DC-area end of summer/early autumn ice cream social

posted July 6, 2016 8:16 AM | |

Sun September 25 at 2:00 PM, EvaDestruction's place

2724 Ontario Rd NW, Washington, DC, USA (Map & Directions)

I urge all DC ice cream makers to take this as the challenge/callout that it is, and bring your A game so I can enjoy/judge you.

I like savorier ice creams, FYI.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 9:45 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

YES PLEASE
posted by everybody had matching towels at 9:48 AM on July 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

I seriously just had lunch with thrillingly talented baker C'est la D.C. and talked about this post and we're already plotting some ice cream sandwiches.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 9:51 AM on July 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

YES
posted by capricorn at 10:59 AM on July 6, 2016

Also yeah, late September is probably best for me too because I'm moving in August and will also be swamped with work, but I can be pretty flexible. I'm definitely out the weekend of October 1-2 and probably a few days on each side but should otherwise pretty much be around. And I can bring some Lactaid to share :P
posted by capricorn at 11:02 AM on July 6, 2016

This is relevant to my interests.

I have no ice cream making chops, but I can bake okay and I would be honored to act judge. (Bribes in this case should come in the form of more ice cream.)
posted by anotherpanacea at 3:25 AM on July 7, 2016

I can make sauces and bake, and I have access to an experienced homemade ice cream maker, so let's do this. I've got conflicts the last two Saturdays of September, but Sundays are good.

I may also be able to host - if we're going for late September, we should be past the point where lack of A/C makes parties an unpleasant prospect.
posted by EvaDestruction at 4:41 AM on July 7, 2016

Yes, this sounds great!
posted by aaanastasia at 5:25 AM on July 7, 2016

Ooh, this sounds good! We're always good for something mid-morning/afternoon on a weekend.
posted by whitewall at 6:49 AM on July 7, 2016

... this sounds awesome!
posted by EmilyClimbs at 7:48 AM on July 7, 2016

I mean, I'm posting here because I am seriously considering driving from North Carolina for this, so take that as a sign that you have done a Good Thing, duffel. Not sure I can keep my signature Dark Chocolate Orange cold enough for a long car drive, but we will see...
posted by Rock Steady at 9:02 AM on July 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

I would love to do this. I no longer have an ice-cream maker which makes me sad, but can bring fixings and live vicariously through the rest of you.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 7:22 PM on July 7, 2016

I'm all about this! It sounds like Sept 25th might be a possibility? I made a goal to use our ice cream maker 3 times this summer and it hasn't happened yet so this is a great excuse to get moving.
posted by brilliantine at 8:34 AM on July 8, 2016

OMG! I would love to come and share ice cream!
posted by gone2croatan at 12:29 PM on July 8, 2016

yes!
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 9:06 PM on July 11, 2016

This proposal has forced me to end my post-birth Metafilter silence because it is so excellent.

I really like everybody had matching towels/C'est la D.C.'s ice cream sandwich idea. I'm okay at baking and GREAT at watching Food Network so if an ice cream maker would like to join forces let me know (assuming I actually do have time which right now it seems like I won't but this baby can't stay five days old forever, right?). I'm not proposing a competition because I've eating C'est la D.C.'s food before and I'm too competitive and wily to put myself in that position.

Yay! Thanks so much for making this post, duffell!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:13 PM on July 12, 2016 [4 favorites]

I also make icecream, am totally down.
posted by tooloudinhere at 3:21 PM on July 13, 2016

I'm new to the IRL meetup scene, but I'm interested!
posted by Karaage at 1:44 PM on July 15, 2016

This sounds like a lot of fun! I don't have an ice cream maker, but I have a Pinterest board full of dessert recipes I want to try!
posted by jet_pack_in_a_can at 7:03 AM on July 17, 2016

HEY OKAY YAY! It's been like a month since I posted this, and I'm sorry for not posting til now. May I suggest the afternoon of Sunday, September 25? Still warm enough for ice cream, but not hot enough for it to become soup en route!

