Cooling Desserts-Sorbets & Popsicles Made with Balsamic Vinegar

Cooling Desserts in Warm Weather Are So Yummy!

 

I was sitting out on my back deck and licking a delicious but tart popsicle this afternoon in our first days of warmer weather a few weeks ago when I thought that balsamic vinegar would be a great ingredient for sorbets and popsicles-that sort of tart and sweet combo that is so thirst-quenching. So, I started thinking of what kinds of balsamic vinegar would taste naturally yummy with fruit for either sorbets or popsicles and I came up with some great recipes to wow your friends, family, or dinner guests when the nights are warmer.

 

Balsamic Vinegar Makes Sweets Thirst-Quenching

 

I started thinking about all the fruits that are plentiful in summer, such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries-all of these fruits go so well with balsamic vinegar or fruit-infused dark balsamic vinegar. Then I started thinking of a lighter version of sorbet or popsicles that would utilize white balsamic vinegar and it opens up the options to a whole range of lighter summer fruit, such as peaches, cantaloupes, watermelon, lemons, and even grapefruits can be used for both sorbets and popsicles.

 

So Many Great Recipes

 

There are so many great recipes to choose from for balsamic vinegar sorbets which can be adapted to popsicles too. I was looking for easy recipes that didn’t necessitate heating up the kitchen with cooking the ingredients. There are recipes that use sugar to sweeten the mixture, but also honey and agave is used for adding that sweet touch to sorbet recipes.

 

Use Up Your Bounty of Summer Fruit

 

So, let’s start with some great berry sorbets that can also be used to fill popsicle forms. The recipe below can be used for strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries:

 

Berry or Mixed Berries Sorbet or Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of your favorite berries or berry mixture
• 1 cup fine sugar or substitute honey, figure that honey is sweeter than sugar so reduce your amount by about a 1/4 cup, you can always add more
• 2-3 tablespoons dark balsamic vinegar or dark fruit infused vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

Directions:

• Clean your berries or berry mixture
• Quarter strawberries, other berries may be left whole.
• Place your berries, 1/2 cup of sugar or honey, balsamic vinegar and vanilla in a bowl and mash with a potato masher
• Scoop the ingredients into a blender in batches, if need be, and blend on the highest speed.
• Taste and add additional sugar or honey as needed or more balsamic vinegar to taste.
• Remember you can always add more sweetener or vinegar but it’s hard to compensate after the fact if your mixture is too sweet or too tart, start in moderation and add till the mixture tastes right to you.
• Freeze in an automatic ice cream maker using the manufacturer’s directions or use your blender at the highest speed and then pop into the freezer for about 2 hours in a plastic lidded container.
• If making popsicles, you will have enough for at least 12 popsicles and maybe some leftovers for sorbet. Remember when filling your popsicle forms to leave a gap at the top for the mixture to expand, usually only filling 7/8 full.

 

 

Light Fruit Sorbet or Popsicles

 

You will start to learn after reading through these recipes that just about any summer fruit can be used for sorbet or popsicles. You can also make additions to these recipes of pepper, liquor such as kalua, champagne, or spices such as rosemary or basil, even sea salt, the combinations of ingredients that make for tasty sorbet, or popsicles is really only limited to your imagination.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of light fruit, such as lemons, grapefruits, peaches, cantaloupes, or watermelon
• 1 cup fine sugar or substitute honey, figure that honey is sweeter than sugar so reduce your amount by about a 1/4 cup, you can always add more
• 2-3 tablespoons light balsamic vinegar or light fruit infused vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

Directions:

• Clean your fruit or fruit mixture.
• Slice your fruit into 1/8 slices for easier mashing.
• Place your fruit, 1/2 cup of sugar or honey, balsamic vinegar and vanilla in a bowl and mash with a potato masher.
• Scoop the ingredients into a blender in batches, if need be, and blend on the highest speed.
• Taste and add additional sugar or honey as needed or more balsamic vinegar to taste.
• Remember you can always add more sweetener or vinegar but it’s hard to compensate after the fact if your mixture is too sweet or too tart, start in moderation and add till the mixture tastes right to you.
• Freeze in an automatic ice cream maker using the manufacturer’s directions or use your blender at the highest speed and then pop into the freezer for about 2 hours in a plastic lidded container.
• If making popsicles, you will have enough for at least 12 popsicles and maybe some leftovers for sorbet. Remember when filling your popsicle forms to leave a gap at the top for the mixture to expand, usually only filling 7/8 full.

Kalua & Coffee Popsicles

 

Ok, for the fun stuff for adult dessert or afternoon cooler on a hot day, absolutely love these popsicles! They are not overly sweet and taste so good!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups cream, half and half, almond milk, whole milk, or oat milk
• 1 1/3 cups your favorite strongly brewed coffee
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup Kalua depending on how intoxicating you want your popsicles
• 2-3 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or stevia-this is optional and I would add after I tasted the mixture for sweetness
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt-just trust me here, it brings out the flavors a lot like the pepper does in our fruit sorbets
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients in a blender and whisk on highest speed till thoroughly blended.
• Pour into popsicles mold 7/8 full, allowing for expansion with freezing.
• Freeze overnight is best but at least 4-6 hours depending on your freezer.

 

Wishing you a sweet beginning to summer and a very happy and safe Fourth of July. Be sure to stock up on your favorite vinegar to use in your salads, as a marinade, or for sorbet or popsicle recipes. Speaking of summer, if you would like to leave your housecleaning to Crystal Clear Home, so you can enjoy your summer that much more! give us a call at 707-827-3316 or fill out our Free Estimate form and one of cleaning professionals will be in touch promptly.