Sorbet is dairy-free because unlike sherbet it does not contain any milk and is instead made from a mixture of water and fruit juice or water and fruit puree with added sugar. It also isn’t made with any eggs or cream. Because of this, it can be enjoyed by those who are lactose-free. Although it is generally a dairy-free product, it isn’t always vegan-friendly because in some instances it may be flavored with honey.
Sherbet on the other hand is not dairy-free because the key difference between both types of frozen dessert can be identified through the ingredients that they are made from. Whereas sorbet is made from water and fruit juice, sherbet contains cream or milk to give it a thicker and richer texture that very much resembles that of ice cream.