EvaDestruction, given the high number of replies, would you still be up for hosting? If not, that's fine, and I welcome suggestions from the group!

So, yeah. The rest of y'all, let me know if 9/25 presents any major challenges. I doubt any date will be perfect for *everyone*, but hopefully this works for most of us.

Then we can get planning on logistics and talk flavors! YAY ICE CREAM YAY
posted by duffell at 7:40 PM on August 4, 2016

Checking on hosting - need to coordinate with my housemate.
posted by EvaDestruction at 12:48 PM on August 5, 2016

The 25th works for me. I can bring a small quantity of Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream, Chipotle-added Version, for new-daddy Bulgaroktonos.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 4:54 PM on August 5, 2016

25th works for us! So glad we are doing this thing!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 1:57 PM on August 7, 2016

25th would work for us! Yaaaaaay
posted by brilliantine at 5:59 PM on August 10, 2016

I can host on the 25th (and spent another ice cream social today plotting potential boozy ice cream toppings).
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:52 PM on August 14, 2016

Awesome! EvaDestruction, thank you so much.

Now let's get to talking/bragging/plotting/squeeing about all of the awesome ice cream, toppings, and accoutrements we will be bringing and/or consuming! Let the anticipatory salivation commence!
posted by duffell at 10:41 PM on August 15, 2016

Just moved to DC and have never been to an IRL event before but this sounds great! I will bring lots of toppings.
posted by armadillo1224 at 1:06 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]

Now let's get to talking/bragging/plotting/squeeing

C'est la D.C. suggested a campari sorbet, which I am testing this week.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:13 PM on August 23, 2016 [2 favorites]

25th works for me! I've made three ice creams so far this summer and so far none have failed me, so now to plot ...
posted by tooloudinhere at 6:14 PM on August 31, 2016

This is gonna be so delicious. Just wanted to note for folks, if you missed the update - address on the event is near me, but please MeMail me for specifics.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:51 AM on September 1, 2016

I ended up making a negroni sorbet btw, it was spectacular, I will make it again. I also made a Frank's Red Hot & bleu cheese ice cream this weekend that tasted way better than it sounds, so I may make that again too ("tastes way better than it sounds" is kind of my wheelhouse).
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:27 AM on September 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

The countdown to frozen dessert deliciousness is on! A reminder: if you are planning to come on the 25th, MeMail me for the address. If you don't do MeMail, you can email me: threemartinidiva on Gmail.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:14 AM on September 16, 2016

I will be coming from another event, so I can't bring anything frozen, but I will be sure to procure some kind of toppings.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 6:33 AM on September 17, 2016

*whew* Due to the likelihood of our baby interrupting my ice-cream-making groove in the week ahead, I went ahead and got it all done tonight!

Blueberry & star anise sorbet (I call it blue licorice. There's a good chance I'm the only person there who will like it)
Coconut mocha (vegan! made with coconut milk!)
Maple & mint leaf (kind of weird! very tasty!)
Plus a super-secret frozen dessert! SUPER. SECRET.

EvaDestruction, I hope you have a lot of room in your freezer... I'll bring an ice-packed cooler, and hopefully I'm not the only one!

Also thinking I might bring some takeout containers (my neighborhood grocery store sells me their takeout soup containers for cheap, they're perfect for ice cream) in case anyone wants to swap flavors for take-home.
posted by duffell at 6:33 PM on September 18, 2016 [1 favorite]

We have these jars of brandied peaches we made from the last summer farm market peaches but I'm not sure you want them.
posted by zennie at 6:39 PM on September 19, 2016

I understand all those words individually but they do not make sense together like that.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:27 PM on September 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

We do not have an over-full freezer, duffel, so I think we'll be OK there. And I'm not making ice cream (I'm thinking brownies and a couple flavors of whipped cream, and a friend is making bourbon caramel sauce), so I won't be taking up much freezer space myself.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:18 AM on September 20, 2016 [1 favorite]

Coming into this pretty last but as a new DC resident, I'll do my best to make it!

