At a bustling trade show earlier this year, an energetic woman suddenly stopped us in the middle of an aisle to introduce herself. She knew Go Dairy Free, and had co-created the perfect new product for us to trial, Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet.
We finally connected again, and she was kind enough to send us some pints to sample (yes, they ship nationwide right to your door!). Like so many fledgling food producers, Sorbabes is venturing into uncharted waters with creative new spins on a classic. They could easily work on perfecting pure fruit sorbets, but instead every flavor provides something a little unique. Nonetheless, Sorbabes keeps every cool, slightly icy bite completely dairy free.
Tasting Notes for Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet
To keep things unbiased, I solicited tasters for each flavor. The Raspberry and Lemon pints actually went to a friend’s house where six of us enjoyed it paired with wine, and they were all more than happy to offer feedback.
Tart and Juicy Lemon with Candied Zest
This crazy twist enraptured our senses. Five of us fought for the last traces to weigh in on the wonderful sweet-tart freshness and those delicious zesty bits. The wonderfully potent allure was unlike anything we’d ever tasted.
Raspberry with Dark Chocolate (pictured above)
So what about the sixth person in our group? Well, the good doctor liked the Lemon, but he raved about the Raspberry. I said I would leave the pint for him and he said, “no need, it’s already gone!” While we were busy sharing commentary on the Lemon, he polished it off! Luckily, everyone got at least a small taste and the consensus was quite good, but different. We enjoyed the very pure notes of real raspberry, and the many complimentary yet contrasting slivered bites of pure dark chocolate. One person noted that it was smart to do chocolate shards as bulky chips would have overwhelmed.
Dreamy Orange Passionfruit White Chocolate (pictured below front)
Bumping the Lemon from it’s top spot, my friend Caroline and I were smitten by this one of a kind flavor. The lively sweet-tart flavors of the sorbet shared the stage with small squares of dairy-free, rustic white chocolate. And sporadic bits of flavorful fresh fruit let us taste how wonderfully handcrafted it is. We thought the overall experience was odd in some ways, but enticing and delicious in so many others.
Pistachio with Sea Salted Caramel (pictured below back)
Caroline and I could not stop sampling this decadent creation. Sorbabes swirls generous ribbons of perfectly salted caramel sauce throughout a bold, sweet and nutty base with actual bites of whole pistachios. It’s still a sorbet with a light iciness, but more creamy and satisfying than some of the others. We both labeled this somewhat crazy concoction as an epic dessert.
Peanut Banana with Chocolate Fudge
The flavors in this pint sound very straight forward, yet neither of my good friends could guess the flavor in a blind taste test. In terms of the taste, Raka simply didn’t like it. But Caroline wasn’t sure, and reserved her vote until a few bites in. She liked those chocolate sauce ribbons, but couldn’t identify the base. Upon learning it was banana and peanut butter, she warmed to it and understood the nuances. Despite the difficulty in naming the flavor, this pint is very rich in taste and even has occasional bits of nuts for further interest. The three stars simply meld together a bit much, leaving us with an inability to single them out. Caroline and I both liked it enough to enjoy again, but it wasn’t a top pick or a flavor we would seek out.
Coffee Almond with Chocolate Bark
This flavor is for TRUE coffee fanatics only. I could feel the caffeine jolting my senses with each intense bite. As many of you know, I’m not a coffee fan, and to me this was like eating a cup of very strong coffee. Even the chocolate wafers are “mocha chips” and Caroline swore she bit into an actual coffee bean. Although she loves lattes, this dessert was simply too overwhelming.
The Facts on Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet
Certifications: I believe Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet is Certified Vegan, or at the least, labeled as vegan.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. For the most part they are soy-free, but the dark chocolate they use in a couple of the varieties may contain soy lecithin. They offer several flavors made without nuts, too. Nonetheless, check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company / product.
For More Product Information: Visit the Sorbabes website at www.sorbabes.com.
2 Comments
I picked up the passionfruit one ( before reading your review) because I was yearning for a decadent dessert. Anything white chocolate is a win in my book! My taste buds were salivating just from the aroma after opening the lid. I tasted it. Yeah, it just doesn’t work for me. It was like a candle that smells so good you could taste it, but you shouldn’t. Love the packaging. Like the creativity to offer flavors other DF brands aren’t offering, but that flavor should’ve stayed on paper.
Bummer you didn’t like that one JuneBug, but thanks for sharing your take! Being totally honest, as above, we loved the tangy freshness of it. I think they could improve on the white chocolate chunks within, but all of us were smitten with the sorbet base. All of the flavors are quite unique, so one of the others might grab you.