In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved. This will create a simple syrup. Once dissolved, remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
While the syrup is cooling, rinse the fresh raspberries thoroughly under cold water. Place the cleaned raspberries into a blender or food processor and blend until a smooth puree forms. For an ultra-smooth texture, strain the raspberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds, if desired.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the raspberry puree with the freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Once the simple syrup has cooled to room temperature, add it to the raspberry-lemon mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if needed.
Pour the combined mixture into a shallow dish (such as a baking dish) or a sorbet maker. If using a shallow dish, place it in the freezer. Stir the mixture every 30 minutes to break up any forming ice crystals. Continue this process for about 3-4 hours, or until the sorbet achieves a firm yet scoopable consistency.
If using a sorbet maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning time, which typically takes about 20-30 minutes to reach the desired texture.
Once your sorbet is smooth and firm, transfer it to an airtight container. Freeze for at least 1 hour before serving to ensure it's nicely chilled and ready to enjoy.
Notes
Serve in chilled bowls or glasses, garnished with mint or raspberries.