Start by making a simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar, and heat gently over medium heat. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves into the water which only takes a few minutes. Once it’s fully dissolved, take the pan off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Next, pour your fresh orange juice into a mixing bowl. Add the cooled sugar syrup and stir everything together. If you're using lemon juice, this is the time to mix that in too—it gives the sorbet a little extra zing and helps bring out the natural brightness of the oranges.
Now, pour the mixture into a shallow dish or freezer-safe container. Place it in the freezer and let it chill for about an hour. After that first hour, take it out and use a fork to gently scrape and stir the frozen mixture. This helps break up the ice crystals and gives your homemade orange sorbet that soft, fluffy texture. Repeat the scraping process every 30 minutes for another 2 to 3 hours, or until your sorbet is fully frozen and still scoopable.
Once it’s ready, scoop the orange sorbet into bowls or cups and serve immediately. Enjoy!