No way I'm getting my act together enough to make more than one flavor, though. Y'all are superheros.
posted by R a c h e l at 11:49 AM on September 21, 2016

The only reason I'm able to attempt such a thing is that we have 3 ice cream machines and 9 churning canisters. It's a little bit ridiculous. Making multiple flavors is my way of justifying all that used counter space.
posted by duffell at 3:39 PM on September 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'm not making ice cream but I am going to try to make a pear-walnut cookie to pair with duffell's Maple & Mint Leaf. This is more an opportunity for me to futz around in the kitchen trying nonsense than anything else but I've got some ideas and I'm really hoping to make a delicious cookie that tastes strongly of pear. That said, please don't get your hopes up as experiments are in the early stages (i.e. I've bought some pears and put them in a bag to ripen).
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:20 AM on September 23, 2016 [1 favorite]

I read that as "a delicious cookie that tastes strongly of fear" and wondered what had gotten into you.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:15 AM on September 23, 2016 [2 favorites]

A fear-flavored cookie sounds like an ambitious, though perhaps not delicious, baking experiment.

Just a reminder, folks, if you think you might make it on Sunday, MeMail or email me for the address.
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:11 AM on September 23, 2016

Can anyone make ennui cookies or rage brownies before Sunday?
posted by duffell at 3:14 PM on September 23, 2016

How about you use one of your extra canisters for Frosty Dismissal.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:27 PM on September 23, 2016

Weirdly, I think I could make rage brownies; I think they'd be VERY dark chocolate, super fudgy, with either almonds or pretzel sticks and for some reason there'd be mini-marshmallows baked into them. I don't know why, it doesn't make sense to me either, but when I envision these rage brownies the marshmallows are definitely there.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 4:49 PM on September 23, 2016

What's parking like in your neighborhood, EvaDestruction?
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:52 PM on September 24, 2016

Not great, although Sunday afternoon should be less bad than an evening. There is a parking garage on 18th St, but I think it's pretty expensive.
posted by EvaDestruction at 3:21 PM on September 24, 2016

Currently making the cinnamon swirl for our offering!
posted by brilliantine at 4:59 PM on September 24, 2016

Doctornecessiter and I will be there with raspberries and cream ice cream, negroni sorbet, red hot & bleu cheese ice cream, and a cardamom & chambord hot fudge.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 9:01 PM on September 24, 2016

Didn't you go to a state fair today? How are you so amazing?
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 1:59 AM on September 25, 2016

Hey folks, I am really, really really sorry but I've been feeling off all morning and think I need to go to urgent care. I was hoping it would pass, but it's not.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:05 AM on September 25, 2016

Oh noooooo, that's awful. I hope you feel better soon.

I wish I could take over hosting, but my apartment is tiny. There is a huge (semi-secret) park by my apartment (Crispus Attucks Park) that would maybe be a chill ice cream hangout location on a Sunday if folks are okay with being outside for ice cream eating and still want to get together.
posted by aaanastasia at 10:14 AM on September 25, 2016

We can't host but would also be happy to go to another location (the more Metro accessible the better). Let's see if there's a consensus!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:24 AM on September 25, 2016

P.S. I agree somewhere outside sounds nice.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:26 AM on September 25, 2016

Feel better, EvaDestruction! I think my apartment is also too small to host but would be happy to meet up with folks at a park or similar.
posted by capricorn at 10:28 AM on September 25, 2016

For transportation, if we want to do Crispus Attucks Park -- it is about 6 blocks from the Shaw metro on yellow/green (and I think about 8 from NoMa on red, but not 100% sure).
posted by aaanastasia at 10:34 AM on September 25, 2016

I think Crispus Attucks Park sounds good -- looks like it's less than a mile from both the green and red lines so still pretty convenient. Do people want to meet there? I can grab some disposable bowls and spoons. If at least three people who aren't me and the baby say yes to this plan I will head out!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:34 AM on September 25, 2016

Our neighborhood park (General Getty) is 5-10 minutes walk from the Metro, but we're out in Silver Spring so don't know if that's too far for folks.
posted by EmilyClimbs at 10:36 AM on September 25, 2016

We're coming from VA so either one is doable.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:39 AM on September 25, 2016

Or Crispus Attucks works!
posted by EmilyClimbs at 10:40 AM on September 25, 2016

Oh no, I hope you feel better EvaDestruction!

