Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? Long before there was ever fancy microbrew beer with added chocolate flavouring, there was Guinness. I’ve always maintained that drinking a glass of Guinness is like drinking a glass of chocolate milk. Both in the slight chocolatey flavour of the beer, and the thick richness with which it goes down your gullet and settles in your stomach. So for me, coming across porters and stouts in recent years that are actually designed to taste like chocolate was not such a great stretch. But as a girl who started off her beer-drinking days by downing a great lot of Molson Canadian, a pale lager, I can understand that for some, beer and chocolate might seem like an odd combination.
Starting a month or so before St. Patrick’s Day, I saw a lot of chocolate/beer recipes popping up, particularly ones that used Guinness. I was definitely intrigued, and even bookmarked a few to adapt for low carb, but never quite got around to it. I figured the moment had passed, since St. Paddy’s day was come and gone. And then I saw THIS gorgeous image on Scoop Adventures. It looked so rich and chocolatey and as I am currently having a little love affair with my ice cream maker, I knew I had to make it. I didn’t have any porter, but I did have a bottle of stout, in the form of Guinness. Close enough!
The Results: Deeee-lishus. This really makes for a refreshing, bold, interesting sorbet. The beer has quite a presence, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s malty and yeasty and rather intense, but I loved it. So did my husband. I didn’t even bother to feed it to the kids, I knew that they would take one taste, thinking it was all chocolate, and then the rest would go to waste. It’s not really the type of treat you give a child!
In the original instructions, she said you could cut back on the beer a bit and add more water. I think you would lose something by doing so but to each his own. If you freeze it for longer than a few hours, it will get quite hard, but a little time in the fridge (half an hour to an hour) and it will soften nicely.
The beer makes it REALLY melty at room temperature, so my pictures were done in haste. If you look closely, you can see me and my camera in the reflection of the spoon. Whoops! I simply didn’t have time to pay attention to those little details, but duly noted that a shiny spoon in a bright window equals seeing a funny, distorted reflection of myself.
Chocolate Stout Sorbet
1 ½ cups water
¼ cup granulated erythritol
¾ cup cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 oz high % cacao chocolate (I used 90%), finely chopped
¾ cup stout
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon stevia extract
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together water, erythritol, cocoa powder and salt. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly and boil for 45 seconds.
Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate. Add vanilla, stevia and beer and stir to combine. Transfer to a blender and blend for 15 seconds. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Give mixture one final quick blend to incorporate (I refrigerated it in my blender container so I could just pop it back on the blender base). Transfer to an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s direction. Then transfer to an air tight container, press plastic wrap flush to the surface, and chill for several more hours, or until firm but not hard.
Makes 8 servings. Each serving has a total of 16g of carbs and 3.75g of fiber, but only 10g of carbs if you subtract erythritol. Total net carbs is 6.25g.
Claudie says
I have to admit that while I love chocolate, I don't really like beer 😀 (I know – there aren't many like me!) However, I would absolutely test your recipe as I'm very curious of the result 🙂
Matthew "mmwine" Horbund says
I'll have to google and find:
1/4 cup granulated erythritol
but it sounds awesome otherwise 🙂
Claire Gallam says
I love all of these healthy and light recipes on your site 🙂 Perfect for summer and swimsuit season!
Jennifer says
Nope, I cannot imagine this. My DH loves Guiness. I can't stand it, but I do like Miller Light or Coors Light. Shh!
Cookin' Canuck says
We really like stouts that have a slight chocolate taste to them, so I can imagine how good this sorbet would be.
Elle says
A girl after my own heart! <3
Roxana GreenGirl says
I'm one of those that didn't raise hands form the first question, don't drink alcohol but I'm intrigued by the beer in this chocolate goodness. Looks so creamy and tempting …
Mike@ The Culinary Lens says
You know I bookmarked this and kept meaning to come back to it and finally got here tonight.
I grew up in Dublin not terribly close to the Guinness brewery but on certain days the wind would carry the smell of the roasting hops and trust me it certainly had a chocolate quality to it.
I love this recipe and am interested to see what the taste like
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
I'm not a beer drinker but my husband would be raising both hands. My kids and I are big chocolate ice cream fan. This sorbet looks delicious and I LOVE your photos!
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
Yes Please! this is a favorite combo on mine and is going on the to do list!
Kate@Diethood says
That looks soooo creamy and so chocolatey…. and it needs to be mine! What a fantastic summer treat. Beautiful job!
Belinda @zomppa says
Both hands raised and outreached for some!
Tes says
Ohhh what a luscious sorbet! I need a scoop, please 🙂
The Harried Cook says
Very interesting recipe 🙂 And I wouldn't have noticed your reflection if you hadn't mentioned it! The sorbet looks very rich & tasty… I am honestly not a big fan of beer, but I know a few people who may appreciate this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Erin says
Ok, you have me interested! I was one of the ones who wasn't sure what to do with my hand, now I want to taste!!!
Island Vittles says
Your pics are great! I thought about making chocolate gelato today…but it didn't happen. After drooling over your sorbet tonight, it'll get done tomorrow for sure. Thanks for the inspiration! theresa
Tiffany says
My hands are raised! … And my feet are raised to symbolize wanting two bowls of this sorbet! YUM!
Cara says
oh, wow 🙂 I haven't been using my ice cream maker nearly enough – that will have to change!
scratch-made wife says
Woo hoo! My hands are up! You are a lady after my heart. And since it has been so dang hot here, you're really making me want to try this dish!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
not cool… you're making me want choc ice cream now. Buzzed earlier for you btw 🙂