Creamy Strawberry Hibiscus Sorbet

Creamy Strawberry Hibiscus Sorbet is inspired by the soft creamy sorbettos found in Italian gelaterias. The secret to keeping it lusciously soft and scoopable is a simple sorbet syrup added to the strawberries. A tiny bit of starch keeps the liquids from becoming overly icy and hard in the freezer. The result is an intensely fruity and creamy sorbet – Italian summer in a scoop!

Ingredients

SORBET SYRUP

180g water
180g sugar
6g tapioca starch
41g light organic corn syrup

SORBET

410g very ripe strawberries hulled (almost 1lb)
45g water
2 TBS dried hibiscus
sorbet syrup (see above)

Instructions

PREP

To make the sorbet syrup, combine water with the sugar, tapioca starch, and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium to medium-high heat.

Stir continuously for about 8-11 minutes until the mixture just starts to boil (do not allow it to come to a full boil) Once the texture of the syrup becomes thicker and viscous immediately take it off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours to a maximum of 24 hours.

MIX

Combine the water and hibiscus over medium heat. As soon as it starts to simmer remove from heat and let the hibiscus steep for 10-20 minutes (the longer it sits the more intense the flavor) Strain out the hibiscus. The hibiscus water can be made in advance and refrigerated.

Puree the strawberries in a blender until smooth. Add in the sorbet syrup and hibiscus water then blend until mixed.

PROCESS

Process in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The sorbet is finished when it reaches the consistency of soft-serve ice cream (about 20-30 minutes in most machines)

Scoop into a container, place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on the surface and freeze until firm (2-4 hours minimum)

CREAMY STRAWBERRY HIBISCUS SORBET