Crispus Attucks park sounds good to me.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:40 AM on September 25, 2016

Screw it I'm heading over to Crispus Attucks Park (23 U Street) and if it ends up being just the baby and me eating a bag of pear walnut cookies then that's on everyone else for not coming. Hopefully see some of you soon! I will be the woman in a purple shirt with a baby in an octopus onesie.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:40 AM on September 25, 2016

Also, feel better soon, Ms. Destruction!
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:41 AM on September 25, 2016

The park's page says it's private?
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:42 AM on September 25, 2016

I will be there too! Will eat a cookie!

Johnny Wallflower -- it's private in that it is not owned by DC or Federal, but it is a private public space, if that makes sense.
posted by aaanastasia at 10:43 AM on September 25, 2016

Requests for Park Use

I guess we can scooch down and look like we're fewer than 20 people.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:44 AM on September 25, 2016

Waiting for baked goods to come out of the oven but then I will head over.
posted by capricorn at 10:44 AM on September 25, 2016

Looks like there aren't bubblers so probably good to bring a water bottle if you have one.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:47 AM on September 25, 2016

Thanks, all. Very sorry for the last-minute scramble to change plans and for missing seeing everyone.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:54 AM on September 25, 2016

You get full marks anyway 😘
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:57 AM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

We are here (sans baby) with aaanastasia. We're at the west end of the park, which if you don't know, is in the alley between V and U. Join us!

Feel better, Eva D!
posted by duffell at 11:09 AM on September 25, 2016

How long are you going to be there?
posted by zennie at 11:59 AM on September 25, 2016

At least another hour!
posted by aaanastasia at 12:04 PM on September 25, 2016

I am unfortunately working on a migraine but look out for mr. zennie
posted by zennie at 12:21 PM on September 25, 2016

So good to see everyone (and try all of your delicious foods)!
posted by capricorn at 2:08 PM on September 25, 2016

We had a great time. Would love to do this again. We're happy to host future ice cream shenanigans, though we're in Rockville (walkable from Metro, but still, it's not central for most people).

Ice cream recipes to follow!
posted by duffell at 2:41 PM on September 25, 2016

Recipes below... after many years of trial and error (and expense!) I've found a number of ways to cut corners on expense and effort without sacrificing taste, e.g., using frozen fruits instead of fresh in the case of certain fruits. That helps me when I want to spend a little more money on ingredients that do make a difference in taste!

Blue Licorice Sorbet (vegan)
12 oz frozen blueberries
2 tbsp rum
6 tbsp agave syrup
1/2 c water infused with star anise (basically throw a bunch of star anise into some water in a saucepan and simmer for a while until it's good n'...infused)
1 tbsp lemon juice
Directions: Throw everything into a blender. Blend. Churn in the ice cream maker. DONE.
Notes: This is my original recipe, but the stuff I brought today went off the rails a bit because I had no rum, no agave, and the blueberries I had were more bitter than usual. You can substitute and mess with a lot of this stuff and it's still fine.

Mint Maple Ice Cream
2 c heavy cream
1 c whole milk
4 large egg yolks
1 c mint leaves, rinsed and lightly packed
3/4 c + 2 tbsp maple syrup
Pinch salt (1/8 tsp-ish)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions: Add the mint to the milk and 1 c of cream in a medium saucepan. Warm until tendrils of steam appear, then remove from heat and allow the mint to steep for 1 hour. Strain the mixture and discard the mint leaves. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks together. Reheat the infused milk mixture until warm; slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks, then scrape this mixture back into the saucepan. Mix constantly over medium heat, scraping the bottom as you stir until the spatula is coated. Strain the mixture and add the remaining cream, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla. Chill in the fridge, then churn.
Notes:Walnuts are probably really good in this (maple walnut is definitely A Thing) but I've never done this.

