processor with sugar and salt. Omit water and reduce lemon juice to 1 tablespoon; add 2 cups orange juice (4 oranges) to processor with lemon juice.

GRAPEFRUIT SORBET
Omit berries and lemon juice. Increase sugar by 1 tablespoon and add 2 teaspoons grated grapefruit zest to food processor with sugar and salt. Add 1-1⁄2 cups grapefruit juice (3 grapefruits) to processor with water. Substitute Campari for vodka.

LEMON SORBET
Omit berries. Increase sugar to 1-1⁄4 cups and water to 1-1⁄2 cups; add 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest to food processor with sugar and salt. Increase lemon juice to 1⁄2 cup (3 lemons).

LIME SORBET
Omit berries. Increase sugar to 1-1⁄4 cups and water to 1-1⁄2 cups; add 2 teaspoons grated lime zest to food processor with sugar and salt. Substitute 1⁄2 cup lime juice (4 limes) for lemon juice.

BLUEBERRY SORBET
Substitute 12 ounces blueberries for berries.

PEACH SORBET
Substitute 2-1⁄2 pounds peaches, peeled, halved, pitted, and chopped coarse, for berries. Reduce sugar by 1 tablespoon. Substitute rum or peach schnapps for vodka.

MANGO SORBET
Substitute 3 mangos, peeled, pitted, and chopped coarse, for berries. Reduce sugar to 3⁄4 cup plus 1 tablespoon.

PINEAPPLE SORBET
Substitute 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped coarse, for berries. Reduce sugar to 3⁄4 cup and lemon juice to 1 tablespoon.