Sherbet (English spelling) or Sherbert (Americanized spelling) is a frozen dessert made from iced sweetened fruit juice or puree. Sherbets usually have more ingredients, like milk, egg whites, or gelatin, than sorbets. Sherbert in the US must have a milkfat content between 1% and 2%, and a slightly higher sweetener content than ice cream; else, it must be sold as ice cream if the fat content is higher or sweetener content lower, ice milk if milk or sweetener content is lower, or as sorbet if no milk is present at all. US sherbert weighs a minimum of 6 pounds to the gallon and is flavored either with fruit or other ingredients.
This frozen dessert is thought to have been developed by the Chinese, then later taught to Arab traders who in turn spread it to Europe.
The term is derived from the Turkish word for Sorbet, Sherbat. Both Sherbet and Sorbet typically can be used interchangeably in recipes, although Sherbet both freezes and melts slower due to the presence of milk.
Sorbet can be made into sherbert if a beaten egg white and lowfat milk is added to the mixture after it is partially frozen.
Sherbet is a often sold alongside ice cream as a lower fat alternative.
Sherbert also refers to any alcoholic drink, especially beer, in Australia.