Coconut Mocha Ice Cream (vegan)
1 2/3 regular coconut milk (1 400 mL can)
1 1/3 lite coconut milk (a little less than a can!)
2/3 c white sugar
Pinch of salt (1/8 tsp-ish)
3 tbsp cocoa powder
5 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli are vegan if you care about that sort of thing)
1 packet instant coffee (a little sachet, Starbucks VIA or similar)
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tbsp creme de cacao
Directions: Combine the regular coconut milk with the sugar and salt, and heat over medium-high heat until it begins to come to a boil. Add the cocoa powder and whisk quickly for 30 seconds, still at a boil, then remove from heat and pour the hot mixture over the chocolate chips. Mix thoroughly until all of the chocolate has been melted. Add the instant coffee, lite coconut milk, vanilla, and creme de cacao and mix thoroughly. Chill in the fridge, then churn.
Notes: I find it's *always* worth buying the premium brand coconut milk. Thai Kitchen is a good one. Basically, check the ingredients: if there are any thickeners in it, it's fine for curry but no good for ice cream. You need something that gets its thickness from the fat.

Banoffee Ice Cream Pie
Graham cracker pie crust (pre-made store-bought is fine!)
1 can toffee (you make this by boiling 1 unopened can of sweetened condensed milk for 3 hours. You boil the can. BOIL. THE. CAN.)
Roasted banana ice cream (recipe from David Lebovitz here)
Whipped cream (homemade or Redi Whip!)
Directions: Pour the toffee into the pie shell. Stick it in the freezer. Once the banana ice cream has been churned, pour it directly into the pie pan above the toffee and spread it evenly. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, add the whipped cream on top. BOOM.
posted by duffell at 4:02 PM on September 25, 2016 [2 favorites]

Ack. On the last recipe, that's boil the toffee, not coffee.
posted by duffell at 4:18 PM on September 25, 2016

One more comment for tonight. I hastily took some photos, shortly before we left. Here they are.
posted by duffell at 5:39 PM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

We had a great time, and your Blueberry thing was firmly on the rails, duffel.

there's an official place to make photos available at top right
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:53 PM on September 25, 2016

Recipe for the Pear-Walnut Cookies to Befriend the Maple-Mint Ice Cream:

Pear Flavoring:
5 Anjou pears, as ripe as possible (probably other pears would be fine too but this is what I used)
Pear juice (it turns out they just sell this in the juice aisle)
Some cinnamon and nutmeg, whatever

Cookies:
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

1) Peel, core, and dice the pears. Put them in a saucepan and add just enough juice to cover them (this will still be a lot of juice). Add cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium/medium low and simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally and sometimes kind of whacking them with a potato masher. While you're doing this is a good time to toast the walnuts (350 degrees for five to ten minutes until they are brown and nutty and smell nice).

2) When the pears have been cooking for an hour, take them out and strain them and mash them in the strainer so you get as much juice out as possible (save the juice in case this isn't clear). Hopefully it will be pearful and delicious. Keep the mashed pears in case you want to add some of them later.

3) Cream butter and both sugars together. Add the vanilla and all of the pear juice you strained out and stir well. Add everything else (including the now toasted walnuts) and mix it all together. If you want and the flavor hasn't been cooked out of them, you can add some of the mashed pears from the strainer. They kind of evaporate in the cookies and leave neat pear-flavored air pockets, sort of. If you do use any of this, make sure you mix them super well.

4) Bake them on a baking sheet (PARCHMENT PAPER! THE BEST THING!); they definitely spread so don't put them too close together. Cook at 350 for like eight minutes for very little cookies and twelve minutes for bigger cookies or until they're brown around the edges, you're an adult, you can figure out when the cookies are done for yourself.

