Black Grape and Cognac Sorbet ~ a bold healthy and refreshing dessert made with minimal sugar and a little kick of booze to keep it all interesting.
I found these Black Emerald seedless grapes at last week’s farmer’s market. From now through the beginning of fall the grapes will be incredible, so definitely plan to use them in as many ways as you can before they’re gone.
Lots of varieties are now being grown seedless, but the good news is that, for this sorbet, it doesn’t matter whether your grapes have seeds or not because you’ll be straining the puree anyway. And honestly, sometimes the older varieties with seeds have the best flavor; give them a taste test before making your choice. I’ve used brown sugar and cognac to accent and emphasize the flavor of these beauties.
This is the kind of sorbet that you’ll want to serve in smaller portions after a nice summer meal. It’s a good thing it’s suited to small portions, because that pound of grapes shrinks to less than 2 cups after you’ve pureed and strained them. That’s ok, though, because this is more intensely flavored and satisfying than most sorbets. It has some substance to it, and a slight kick from the alcohol, so a little goes a long way.
Play up the grape/wine connection by serving this in wine glasses, garnished with some mint leaves and a few reserved grapes.
Black Grape and Cognac Sorbet
Ingredients
Instructions
20 Comments
Patti
August 2, 2015 at 4:22 pmI am trying this sorbet. I wiil sub agave for brown sugar for lower glycemic. Sounds super delish!
Dom
July 27, 2013 at 3:33 ammust have been sleeping for the past few days… love this combo for ice-cream… i’ve FINALLY succumbed and popped my ice-cream maker bowl into the freezer… I think the cognac must be so lovely with the grape, I can imagine this on a hot summers evening after a large meal, just to help cleanse the palate before cheese… oooh yes PLEASE!
Kitchen Belleicious
July 24, 2013 at 12:51 pmi love the new site my friend and this sorbet is just drawing me in and screaming make me. I love the rich color and the flavor of the grape and cognac together is exciting!
Kim Williams
July 23, 2013 at 8:19 pmHey Sue
I am so loving your new web site, Woodenspoons Kitchen did an amazing job and it is really user friendly and I found the “print key” right away. I have
turned on a few of my friends who also love to cook to your blog and they are loving it as well. Can’t wait to see more of your recipes and also I might add your pictures continuously
make me drool so I am now wearing a dribble bib. LOL.
Cheers
Kim
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:18 amThanks, Kim, I am so glad to have the print function, at least for recipes going forward. I may try to transfer all the rest of the recipes to ziplist, too, but that may take some time! Glad you like the new site.
Sulpicia
July 23, 2013 at 5:57 pmThe site looks great. Congrats!
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:31 amThanks, now I have to get back to cooking!
thyme (sarah)
July 23, 2013 at 3:39 pmThe site looks gorgeous..very fresh and clean with big bold photos. The sorbet is a great color and I can imagine the flavors are rich and very grownup!
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:36 amThanks, Sarah, they did do a really nice job on the site. As for the sorbet, there are so many more fruits, etc. try try, I don’t think I’ll be putting my ice cream maker away this winter.
The Café Sucré Farine
July 23, 2013 at 2:07 pmWOW! Love your new site Sue. It’s just beautiful, so classy and simple yet elegant. It just fits you to a tee! This sorbet looks so refreshing, love the vibrant color, what a great recipe for your debut!
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:37 amThanks Chris, now I have to stop fiddling with all the new buttons and get back into the kitchen.
Cathy
July 23, 2013 at 11:39 amI love the new look of your site- it’s so fun to browse the recipes by thumbnail. Congratulations!
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:38 amI love the thumbnails, too!
hungry dog
July 23, 2013 at 10:32 amLove the new look–it’s gorgeous. As is the sorbet!
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:43 amI’m glad you like it, there were so many ways to go with it, it was mind boggling.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
July 23, 2013 at 9:35 amOh Sue – Oh wow! I LOVE your new look. I LOVE your photo – and I LOVE this recipe! So glad the sorbet worked for you. This is just great – congratulations on this amazing transformation! Is that enough exclamation points???!!!!??? You rock 🙂
Sue
July 24, 2013 at 7:45 amThanks Tricia, it involved a surprising amount of work, and I’m glad it’s done — now I get to play!
Sue
July 23, 2013 at 8:11 amThanks Mary—it’s like moving into a new house!
Mary
July 23, 2013 at 6:18 amSue!!! I absolutely LOVE the new site. I’m in awe. It looks fantastic. The recipe index is beautiful and I’ve already gotten lost in it!