Nieve de Limón (Mexican Lime Sorbet)
A sharp, creamy-smooth lime sorbet made in a tub with no machine, perfect after spicy food.
Made with Agua fresca syrup. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min plus freezing
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.43 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) in advance and chill it.
- 2
Mix 400 ml of the ready made agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) with the cold water, lime juice, zest and salt.
- 3
Pour into a shallow freezer-safe tub and freeze for 45 minutes.
45 min - 4
Stir with a fork, breaking up the ice crystals. Return to the freezer and repeat every 45 minutes, 3 or 4 times, until thick and scoopable.
- 5
Leave to soften for 5 minutes and scoop into chilled glasses. Serve with a lime wedge.
Tips
- Stir or fork the sorbet every 45 minutes during freezing so ice crystals stay small.
- Use lime zest as well as juice for a more fragrant sorbet.
- Let the sorbet soften at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping.
- A little tequila or mezcal in each portion is delicious for adults.
Storing and freezing
Freeze in a covered tub for up to 1 month. Soften for 5 minutes before serving.
Questions
Do I need an ice cream machine?
No. Freeze the mixture in a shallow tub and break it up with a fork every 45 minutes, or blend it once frozen in a food processor for a smoother result.
Is nieve the same as ice cream?
Nieve means snow in Spanish and in Mexico refers to sorbets and water based ices. Helado is the word for ice cream.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh lime gives much better flavour. Bottled juice tastes flat and sometimes metallic.
More made with agua fresca syrup
Paletas de Sandía con Chile y Limón (Watermelon Chilli Lime Ice Lollies)
GFDFEFFresas con Crema (Mexican Strawberries and Cream)
GFEFNFPiña Asada con Chile y Limón (Grilled Pineapple with Chilli and Lime)
GFDFEFEnsalada de Sandía con Queso Fresco (Watermelon and Queso Fresco Salad)
EFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.