5) Let them cool and then apparently do NOT put them all together in a ziploc because they will fuse and you will feel like a fool when you attend an ice cream social with one enormous cookie.

6) Enjoy!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:05 AM on September 26, 2016 [3 favorites]

Added my photos. Recipe to follow.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:15 PM on September 26, 2016

Vegan Chocolate (Chipotle) Ice Cream (PDF)

4 oz. dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Chips recommended)

Mixture #1:
3/4 c. water

1/2 c. corn syrup

1 tsp. vanilla

Optional: 1 1/2 Tbsp. amaretto, Frangelico, Kahlua, or other coffee, chocolate or nut liqueur

Mixture #2:
1 c. water

3/4 c. commercial soymilk, almond milk or hemp milk

1/2 c. raw cashew pieces

1/2 c. unbleached sugar or Grade A maple syrup

1/4 c. Dutch cocoa powder (unsweetened)

1 Tbsp. tapioca starch or instant tapioca

1/4 tsp. salt


Optional: 1 dried chipotle plus chipotle powder to taste

—

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering hot water. Keep melted over the hot water but off the heat.

Combine mixture #1 in a blender until well-mixed, then set aside in a bowl.

Blend mixture #2 in a blender until it is very smooth and frothy (make sure that it is not grainy at all). Place this mixture in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, and stir over medium-high heat until thickened.*

Whisk mixture #1 into cooked mixture #2, along with the melted chocolate. Chill the mixture and then freeze according to the directions for your ice cream machine. Scoop into a 1-quart plastic container, cover, and freeze for several hours before serving.

Chipotle Version: soak the chipotle for 15 minutes in 1 c. hot water and add both to mixture #2 instead of the 1 c. plain water. After cooking, taste for heat and add chipotle powder as needed.

*If your blender is powerful enough, e.g., it came with recipes for blending and cooking soup in the container, you can thicken mixture #2 in the blender until it steams, 5–6 minutes or so. Dump mixture #1 and the melted chocolate into the blender, whiz for 30 seconds and transfer to a bowl to chill.

—

Makes 1 quart

Per 1/2 cup serving: 253 calories; 3g protein; 9g fat; 40g carbohydrate; 0mg cholesterol

Modified from a recipe in Nonna’s Italian Kitchen by Bryanna Clark Grogan (The Book Publishing Company, 1998) ISBN1-57067-055-2
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:59 PM on September 26, 2016 [3 favorites]

So EvaD, are you fully recovered?
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:29 PM on September 28, 2016

Here's the pumpkin mochi cake recipe.
posted by capricorn at 12:09 PM on October 4, 2016

I'm doing much better, Johnny Wallflower, thanks!
posted by EvaDestruction at 12:25 PM on October 4, 2016

I already made duffell's banoffee ice cream pie for a work thing! It turned out great, those are perfect instructions. I've also made capricorn's amazing pumpkin mochi....mochiko is available at the Hana Japanese Market at 17th and U if you can't find it elsewhere.

The Negroni sorbet is a riff on David Lebovitz's Grapefruit and Champagne Sorbet, from his book The Perfect Scoop.

1/3 cup Campari
1/3 cup sweet vermouth (I have made this with both sweet and dry vermouth because I wasn't paying attention the first time. It's fine).
2/3 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups grapefruit juice (from a carton is fine. I think ruby red grapefruit juice is the best but I've made it with regular and it still turns out an attractive bright pink)
1 orange (optional)

Mix the campari, vermouth, and water together. Combine half of that with all of the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and remove from the heat. Pour in the rest of the boozy water and all of the grapefruit juice. Stir. Chill completely (overnight is best) and churn according to your machine's instructions. While churning, zest the orange into the sorbet (this is for the orange slice garnish, I'm not sure how much flavor it adds but it looks very pretty).
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:01 PM on October 4, 2016 [3 favorites]