Sgroppino

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

For the perfect after-dinner tipple, try the lemon sorbet, vodka and Prosecco crafted cocktail, the Sgroppino.

You can feel it in the air… Summer is just around the corner. Especially here in Los Angeles. I walked around the neighborhood today, feeling pretty good. The sky was a perfect royal blue, the Dodgers won their opening season game, and the weather was absolutely perfect. It’s Friday, so as I strolled, my thoughts drifted toward what I would get on my pizza, what movie I will end up watching and, most importantly, what cocktail would be the best way to celebrate this loveliest of days.

Then I discovered today’s recipe. The Sgroppino caught my attention right away with its distinct and regal-sounding name. And it turned out to be as much fun to drink as it was to say. A cold and refreshing combination of chilled vodka and lemon sorbet, topped with a bubbly Prosecco, the Sgroppino has now become my new obsession. I declared it to be my official cocktail for the upcoming summer, out loud, too. Nobody heard it, but it doesn’t matter. I mean business.

This delicious drink has its origins in Renaissance-era Venice, where it was served to cleanse the palate and also act as a digestif in between courses, or after a meal. The mixture’s name is even derived from this, with sgropìn being a Venetian word for “untie” or “loosen”, referencing the cocktail’s purpose of “untying the knot” of a well-fed stomach.

Before or after eating, the Sgroppino is a crisp, citrusy, and bubbly beverage that will help create some beautiful memories during the hot and sunny season. Relish every sip.

What Is Sorbet?

Recently, I fell down a rabbit hole on YouTube of people flying ridiculously opulent first-class accommodations, and the meals and cocktails they were served were simply mouthwatering. In between every dish, they had a little scoop of sorbet to cleanse the palate. This is also why it is used in the Sgroppino. But is sorbet an ice cream, or gelato or a sherbet of some kind? No. Sorbet is simply fruit purée, water and sugar, and its cold, smooth texture is gained by churning and freezing the mixture together. You can also buy some at your local grocery store.

What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Sgroppino?

You can go for a citron vodka to give your tipple a stronger, citrus flavor. Try out an unflavored version first, and let the sorbet do some of the lifting in that regard. You’ll see how balanced every sip is, with the effervescence from the Prosecco tickling your nose in a delightful way.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Chill a champagne flute, goblet or a cocktail coupe in the freezer for up to thirty minutes. This will help keep your drink extra cold, especially on those crucial first sips. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves and a lemon wedge on the glass’s rim.

CAN YOU USE OTHER FLAVORS OF SORBET?

While the Sgroppino really works best with a lemon sorbet, you can absolutely play around and experiment with other varieties and flavors.

Similar Cocktails To The Sgroppino

It’s a perfect evening. The sun is still low in the sky, licking the clouds with a gentle fire, painting the oncoming evening with streaks of red and orange. You’ve had a wonderful meal. Three, maybe even four courses. Heck, you’re so full you can’t remember. It might be time for a digestif, something close to the Sgroppino to loosen that full gut and cleanse your palate before the next round of gourmet dishes arrives. But what to have? Here are a few helpful options.

• Prosecco Sorbet Cocktail – A large-batch recipe destined to please the crowd.
• Limoncello Lemon Drop – A tart and refreshing after-dinner drink.
• Brandy Alexander – A perfect post-meal dessert cocktail, which John Lennon referred to as a milkshake.
• Grasshopper – This creamy and minty libation is another popular digestif.