This adds an elegant touch to a dinner party when served between courses to cleanse the palate. It can also be used as a light refreshing dessert.

3 cups water
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup fresh lime juice (4 large or 6 medium limes)
Lime wedges to garnish (optional)

Combine water with sugar and corn syrup in heavy saucepan. Stir over high heat to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to moderate temperature and let boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature.

Stir in lime juice. Pour into metal mixing bowl and put in freeze until firm throughout. Place beaters in freezer to chill.

Remove lime mixture from freezer. Break it up with wooden spoon. Beat on low speed until free of lumps. Return to freezer until firm again. Re-beat with chilled beaters.

The sorbet will keep in the freezer at a smooth consistency for weeks. Lemon juice can be substituted for lime juice and green food coloring can be added. The clear, clean look of the lime sorbet without coloring with a garnish of lime wedges is beautiful.

Yields 4 to 6 servings.