Sgroppino / Sorbetto
A refreshing, bubbly and creamy cocktail ∙ Blend ∙ 4 min ∙ 7% ABV ∙
The Sgroppino, or Sorbetto, is an Italian frozen dessert cocktail blending lemon sorbet with Prosecco, vodka, and a touch of cream.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Blend all ingredients without additional ice: Vodka 15 mlSingle cream/half-and-half 10 mlProsecco extra dry 45 mlLemon sorbet 2 scoops
- Serve in the chilled glass
- Garnish with freshly grated lemon zest
Tips
- Use a well-frozen sorbet straight from the freezer; a half-melted scoop thins the blend and dulls the fizz.
History
The Sgroppino traces to the Veneto region of Italy, specifically Venice, where a version is said to date as far back as the 16th century. Its name comes from the Venetian dialect word sgroppare (or the local sgropin), meaning to untie or loosen a knot, a reference to its role in loosening the stomach after a heavy meal. In its early form it was a simple mix of lemon, sugar, and ice served to Venetian aristocracy as a digestivo between courses of a rich banquet, rather than a drink in the modern cocktail sense.
Over time the recipe evolved into the version known today, in which lemon sorbet is whipped together with Prosecco and vodka, sometimes softened with a splash of milk or cream. This modern formula, tied to the spread of Prosecco itself, turned the old digestive remedy into a fashionable after-dinner drink and eventually an internationally served cocktail, still closely associated with Venice and the wider Veneto.
FAQ
What is a Sgroppino?
An Italian frozen cocktail, also called a Sorbetto: lemon sorbet blended with Prosecco, a splash of vodka, and a little cream. It comes out semi-frozen and fizzy, closer to a dessert than a mixed drink.
How do you make a Sgroppino?
Chill a flute, then blend two scoops of lemon sorbet with 45 ml extra-dry Prosecco, 15 ml vodka, and 10 ml cream. Add no ice; the sorbet itself chills and thickens the drink. Pour into the flute and garnish with freshly grated lemon zest.
What alcohol is used in a Sgroppino?
Prosecco extra dry and a splash of vodka.
