The History of Sorbet

While the origins of sorbet are somewhat murky, most historians believe that the earliest form of sorbet dates back to ancient Rome, when Emperor Nero directed that snow be carried down from the mountaintops, then mixed with honey and wine for him to enjoy. There are also mentions in the Bible of King Solomon enjoying iced drinks during harvest season. Alexander the Great of ancient Greece often partook in icy drinks flavored with honey or wine. During Medieval times, Arabs often drank an icy refreshment called sharabt, which was flavored with cherry, pomegranate, or quince. These drinks eventually caught on among the European aristocracy, first in Italy and then in France. In the 17th century, these drinks were made into frozen desserts. Antonio Latini, who at the time was working in Naples under the employ of a Spanish Viceroy, is widely credited with inventing sorbet. Notably, he is also thought to be the first person to write down a formal recipe for sorbetto (Italian sorbet). Additionally, Latini created a milk-based sorbet, which historians generally consider to be the first modern ice cream. Reportedly, his recipes for sorbet included a variety of flavors such as lemon, cinnamon, strawberry, cherry, and even pine nut. Sorbet (and its creamy cousin, ice cream) were served at upscale cafés for several centuries, but were generally reserved for the wealthy. In fact, neither frozen dessert truly took off until refrigeration was invented, which made them more widely available and far more affordable. Although ice cream is more well-known, sorbet is very popular in many parts of the world, including many parts of the United States. Today, sorbet is offered as a refreshing, non-dairy option at many ice cream parlors and can also be found in pre-packaged containers in the frozen food section of most grocery stores.